Newcastle United secured three huge points last night after beating Everton 3-1 in the Premier League.
The Magpies are now out of the relegation zone following a wonderful performance against the Toffees.
Newcastle produced an excellent display at St. James’ Park that combined attacking football with intense work rate.
Newcastle fell behind in the game thanks to a really unlucky own goal from Jamaal Lascelles, but the captain was on hand to help provide an equaliser within an instant, heading onto the crossbar with Mason Holgate then putting into his own net.
Ryan Fraser then gave Newcastle the lead, before Kieran Trippier scored a sublime free-kick without around 15 minutes to go.
It was a fantastic performance, especially in the second-half and there were two players in particular who put in colossal displays.
Lascelles and Joe Willock have both come in for heavy criticism this season.
The captain has largely had a poor campaign. And Willock has really underwhelmed after his free-scoring loan spell last season.
It was interesting to note that those two players in particular really stepped up their games last night, as new signings Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes watched from the bench.
Under pressure stars Lascelles and Willock shine for Newcastle against Everton
It felt as though Lascelles and Willock were really playing for their places last night.
Both players have left a lot to be desired so far this season.
But it’s amazing what can happen when a couple of new signings come in to increase the competition.
£13 million Burn (BBC Sport) didn’t get on at all last night, and then £42 million Bruno (Lyon official) came on right at the end when the points were secured.
Lascelles and Willock had played so well that there was simply no need for any of the newbies.
One wonders if their presence could be the catalyst for Lascelles and Willock to really kick on now.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
