Jacob Ramsey opened his account for Newcastle United in style as he scored a vital winner at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.
The Magpies dominated the first half with Malick Thiaw giving the away side the lead shortly after Joe Willock had a goal ruled out for offside.
Archie Gray levelled for Spurs with only their second shot on target in the match in the 64th minute before Ramsey put Newcastle back in front four minutes later.
It was Ramsey’s first Premier League goal in over a year and first goal for Newcastle since his £41million arrival from Aston Villa in the summer.
After being ruled out for six weeks with an ankle injury and making a limited impact during his first half-season on Tyneside, Ramsey has caught the eye with his recent performances since coming into starting line-up.
The 24-year-old impressed against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last month and was named player of the match following his match-winning display at Spurs.
‘Excellent’ - Eddie Howe impressed by Jacob Ramsey’s performance v Spurs
Reflecting on Ramsey’s performance and improving effectiveness in the side, Howe told The Gazette: “Yeah, I think that was a really good performance from JJ, Joe Willock, Bruno [Guimaraes] in our midfield.
“I thought we were really, really good in there. I thought we showed good energy, really good control.
“JJ was excellent, takes the ball in any moment, takes the ball under pressure and is really reliable with it and in that position you need to score. I thought it was a great finish from him with his left foot and a fitting reward really because I think he has improved.
“I think his performance has been getting slowly better and stronger. I think he's a really talented player and I'm delighted for him.”
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Jacob Ramsey reacts to NUFC win
Reflecting on the win against Spurs and his goal, Ramsey told TNT Sports: “Yeah, it's been a while. I've been playing in different positions and today I was playing a little bit higher up and the manager has demanded that I need to get my numbers up and thankfully I got my goal today.
“I knew I was in the box and when I played a one-two with Gordon. It was instinctive really. Left foot, nice finish.
“I got injured in my first start, out for two months. I needed to build my fitness and then I was in and then out of the team.
I'm feeling good, feeling fit. I just want to stay in the team, keep scoring goals, keep getting assists and helping the team out.”
Sandro Tonali warning
Newcastle’s dynamic midfield display came after Sandro Tonali was dropped from the side after a run of sub-par performances from the previously impervious Italian.
Last week was Tonali caught up in a transfer storm as he was linked with a move to Arsenal on deadline day. His agent Giuseppe Riso then added fuel to the speculation surrounding Tonali’s future by stating conversations will be had in the coming months regarding a valuation and potential exit.
Tonali established himself as a key player in Howe’s side last season but has seen his form called into question in recent months as speculation regarding his future intensified.
Despite a strong team performance against Spurs, Tonali struggled coming off the bench in the closing stages of the match as Newcastle saw out the win.
Although injury concerns over Guimaraes could see Tonali come back into the side against Aston Villa on Saturday in the FA Cup, it’s getting to the stage where the Italian is playing himself out of starting matches while the likes of Willock and Ramsey are playing themselves in.
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