Sean Longstaff returns to the scene of one of Newcastle United's most emphatic Premier League away wins of recent years this weekend - at Eddie Howe's old home Bournemouth.
It was a balmy July night when the Magpies romped to a 4-1 win over Howe's old team with Longstaff just starting to rediscover the goalscoring prowess that's always been there for the Geordie midfielder. That night - playing in an advanced attacking position - Longstaff casually swept his left-foot at Allan Saint-Maximin's cross from the byline and found the top corner, beating England goalie Aaron Ramsdale with a superb strike.
With no fans in the stadium and the goal accompanied by just the cheers of his team-mates, it should not go down as one of the Premier League's forgotten goals. Although, it was a far cry from his brilliant double against Southampton in front of 50,000 screaming Geordies last week!
READ MORE: Transfer dealmaker firms up AC Milan interest in Allan Saint-Maximin and why January move failed
If anything it was the type of finish that shows Longstaff still has an untapped supply of goals in front of him to add to his eight career goals at Newcastle. And he heads to the South Coast this weekend as the in form player in Howe's squad.
Longstaff then endured a rotten bit of luck and was injured three minutes later, barely featuring again during the "lockdown season" due to a hamstring injury. For Longstaff and then boss Steve Bruce it was certainly a case of happier times with the relationship between player and manager then eroding in 2020/21 and the Academy product only finding his top form under Howe.
Howe and Longstaff have now found their way back into a place where the midfielder is scoring and assisting. It's was little wonder that Longstaff scooped the internal player of the month award and was also nominated the trainer of the week during the head coach's sessions in the build-up to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Longstaff followed up his semi-final brace against the Saints with a perfectly pinged ball into the path of Callum Wilson in the 1-1 draw against West Ham. And Howe is delighted with the form of the former Blackpool and Kilmarnock loanee.
Howe said: "I think it's something we have been working on with players in that position. We need our attacking midfielders to score and create, and to get numbers, good productivity.
"Sean's all-round game has been at a really high level. I am just pleased that he's got the goals that confirms that for everybody else.
"They were two really good finishes, he timed his run really well into the box. I am really pleased with him on a personal level, I didn't realise he'd gone that long without scoring at St James' Park so a great moment for him and his family."
Were Longstaff to find another goal at Bournemouth this weekend, with fans present again at the Vitality Stadium and Howe now Toon boss, this time seeing Saint-Maximin and Longstaff strike up their old telepathy would be a moment everybody could enjoy.
Our 48-page Carabao Cup final special is available to pre-order now! Click HERE to get your copy as Newcastle United prepare for a historic day out at Wembley. Also available to purchase through local participating retailers from February 15.
