Amazon commentator blown away by £40m Newcastle player’s work-rate tonight

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Commentator Lucy Ward has revealed what she’s been most impressed by from Newcastle United’s Joelinton against Everton on Thursday despite the result.

Newcastle were very poor against Everton in their 3-0 defeat to the Toffees, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom as Joelinton certainly impressed in spells.

Speaking on commentary for Amazon, Lucy Ward revealed how impressed she’s been by Joelinton’s work rate on a night where he again showed why he’s one of Eddie Howe’s star players.

Joelinton’s work rate has been key for Newcastle this season

To play in an Eddie Howe team you have to have an unbelievable work rate anyway, but Joelinton takes that to a whole new level for his manager.

When he’s out injured, Newcastle have missed the Brazilian international’s physical presence in that midfield and how dominant he can be both in and out of possession.

Against Everton, Joelinton again showed why he’s so key for Newcastle with his work rate off the ball, making sure he’s tracking back and helping out his defence in what was a tough night for the Magpies, especially in the second half.

Although Everton were far superior on the night when it came to putting the ball in the back of the net, Ward still felt the need to comment on Joelinton’s presence in the middle of the field.

During the game, Ward said: “Joelinton out of possession is unbelievable for Newcastle. Puts a lot of work in, tracks his runners. He has to put a lot of work in, has played a lot of minutes recently.”

Joelinton exemplifies what Eddie Howe wants in this team

By now we’re all too familiar with the zero to hero story for Joelinton since Howe came in, but it really is a remarkable turnaround in form and something absolutely nobody could have predicted.

Howe has built a squad of players who will fight and challenge for every ball, putting their bodies on the line every week despite knowing that there are no players to come in to replace them due to the current injury crisis.

Joelinton is certainly no exception to that rule and is in fact the embodiment of the type of character the boss wants a Newcastle team full of, and his grit and determination showed in the game against Everton.

Despite the result, the 27-year-old can hold his head high and move on to two big games against Tottenham and AC Milan in which the players will have to dig deep and find some energy to go again.