Alan Shearer has heaped praise on Joe Willock after he scored his first goal of the season in Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw at West Ham United this afternoon.
The Magpies started the game on the front foot but found themselves behind when Craig Dawson headed home from Aaron Cresswell’s free-kick.
However, Newcastle equalised on the stroke of half time as Declan Rice’s mistake allowed Willock to steer a shot which bounced off the post and rolled over the line.
It was a battling performance from the Magpies, who were missing Allan Saint-Maximim, and they held out for a deserved point at the London Stadium.
The result sees Newcastle extend their unbeaten run to five matches and sit six points above the relegation zone with 14 matches of the season to play.
Meanwhile, West Ham were looking to move back into the Champions League places but a determined display from Eddie Howe’s side stopped them in their tracks.
Shearer was certainly impressed by the Magpies and admitted it was a ‘battling’ effort from the team to come away with something.
Speaking on Twitter, Shearer said: “A very good all round battling, together team performance, added with a piece of brilliance from @Joewillock #toonarmy #NUFC #WHUNEW.”
Before that, Shearer was very complementary of the 23-year-old after he found the scoresheet for the first time since he joined on a permanent deal for £25million from Arsenal in the summer.
The midfielder has impressed in recent weeks, but has been criticised for not replicating a similar level to what he produced in front of goal during his loan spell last term.
This could be a boost for Willock, though, and Shearer further praised him, claiming that he was the best player on the pitch in the first half.
He added: “Gettttt innnnnn @Joewillock.
“Best player on the pitch in that first half @Joewillock.”
Newcastle will be hoping to build on that performance when they take on Brentford next weekend.
