Alan Shearer believes Joe Willock is getting back to the form which earned him a summer move to Newcastle United.
The former Arsenal midfielder scored his first goal of the season as Eddie Howe's side extended their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw at West Ham on Saturday.
Willock's instinctive finish on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Craig Dawson's header, and ensures the Magpies remain four points clear of the relegation zone.
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It has been a difficult season to date for the 22-year-old, with injuries and the lack of a pre-season meaning the midfielder was not guaranteed a starting spot under former head coach Steve Bruce and interim boss Graeme Jones.
Howe initially paired Willock with Jonjo Shelvey in a midfield two, but the form of Joelinton alongside them in recent weeks in a new role has prevented January signing Bruno Guimaraes from being handed a start so far.
Match of the Day pundit Shearer praised Newcastle's display in the capital, and singled out Willock for adding that 'little bit of magic' needed up front.
He told the BBC One highlights show: "It was a really good team performance, but he gave them that little bit of quality.
"You can see he is without doubt getting back to the form he showed at the end of last season. He seems to be enjoying his football again.
"Very comfortable on the ball, making runs into the box and expressing himself in the way he feels confident enough to do that.
"The way he smells this goal out really, anticipating the mistake and it's Declan Rice who does make the mistake. But look at the way he gets in there, the mistake comes there with the header but the way he reacts to be the first to get on the end of it, and that's such a clever finish for him.
"For Newcastle, that was the minimum they deserved today. It was a really good team performance, and he added that little bit of magic that they needed in that final third."
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