Joe Willock took just 16 minutes to keep his promise to Allan Saint-Maximin

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Newcastle United loanee Joe Willock has told BT Sport that he told Allan Saint-Maximin exactly where to find him against Southampton.

The Magpies took the lead as Saint-Maximin broke down the left flank before picking out the late run of Willock to make it 1-0.

Jan Bednarek’s horrible week continued as he deflected Miguel Almiron’s strike into his own net, but Takumi Minamino did pull one back for the Saints.

Almiron restored the two-goal lead as he robbed Ryan Bertrand and picked his spot past Alex McCarthy, with James Ward-Prowse then again hauling Southampton back into the game with a stunning free kick.

Newcastle had to hang on in the end as Jeff Hendrick was sent off and a host of injuries were suffered, but Steve Bruce claimed a key three points.

The day will belong to debutant Willock, as the Arsenal loanee made an instant impression following his deadline day move to Tyneside.

After the game, the midfielder admitted that he actually told Saint-Maximin to beat his full back and cut the ball to the edge of the box, promising that he would be there, waiting to score.

Willock took just 16 minutes to keep that promise, and he admitted that he can’t wait to score more goals for Newcastle having made a dream start – and Arsenal will be delighted.

“I told Maxi (Saint-Maximin), ‘when you get past the full-back, cut it back to the edge of the box & I’ll be there’. That’s exactly what he did, I was there to finish it, I was delighted and I can’t wait to get more,” said Willock.