The Newcastle United media round-up after the Magpies jump out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.
'Turned a corner?'
Alistair Magowan of BBC Sport heaped praise on Newcastle's 'well-oiled' midfield unit after an impressive performance against Everton.
Allan Saint-Maximin was among the standout performers for the Magpies, on an evening where the Toon looked to have 'turned a corner.'
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Magowan said: "Newcastle fans have had their hopes tested and their nerves frayed over the course of the season which has ebbed and flowed following the club's £305m takeover in October.
"But back-to-back wins and exiting the bottom three for the first time since the autumn led to celebrations at the full-time whistle, which felt like a corner had been turned.
"In the win against Leeds before their trip to Saudi Arabia, Howe's side had to hang on, but this was a much-improved display compared to 17 days ago, and they could and should have scored more.
"The Newcastle boss said his team were a fitter outfit after returning from their training camp in Saudi Arabia and it showed.
"They pressed Everton from the start, leading to errors in the visitors' backline, and although there was disappointment that new signing Guimaraes did not start after his £40m move from Lyon, the hosts' midfield was a well-oiled unit.
"Even though Newcastle went behind in the most unfortunate circumstances to Lascelles' own goal, it said much about the captain that he played a key part in the equaliser, especially after coming under pressure from new signing Dan Burn.
"Crucially, it meant that Newcastle were behind for less than two minutes, and they should have gone ahead before half-time when Chris Wood wasted a free header and Joelinton somehow slipped with the goal at his mercy after more wizardry from Saint-Maximin.
"But the French winger continued to show his star quality after the break when he dribbled through the Everton defence before his lofted cross made its way to Fraser, who sent Howe and the majority of the supporters wild.
"There was a crowning moment still to come, however. Trippier, Newcastle's first signing of the transfer window and a statement signing in many regards, stepped up to fire in a delicious free-kick to give the home fans breathing space and an exultant feeling that Premier League survival looks more likely."
'A real class act'
Martin Samuel of The Daily Mail was also full of praise for Eddie Howe's side, with particular emphasis on January signing, Kieran Trippier.
The former Atletico Madrid full-back rounded off the scoring with a sublime free-kick, but England international has been a 'class act' since arriving at St. James' Park.
"This is what they paid the money for," said Samuel.
"Salvation. Survival. The chance to do it all again next season, against most of the same teams. Will this fixture be part of the calendar in 2022-23? That is what we do not know. And it may be more a question for Everton than Newcastle now.
"Neither are in the bottom three, as it stands. Yet they are travelling in different directions unless Frank Lampard can affect change, and soon. He needs a stadium as united as this one, and players who will fight as Newcastle’s did when they went a goal down in the first-half. Newcastle are scrappy now. They are out of the bottom three for the first time since September on the back of two straight wins.
"Yes, that is partly due to owner investment – certainly Kieran Trippier looks a brilliant signing – but Eddie Howe has spoken of this team coming together and here was the evidence. They responded immediately to Everton’s opener, and were the much better side after half-time. Everton’s only mitigation was the steady trickle of debilitating injuries; first Demarai Gray, then Yerry Mina, finally Andre Gomes. Even so, this was lame.
"From Newcastle, it wasn’t always pretty, not always silky and at times rather tense. That is what the threat of relegation does to a team. Yet Newcastle were well worth their win. It vindicates their transfer window policy, and most importantly sucks Everton ever closer to the bottom three, and the void below.
"It can be claimed they were fortunate to keep 11 on the pitch when Jonjo Shelvey committed a horrible first-half foul on Anthony Gordon. Yet there was plenty of time in the game for Everton to address that injustice and Newcastle’s advantage, secured in the 56th minute. They did not.
"Newcastle were the better team, created the best chances and, having gone a goal down, showed enormous spirit to come back to win, particularly in the second-half. That was when, attacking the Gallowgate End, they pinned Everton back and scored twice. Good goals, too. The first of them a little scrappy, but the second a cracker through Trippier.
"He was the most impressive of their January recruits and this was a return to the form we remember for Tottenham and England. The same could not be said for Dele Alli, alas, largely anonymous and not catching the eye with his work ethic, either. Trippier was back to his best. Not only did he score, he was involved in many of Newcastle’s best opportunities. He was their finest player on the night, a real class act."
'Brightest light in Howe's attacking firmament'
Louise Taylor of the Guardian believes Allan Saint-Maximin remains Eddie Howe's best hope of Premier League survival.
Taylor said:"Eddie Howe welcomed five new signings to Tyneside last month but, impressively as three of them performed here, Newcastle’s manager received a reminder that a player he inherited remains the brightest light in his attacking firmament.
"Allan Saint-Maximin’s extraordinary powers of improvisation and incision turned Frank Lampard’s Premier League debut as Everton manager into a deeply uncomfortable experience which leaves his new side balanced precariously on the edge of real relegation trouble.
"Thanks not only to Saint Maximin’s deconstruction of the visiting defence but excellent displays from Howe’s new full-backs, the outstanding Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett, Newcastle won their third game of the season, hauling themselves out of the bottom three and up to 17th. Ominously for Lampard, Everton sit one point and one place higher...
"As an adrenaline suffused Howe swivelled on his heels, pumped his fists and urged Newcastle fans to “come on”, those home supporters yet again had reason to be grateful to Saint-Maximin.
"The French winger’s adhesive control in the tightest of areas had conjured Fraser’s first league goal in a Newcastle shirt and, for all that £90m plus January transfer spend, he remains the player most integral to his side’s survival chances."
