Joe Willock underlines how far Newcastle United have come after 'dominant' first-half display

Joe Willock has underlined the importance of Newcastle United's fightback at West Ham.

After falling behind, Willock popped up to score the leveller in first-half stoppage time.

Newcastle could not push on and win the game but the draw makes it six matches unbeaten in the Premier League.

Willock said: “It’s an important point. We had two important players injured, so we had to come here and stick to our task.

"Everyone had to be at it for us to come away with a point.

“I thought we brought our game plan to them.

"We were very dominant in the first half and had moments in the second half. It shows how far we’ve come and how much the manager has instilled into us.”

And speaking about his first goal of the season, Willock told BT Sport: "When I saw it go in I was so delighted.

"It’s been a long time coming. I’m happy to score and help the team.

"That’s how football is – it never goes how you want it to go.

"I’ve tried to stick to my task and take on board what the manager wanted me to do.”

Willock was signed by Steve Bruce last summer but now has his first strike for Eddie Howe.

He said: “He’s a brilliant manager and a brilliant person.

"He’s a manager we all trust and we all buy into what he wants to do.

"We’ve got a great relationship with him. Long may it continue.”

And on the prospect of staying up, Willock said: “That’s our objective.

"We’re looking up the table, not down the table.

"With the manager and the staff we have, we’re capable of going very far up the table.”