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Chris Knight

National media round-up as unlikely Newcastle United 'cult hero' stars in Norwich win

Joelinton grabbed the headlines with a brace on his 100th Premier League appearances as Newcastle United earned a comfortable win at Norwich City. Eddie Howe made four changes to the starting lineup, but two goals from the former number nine and a second-half strike from Bruno Guimaraes sealed a 3-0 victory at Carrow Road.

Here is a look at how the national media reported on Newcastle United's latest win:

'Fortunes have turned entirely' - Emlyn Begley, BBC Sport

"When these sides met in November, a 1-1 draw at St James' Park, Newcastle were bottom of the table with no wins from 14 games. No team had ever stayed up from that position.

READ MORE: Norwich's spiky £93m response as Dean Smith says Newcastle 'pretty much owned by a country'

"Norwich were three points and two places above them. But Newcastle's fortunes have turned entirely with the Saudi Arabian takeover, Howe's management and several big January signings.

"One of Howe's biggest successes has been changing Joelinton from a goal-shy striker to a combative midfielder - although he was back up front in this game as £25m Chris Wood was left on the bench.

"His first goal came when Norwich defenders failed to clear Saint-Maximin's pass after good wing play by Murphy, a goal which eventually stood after a video assistant referee check for a possible Murphy offside.

"Guimaraes sent Murphy and Joe Willock through with a lovely through ball - as both got in behind the Norwich defence - with Joelinton scoring from Murphy's ball at the back post.

"At one stage Newcastle fans were dreaming of 17th place and safety. Now they are 15 points clear of the relegation zone."

Newcastle's unlikely 'cult hero' - Kathryn Batte, Mail Online

"Few could have predicted that Joelinton, the man written off as a £40million flop, would become a cult hero at Newcastle. Two first-half goals at Carrow Road, on his 100th Premier League appearance, plus a Bruno Guimaraes strike moved the Magpies up to ninth and Norwich ever closer to relegation.

"The Brazilian was serenaded by the Newcastle fans at full-time, who had unveiled a banner before kick-off to mark his milestone match.

"Joelinton has reinvented himself under Howe. The 25-year-old was signed as a big-money striker in 2019. Goals were expected, but they did not come.

"He managed just four in his first season and two in the following campaign but he has thrived in a deeper role under Howe. On Saturday, however, he started up front as Chris Wood and Miguel Almiron were rested. But it was a tactical switch on the half hour mark, which saw Joelinton move to the left wing, that brought about his two goals before half-time."

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