Alan Shearer makes ‘phenomenal’ comment after Newcastle United’s fine run of form

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has admitted his former club are facing a battle to close on the Premier League’s current leaders - but praised the Magpies for the reaction to an underwhelming start to the season.

Eddie Howe’s side got their campaign off to a fine start as Alexander Isak scored twice and debutant Sandro Tonali was also on target in a 5-1 home win against Aston Villa. But that opening day triumph was followed by a trio of defeats as the Magpies emerged empty-handed from visits to treble winners Manchester City and top six rivals Brighton, as well as a disappointing home defeat against Liverpool.

The first international break of the season came at the right time for Howe and his squad and they have returned in fine form after taking ten points from a possible 12 after Sunday’s 2-2 draw at West Ham United denied them from taking a maximum return from their last four league games.

Writing in his BBC Sport column, the Magpies legend reflected positively on the reponse Howe’s men had made, saying: “Newcastle also have got some ground to make up on the leading pack, but overall I am pretty pleased with the start they have made.

“I always thought it would be tough for them to get into the Champions League places again after finishing fourth last time, and they have had to deal with a difficult run of early games. “They lost three in a row to City, Liverpool and Brighton, which was a blow, but it was the manner of the home defeat to the Reds that was the most damaging - losing so late, and to 10 men.

Since then, though, they have recovered well and got some great results in the Premier League despite having key players like Sven Botman, Joelinton and Callum Wilson out injured.”

United’s impressive return to form in the league has coincided with some memorable moments in cup competitions.

The Magpies claimed a 1-0 win in a Carabao Cup tie against Manchester City thanks to an Alexander Isak goal and secured four points from their opening two Champions League fixtures after a hard-earned goalless draw at AC Milan was followed by last week’s remarkable 4-1 hammering of Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Shearer believes the return of Champions League action to Tyneside will ‘lift the whole club’ but conceded they may have made an impact during a difficult opening 45 minutes at the London Stadium on Sunday.

He added: “On top of that, their performances in their two games in the Champions League have been phenomenal. Yes, they might have got a bit lucky in Milan but there was nothing fortunate about the way they beat Paris St-Germain last week - it was an amazing game, one of the best I have been to. Nights like that lift the whole club and they are exactly what they worked so hard for last year.

“Following that up against West Ham on Sunday was always going to be tough, and they struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, which was understandable. After that, though, they showed a great reaction and will feel they should have won it. The only disappointing part of their whole week was seeing West Ham equalise so late on.”