Newcastle notes: Crazy Bruno dilemma, Lascelles' moment and the deal United must do this summer

Newcastle United earned a point at West Ham on a day in which better finishing could have made this an even more impressive result.

The Magpies really did start this game on the front-foot and showed no fear whatsoever with the marauding style almost taken the Hammers aback somewhat.

But despite that early penalty area dominance a failure to show conviction when and where it mattered allowed the home side to take the lead through a Craig Dawson header.

Before that chances had came and went from Joelinton, Joe Willock and Ryan Fraser but things would improve before the interval.

Fans making their journeys back were left surprised by Norwich's 1-0 lead at Liverpool but the Reds did Newcastle a big favour by roaring back to a 3-1 win.

At one stage the Canaries looked like they might be capable of clawing the gap back to just two points and that would actually have made it two points dropped for the black and whites.

But wins for Watford, at Villa, and Burnley, at Brighton, have shown the battle against the drop still isn't over.

It's definitely tightening up above Newcastle with just five points separating six sides.

However, this wintry weekend has made it clear that the battle is ongoing and if you do slip up, others will be waiting to pounce.

The big debate in the pubs and clubs of Tyneside is whether the £33.5million man should start his first game for the club.

But again Howe will find it tough to axe any of his three midfielders after their efforts at West Ham.

Jonjo Shelvey led the team well as captain, Joelinton was immense and Joe Willock got his goal.

It does feel ridiculous to be talking about starting Bruno on the bench at Brentford next weekend, but what alternative does Howe have with his team on such a good