The Magpies came from 3-1 down to beat Norwich 4-3 .
Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring the fourth goal for Newcastle United
Newcastle completed a famous comeback against Norwich, scoring twice in stoppage time to beat Norwich 4-3.
The Magpies had took the lead in the first half, but found themselves 3-1 down after 69 minutes. Gayle responded immediately to make it 3-2, and goals in the 95th and 96th minute turned the game on its head and gave Newcastle victory.
After an incredible night at St James’ Park, here are five things we learned about Newcastle.
Newcastle have character
Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring the fourth goal for Newcastle United
Before the game against Norwich, Newcastle had gone behind three times this season and lost each time.
That all changed against the Canaries, and in spectacular fashion. Not knowing they were beaten, Newcastle scored in the 95th and 96th minute to win the game and complete an epic comeback.
This will be a defining night in Newcastle’s season, as it showed they can battle it out and come from behind when things aren’t going their way, which they weren’t for much of the second half.
Is it time to call upon Lazaar?
Picture Supplied by Action Images
On a positive night for Newcastle, it was another disappointing performance from Paul Dummett.
The left back was often guilty of giving the ball away, and the Geordie fans no longer have any patience for the 24-year-old. The way Newcastle play suits attacking full backs, and Dummett just is not that kind of player.
This could provide an opening for summer signing Achraf Lazaar, who has only appeared once in black and white, playing in the EFL Cup victory over Wolves.
Lazaar could offer the threat going forward Newcastle need down the left, but he will need to prove he is as defensively competent as Dummett.
Gayle is worthy of the number nine
Dwight Gayle scores the first goal for Newcastle United
Having started brightly for Newcastle, the goals had began to dry up for Dwight Gayle.
After his hat-trick against Norwich, the new number nine now has seven goals this season, and he could certainly be the league’s top scorer come the end of the season.
Gayle worked non-stop on Wednesday night, and his hard work paid off. The striker needs to match the expectations that come with wearing the Newcastle number nine, and against Norwich he showed why he is a worthy occupant of the shirt.
The Magpies still need to be more clinical
Dwight Gayle of Newcastle United shoots at goal
All of the headlines will be about Newcastle’s incredible comeback, but they could have and should have been out of sight before half time.
Just like they did against Aston Villa, the Magpies missed a host of chances, and it looked like they were going to be punished, ending up 3-1 down in a game that they had totally dominated.
Newcastle aren’t going to be able to complete epic comebacks every week, so they need to start taking their chances early and kill off the opposition before they get a whiff of a way back into the game.
Norwich weren’t great at St James’ Park, but they nearly left Tyneside with all three points because of Newcastle’s poor finishing in the first half.
Polarising Mitrovic can cause chaos in the Championship
Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring the fourth goal for Newcastle United
There is no doubt about it, Aleksandar Mitrovic is a hero to Newcastle fans.
His arrival off the bench received a huge cheer from the home fans, and his introduction sparked the Newcastle comeback.
However, he did get involved in a pointless scuffle with Martin Olsson which saw him pick up a booking, and he also missed a couple of glorious chances that he should have done better. For all his shortcomings, his presence caused chaos in the Norwich box, and helped Newcastle turn the game around.
Benitez may not be his biggest fan just yet, but Mitrovic can really ruffle some feathers in the Championship like he did against Norwich.
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