Alan Shearer has included Newcastle stars Matt Targett and Joe Willock in his latest Premier League Team of the Week.
Eddie Howe’s side fell short of winning a fourth game in a row against West Ham United down in London.
The teams played out a 1-1 draw, which is a decent result for the Magpies given the season the Hammers have had so far.
They are pushing for European football, and have enjoyed some great form under David Moyes in his second spell in charge.
Newcastle fell behind to a Craig Dawson header, and showed good character to get back into it.
And it was Willock who was on hand to pounce on a mistake by Declan Rice.
The 22-year-old flicked home from a tight angle, with the balling just rolling over the line after clipping the post.
That was his first of the season, and it was what his performance on the day deserved.
Of him, Shearer said (via official Premier League): “His first goal of the season was reward for a performance full of running and quality.”
There was also some really good defending on show from the visitors.
Targett, 26, was back in the starting XI after being ineligible to face Aston Villa the weekend before.
He was solid as anything on his second appearance for the club against an in-form Jarrod Bowen, and there are early calls for Newcastle to get him signed up permanently this summer.
Shearer added: “Utterly reliable at the back and gave everything for the Newcastle United shirt.”
Targett looks solid and Willock has arrived, as Alan Shearer names Team of the Week
Both players deserve the acknowledgement from Shearer here.
Targett did not put a foot wrong against the Irons. He is already looking like a very shrewd addition to the starting XI.
As for Willock, he really has stepped up in recent weeks. Perhaps the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes has something to do with the upturn.
Whatever the reason, Toon fans will be praying for similar levels of performance going forwards.
He did not have a good first half of the season, and hopefully he can finish strongly now.
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