National media round-up as 'class act' lifts Newcastle out of the relegation zone

The Newcastle United media round-up after the Magpies jump out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.

Alistair Magowan of BBC Sport heaped praise on Newcastle's 'well-oiled' midfield unit after an impressive performance against Everton.

Allan Saint-Maximin was among the standout performers for the Magpies, on an evening where the Toon looked to have 'turned a corner.'

Magowan said: "Newcastle fans have had their hopes tested and their nerves frayed over the course of the season which has ebbed and flowed following the club's £305m takeover in October.

"But back-to-back wins and exiting the bottom three for the first time since the autumn led to celebrations at the full-time whistle, which felt like a corner had been turned.

"In the win against Leeds before their trip to Saudi Arabia, Howe's side had to hang on, but this was a much-improved display compared to 17 days ago, and they could and should have scored more.

"The Newcastle boss said his team were a fitter outfit after returning from their training camp in Saudi Arabia and it showed.

"They pressed Everton from the start, leading to errors in the visitors' backline, and although there was disappointment that new signing Guimaraes did not start after his £40m move from Lyon, the hosts' midfield was a well-oiled unit.

"Even though Newcastle went behind in the most unfortunate circumstances to Lascelles' own goal, it said much about the captain that he played a key part in the equaliser, especially after coming under pressure from new signing Dan Burn.

"Crucially, it meant that Newcastle were behind for less than two minutes, and they should have gone ahead before half-time when Chris Wood wasted a free header and Joelinton somehow slipped with