Newcastle have already been 'paid back' transfer fee…

Newcastle have already been 'paid back' transfer fee that may just strengthen Eddie Howe's hand

Even Jean-Philippe Mateta could not help but applaud. It looked like the Crystal Palace substitute's snapshot was destined for the net, but Nick Pope had other ideas. The Newcastle United goalkeeper, somehow, tipped the ball over the bar.

It was the only save Pope had to make all night in Saturday's goalless draw at Selhurst Park, but it was a huge one late on. For all the possession, territory and shots Newcastle had - 16 efforts in total - this stop ultimately earned the Magpies a point in a game they might even have lost in a previous era without Pope.

Yet it was the kind of save that won't necessarily have come as a surprise to those who know Pope best, like former Burnley goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer.

"His sheer physicality is his biggest weapon," Mercer told ChronicleLive. "He's such a big boy and he just keeps the ball out of the net in different ways. His reactions and everything else are just so quick.

"Nick is a really good fella as well. That's probably one of the big things - he's so humble and down to earth. He wants to work hard and improve, and he's certainly doing that up at Newcastle."

Mercer is well-placed to comment. Mercer worked with Pope on a daily basis for nearly six years and Eddie Howe and assistant Jason Tindall felt moved to reach out to their former Burnley colleague to get the inside track on the England international. It goes without saying that they liked what they heard.

Pope has as good as paid back his £10m transfer fee and long justified Howe's bold call to bring in a new number one last summer, when Newcastle already had an established international in Martin Dubravka. In a way, it was the kind of move that could strengthen the Magpies boss' hand moving forward. Yes, Newcastle will continue to target players aged 25 and under on the continent, but the value of players who are 'ready to go' cannot be understated, either.

After all, before you even address Pope's ability to claim crosses or sweep up, no other goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets (12) in the Premier League this season or conceded fewer goals (11). You have to go back to August for the last time Pope even let in a goal in the first half. While Pope has been well-protected by a settled side in front of him - these players live for clean sheets and defend from the front - those are still remarkable numbers for a goalkeeper.

Pope has not been anywhere near as busy as he was during his time at Burnley, having 'only' having to make 51 saves in the top-flight this season, but the shot-stopper's 82.3% save ratio is, tellingly, the best in the top-flight. Your eyes tell you as much and, when called upon, Pope has produced a number of game-defining moments.

Some of those saves have helped Newcastle earn crucial points and it is not a coincidence that Pope has stepped up in the second half of so many games this season, whether it was clawing away Adam Lallana's header at Brighton; tipping Erling Haaland's effort onto the post against Man City; keeping out Leeds star Rodrigo's long-range effort; or denying Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah with his feet late on at the Emirates.

No wonder Kieran Trippier told Sky Sports on Saturday that it was a 'joy to have him in our team'. On the rare occasion opposition forwards manage to get in behind Trippier and Newcastle's backline, as a whole, they now know they still have to get past the towering Pope. That is no easy task as Mateta found on Saturday much to Howe's delight.

"I’ve got to say that his levels and performances right through this season have been of the highest quality," the Newcastle boss told reporters. "This save was probably one of the best I’ve seen him make, to be honest. It was a top save. He had nothing to do apart from that one moment and that’s the sign of a very good goalkeeper."

Newcastle have already been 'paid back' transfer fee that may just strengthen Eddie Howe's hand

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