Back to the Southampton Newsfeed

Arsenal loanee Joe Willock backs Newcastle's fighting spirit to lead them away from Premier League trouble after making a goal-scoring debut in win over Southampton

New boy Joe Willock is backing Newcastle's battling spirit to ease them away from Premier League trouble after ending his debut for the club with a remarkable victory.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who joined the Magpies on loan from Arsenal on deadline day, seemed destined to enjoy a very pleasant first afternoon in a black and white shirt when he opened the scoring against Southampton with just 16 minutes gone and saw his side go in at the break with a 3-1 lead.

Forty-five minutes later he had played his part in a gritty rearguard action, helping Steve Bruce's men to grind out a priceless 3-2 win having had to play with 10 men from the 49th minute and for the last 15 with just nine.