‘Incredible’: Eddie Howe blown away by what 22-year-old Newcastle player did in the final minutes last night

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Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are on a roll in the Premier League at the moment and although Joe Willock didn’t score against Southampton last night, he was worthy of the Man Of The Match award.

The Magpies travelled to the south coast to face a tricky Saints side. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are capable of beating any club in the country and they took the lead last night as well.

However, a brilliant header from Chris Wood in the first half and an incredible finish from Bruno Guimaraes after the break proved to be enough for Newcastle to take all three points.

What was more important than the two goals, however, was Willock’s match-saving block in the final minutes of the game.

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Eddie Howe loved what Newcastle star Joe Willock did v Southampton

In the 95th minute of the game last night, Che Adams had a glorious chance to level the scores from close range. Willock, however, was having none of that as he put his body on the line to save what would’ve been a certain goal.

Howe, unsurprisingly, was impressed and he raved about the 22-year-old.

He told Newcastle’s official website: “It (the tackle) epitomises Joe’s rapid change really, in the sense that when we came in he had injuries and was struggling for fitness and rhythm. But, he’s got better and better.

“Athletically tonight, he was incredible, he really was. He was end to end, he was playing slightly further forward and it helped his performance.

“That tackle at the end, I’m going to really enjoy watching it back with him because that made a difference for the team. That could be the difference between three points and one. Full credit to him.”

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Willock was a star for Newcastle in the back end of last season when he was on loan from Arsenal. The Magpies paid big money for him in the summer to make that deal permanent and he was viewed as a great signing by many.

However, the 22-year-old, much like his teammates, struggled at the start of this campaign. He just couldn’t have the impact that he did last season, but things have changed since Howe’s appointment.

Willock has been absolutely brilliant recently and his performance last night, albeit without a goal, was absolutely incredible. He will only get better under Howe in the coming weeks and months.

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