Alan Shearer left seriously impressed by three Newcastle players on Saturday

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Despite making changes to his side, Eddie Howe watched Newcastle United put Crystal Palace to the sword on Saturday.

Picking up where they left off prior the international break, Newcastle ran out 4-0 winners at St James’ Park, proving no match for a Palace team who boasted a strong defensive record prior to kick-off.

Indeed, Howe’s side warmed up for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday in fantastic fashion, with a number of key players impressing.

Speaking on Match of the Day, club legend Alan Shearer picked out three names in particular.

Newcastle news: Alan Shearer names the three players who seriously impressed him on Saturday

Shearer paid special mention to Kieran Trippier, Jacob Murphy and Sean Longstaff.

Murphy and Trippier in particular were the subject of praise from pundit Paul Merson too after their connection down the right flank led to the first goal.

Still, Shearer was also keen to mention Longstaff in that.

“It was a really impressive performance today all over the park, but particularly down their right-hand side with Murphy, Trippier and Longstaff. They absolutely battered Crystal Palace down that side, Tyrick Mitchell had no help whatsoever,” he said.

“The play between the three of them, the understanding…when to run, how to run, the timing of the run and then the balls into the box I thought were absolutely superb. They created so many chances, and 50% of their play came down that right-hand side.”

Newcastle news: Eddie Howe has selection headaches

Though Miguel Almiron will surely push for a starting role against Dortmund given just how well he played against Paris Saint-Germain, Howe does have options.

The Newcastle manager has made little secret of his love of Murphy’s reliability and did start him away at AC Milan to kick off the Champions League campaign in the first place.

With Anthony Gordon almost a certainty to start on the left given the fact Harvey Barnes is injured, at least there are more options on the right.

It’s getting to the point where it doesn’t matter who starts between Murphy and Almiron. Howe has coached both to a level where they can make a genuine impact.

Who’d have thought that a few years ago?