Harrison Ashby and Ryan Fraser both scored as Newcastle United U21s earned their first league win since October. The young Magpies squandered an early three-goal lead, but a fine Lewis Miley strike sealed a 4-3 victory over Norwich City at Little Benton.
Ben Dawson named four changes from the side who played out a goalless draw with Middlesbrough at St James' Park last time out. Ashby and Fraser were both joined in the starting eleven by Nathan Carlyon and Michael Ndiweni, with Jamie Miley dropping to the bench and Ben Parkinson and Ciaran Thompson dropping to the bench.
The young Magpies flew out of the traps and raced into a three-goal lead before the half-hour mark. Ashby and Fraser combined well for the winger to open the scoring, with the January signing doubling the lead minutes later.
Diallo thundered in the third via the crossbar, but Norwich soon clawed their way back into the contest through Fin Welch and an Abu Kamara penalty. Three minutes after the restart, the Canaries were level after Welch pounced on a loose clearance to beat Max Thompson once again.
Both sides pushed for a winner, but it was Miley who proved to be the match winner. The 16-year-old, who is enjoying a memorable season with his boyhood club, curled a fine effort beyond the reach of Joe Rose to seal a valuable victory.
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Here are three things we learned from Newcastle U21s 4-3 win over the Canaries at Little Benton Academy on Monday afternoon.
£3m bargain?
This was Ashby's first game since November due to injuries and a contract standoff in the capital. It wasn't a faultless display, but it is safe to say the 21-year-old made an impact in front of Eddie Howe who was watching on with his first-team staff.
The former West Ham prospect shone in possession, and created Fraser's opener with an impressive crossfield pass following a smart interchange with Lewis Miley. Minutes later, the full-back marked his return with a goal after drilling a low long-range effort into the corner of the net.
These were clearly much-needed minutes for Ashby, who was not without blame in a shaky defensive display from the hosts. The mid-season arrival could bank more valuable playing time as the U21s wrap up their season next week against basement side Derby County.
However, there was a lot to like from this first showing in a black-and-white shirt. Ashby is evidently talented on the ball, and was not shy to push forward and create chances.
Kieran Trippier is an obvious obstacle for Ashby's current first-team prospects, although the new recruit has already stressed his desire to learn from the Magpies stand-in skipper. Time is likely against the full-back forcing his way into the senior squad in the final month or so, but this 62-minute display was more than encouraging.
Fraser's comeback
Ashby was not the only headline inclusion in the Magpies starting eleven. Having been banished by Howe to train with the U21s for the foreseeable future, this was Fraser's first outing with the academy side.
Dawson previously praised the wantaway winger's conduct since his demotion, and suggested he would not shy away from calling upon him. Questions have again been raised externally over Fraser's attitude and conduct, but the 29-year-old showed his quality with a committed display.
The former Bournemouth star kicked off the seven-goal thriller with a fine strike, cutting in from the left wing to fire beyond Joe Rose. Fraser regularly linked up well with Matt Bondswell on the overlap, and came close to netting a second after the restart.
Howe was uncharacteristically firm when outlining Fraser's prospects, indicating he saw no way back into the fold for the player. This performance won't change that stance, but the winger's application can't be questioned on account of this display.
Sunderland incentive
Playoffs are a distant memory for Newcastle, but this is still a welcome win for Dawson's side. They remain ninth in the table, but it does open the door for the Magpies to leapfrog arch-rivals Sunderland with one fixture remaining.
The Black Cats claimed bragging rights with a 2-1 derby victory in January at the Academy of Light. The reverse fixture at St James' Park in October ended in a controversial 1-1 draw, with goalkeeper Alex Bass equalising in added time with his hand.
The win over Norwich moves Newcastle level on points with Sunderland, but with a worse goal difference. Victory over Derby next Monday could see Dawson's side finish ahead of their rivals, who face West Brom layer tonight.
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