Is it really just four months since Lewis Hall became a regular at Newcastle United?
In a season of strife at St James’ Park, the emergence of Hall as a player of international calibre has been a joy to behold. His consistent quality is not only helping Newcastle to win important matches, it’s also a reminder of why Eddie Howe still remains so firmly in credit.
Last season Hall cut a lonely figure as he was held back even in the thick of an injury crisis, seemingly unable to meet the demands of Howe’s system.
But with Dan Burn switched back to centre-back after Newcastle failed to land Marc Guehi in the summer, opportunity knocked for Hall and he has taken it.
How good does he look these days? Well, he isn’t just Newcastle’s best left-back now, he’s also the best player in his position in the country at the moment.
That he is still only 20 and has room for improvement is a major plus for the Magpies. Howe – facing arguably the most searching questions of his Newcastle reign – deserves credit for that development.
He was repaid on Saturday as Hall make a big contribution to a win that kicks off the most important week of Newcastle’s season in style.
If it was a day to celebrate Jacob Murphy’s goalscoring contribution and another performance that makes Sandro Tonali’s case to start every game from here on in, another outstanding performance from Hall underpinned so much of what Newcastle did well.
His passing accuracy is superb, his attacking instincts are growing every week and there are signs of a fine left-wing relationship growing with Anthony Gordon too.
Gordon has had a strange sort of season but it’s no coincidence then when he flies so do Newcastle. Against a Leicester team that cede so many chances, he had a lot of joy as Newcastle – finally – seemed to take the shackles off against a struggling side at St James’ Park.
It felt easy against Leicester but they needed guile, energy and a bit of anger to motivate them.
A dressing room that has felt disrespected at points this season played as if they had a point to prove and must now do it again in two crucial but winnable games against Brentford and Ipswich.