‘Better than Gayle’: Some Newcastle fans hail 18-year-old striker

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Newcastle United fans have been praising Magpies academy striker Dylan Stephenson.

The 18-year-old scored a brace against Sunderland’s Under-23s in Monday’s Premier League 2 Tyne-Wear derby.

Stephenson took his Newcastle U23 tally for the season to a staggering 11 goals and two assists from 16 games.

The Blyth-born forward opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, turning in the box and rifling home.

Sunderland had already gone down to ten men at this point, Patrick Almond earning a red card on 16 minutes.

Stephenson then doubled the Newcastle tally late on, the striker slotting home from a rebound.

The result keeps the Magpies second-string close to the Division Two playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Newcastle senior team also has cause for celebration following their first win of the season.

Eddie Howe’s charges ran out 1-0 winners over Burnley at St James’ Park last Saturday.

Now, some Newcastle fans reckon Howe should call the talented striker up to the seniors:

Stephenson signed his first professional contract at Newcastle just last summer.

He made his Magpies U23s debut at the age of just 16 after featuring for Newcastle’s second-string during their 2019-20 Checkatrade Trophy campaign.

Stephenson looks to have a very bright future – and with Newcastle also having high hopes following their takeover, it looks as though both parties have an exciting journey ahead of them.