Shay Given has praised Anthony Gordon's second-half cameo for Newcastle United against West Ham. Neither side were able to find decisive goal that would have secured all three points after Callum Wilson and Lucas Paqueta scored in the first-half.
Eddie Howe gave Allan Saint-Maximin an opportunity to impress against the Hammers, but he struggled to make an impact and was replaced by Gordon on the 69th minute. Roared on by the St. James' Park faithful, Gordon looked bright and showed some bright moments to get Newcastle on the front foot.
He played Wilson through just minutes after coming on, but the Magpies number nine was stopped in his tracks by Nayef Aguerd. The result means it's four draws in their last five games in the Premier League, but former Newcastle goalkeeper, Given, felt that was in part, due to the Carabao Cup highs in midweek.
READ MORE: 'Frustrating' Allan Saint-Maximin told to stake his claim in Newcastle starting XI
Given told Sky Sports: "I suppose it [the high in midweek] is a little bit [of a factor], such highs in midweek, getting to a Wembley cup final, there’s a lot of excitement around the city, but then West Ham you’ve got to give them credit as well. A poor start to the game but at the end of the first half and the start of the second half I thought they were the better team.
"Newcastle - towards the back end, you know the latter part of the game - I think Anthony Gordon made a big difference when he came off the bench so there is some positives for Eddie Howe not to lose the game. That’s important as well, and to keep that unbeaten run going.
"You’d love to have won the game, of course you would, but must not lose it and again, the lads look a little bit low and a little bit down after the game. Obviously with the highs of the other night, but again it’s a point gained on the board."
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp was also impressed with Gordon, adding: "Good debut, really good cameo, he came on and showed what he’s about.
"He’s got tremendous pace and he definitely gave them something completely different - Saint-Maximin really struggled in that first half. They also missed Guimaraes in that midfield, he’s a really important player in there for them.
"They miss that quality and they miss that guile when he’s not in the team, but it’s still an unbeaten run. As disappointing as it’ll feel, they’re playing so well - it’s just the disappointment of not getting the three points that you want."
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