Eddie Howe names the Newcastle United player who played his best game of pre-season vs Athletic Bilbao

Allan Saint-Maximin ended pre-season on a high after scoring in Newcastle United’s win over Athletic Bilbao.
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Allan Saint-Maximin put in his best performance of pre-season during the 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

That was Eddie Howe’s verdict when asked about the Frenchman’s display against the La Liga outfit.

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Saint-Maximin played a key role in the build-up to Callum Wilson’s opener on six minutes before netting a goal himself early in the second half.

There was a noticeable difference in the 25-year-old’s style of play with his decision-making in the final third an encouraging sign.

Rather than opt to take on his opponent time and time again, Saint-Maximin mixed it up - linking up with his teammates and even showed the desire to track back.

Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin.  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin.  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

In many ways, it was a lot more of a disciplined display, suggesting that the winger has taken Howe’s coaching on board.

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Saint-Maximin had a difficult end to last season but hit top form seven days before United’s Premier League opener with Nottingham Forest.

“I thought he was excellent today,” Howe told reporters after the win over Bilbao.

“Allan thrives on the crowd here, thrives off the energy and the love of the crowd. You could see that in his performance today, it was probably his best performance during pre-season.

“He took his goal very well and worked hard, looked a real threat. (I’m) delighted for him.”