Joe Willock steps out of the shadows to become…

Joe Willock steps out of the shadows to become Newcastle's hero to light Champions League ambition

There is always a hero for the locals to sing about. Ask super fan Mark Knopfler! Sometimes it has been Callum Wilson, then it became goal-a-game Miggy Almiron, and now it is 'Little Joe' Willock.

The Cockney Kid, who came up here to become a star, dismantled Chelsea to take Newcastle into the World Cup break living amid the dizzy heights of the Premier League's top three. Exactly a year ago we were down among the dead men in 19th place having just set an all-time club record for their longest-ever winless start to a season covering 11 matches.

I mean, does it get better than this? I cannot wait to find out. Willock, who first burst among us as a regular net finder when on loan, had dried up in front of goal but now he is back where he belongs.

Always a favourite of Eddie Howe even if he played under the radar, Wor Joe has scored vastly contrasting goals in United's last two league wins.

At Southampton it was a lung bursting run to get onto a terrific Kieran Trippier pass but this time it was a lashed scorcher to top off a man of the match performance.

Honestly the game was played at such a hectic pace with United's high pressing disorientating Chelsea that I became exhausted just watching it. The 52,000 fans bought into what was happening and played their part in a memorable victory.

United have every right to be where they are - just two points behind champions Manchester City. The players are a credit to themselves and their manager, the deserved darlings of the fans.

They have proved they can live with the big boys. They have drawn with Man City, drawn at Manchester United, won at Spurs, and beaten Chelsea. Their only defeat, by the narrowest of margins, was at Liverpool when eight minutes of injury time was found from somewhere.

What is more, United's latest achievement was manufactured without top gun Callum Wilson in their starting line up. That has normally been the kiss of death, in terms of winning if not drawing, but not here.

Still, we wondered where the goal would come from and it took over an hour to find out but, my, it was worth the wait. Almiron is in such a rich form of goalscoring that he was running across Chelsea's 18-yard line looking for an opportunity to shoot. Willock, though, was having none of it.

As Almiron scampered across his toes, Joe decided enough was enough. He struck a vicious shot which without the rigging would have flown down Gallowgate and straight into the Tyne.

United do things collectively these days of course and just a minute before Willock raised the roof Nick Pope produced a stunning stop from Conor Gallagher. How unjust a Chelsea goal then would have been.

Once Newcastle had edged ahead the meanest defence in the Premier League was never going to sacrifice hard earned baubles and so it turned out. Chelsea showed plenty of fight on the final whistle. Pity for them they failed to do so earlier.

There is no question that United could do without the World Cup poking its nose into Geordie affairs because they just want to keep the momentum going but Howe is a positive manager and he will take the good bits from this enforced break.

It is hard to keep playing week in week out at the intense level that United utilise with their relentless press and so a rest for an awful lot of players like Almiron, Joelinton, Botman, Burn, Willock, and Longstaff who can recharge their batteries plus the £60m return of Alexander Isak can be a significant plus along with the January transfer window.

What can United achieve this season? The Champions League? Why not. The League Cup? Certainly. Let us aim high. Shy bairns get nowt!

After all, neutrals talked incessantly of Leicester blowing up but they just kept going and won the title against the mightiest of odds.

Joe Willock steps out of the shadows to become Newcastle's hero to light Champions League ambition

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