Jamaal Lascelles has had an incredibly tough season at Newcastle United.
He’s made crucial individual errors at times, leading to increased pressure from the stands.
There were calls for him to be replaced in January, with Eddie Howe reportedly targeting two new centre-backs.
But in the end only one arrived, with Dan Burn joining from Brighton. He could’ve made his debut on Tuesday night, available for the first time as a Newcastle player.
However, his debut was delayed due to a toe injury, meaning Fabian Schar and Lascelles continued at the heart of defence – the two players Howe had tried to replace with Sven Botman and Diego Carlos.
A lot of supporters wanted to see Burn replace Lascelles against Everton. There was disappointment when the starting XI was confirmed at 6.45pm. There were even some faint jeers when his name was read out at St James’ Park.
But captain Lascelles stood up and produced a potentially career-saving performance.
Jamaal Lascelles had a defining minute against Everton
It could’ve been a very different night for Lascelles. After 36 minutes, he inadvertently became the pantomime villain once again.
Following an Everton set piece, Matt Targett’s goal-line clearance clattered off Lascelles and into the Magpies’ net. The captain had scored an own goal, and, through no fault of his own, given the opposition the lead on a vital night.
It was gutting for him. Lascelles has been a key player since he truly emerged under Rafa Benitez, leading the side through a difficult time. His form hasn’t been great this season, made all the more infuriating due to his excellent performances in the past.
But he bounced back immediately on Tuesday night. Newcastle won a corner at the other end of the pitch, and Lascelles rose higher than anyone to smash a header off the underside bar and force a second own goal of the evening.
Newcastle were level, and it was thanks to the sheer determination of Lascelles.
From that moment, the skipper looked to be back. His efforts at the back ensured Everton barely got another sniff of goal, leading like the player we know he can be.
This was the Lascelles we fell in love with under Benitez
The 28-year-old managed to get most things right underneath the lights. His timing was impeccable, putting in some gloriously huge sliding challenges late in the second half that were celebrated as if they were a goal.
Lascelles even looked a bit more composed in possession too, which we all know isn’t his forte.
With the presence of Burn on the bench, Lascelles could easily have crumbled under the pressure. But instead he rose above it, and justified his selection.
New signings are raising standards at St James’ Park, and perhaps this is another example of that.
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