Garth Crooks has named Jonjo Shelvey in his Team of the Week after the Magpies midfielder dominated against his boyhood club.
The 27-year-old scored a free-kick and was heavily involved in Newcastle’s other two goals as he made a real statement of intent to Steve Bruce.
This was Shelvey’s fifth start of the season, and he is now the club’s top goalscorer with two, but the impressive performances of Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff, and Matty Longstaff have kept the former Liverpool man on the bench – for a few matches this year.
Should Shelvey start when Sean Longstaff returns?
Yes
No
Bruce, though, decided to partner Shelvey and Hayden together, and both were brilliant against an awful Hammers team.
Shelvey was clearly delighted when he saw his 25-yard free-kick nestle in the bottom corner, and he came charging back towards the 3,000 Toon fans to celebrate with them.
The problem for Shelvey always has been consistency, and Crooks think that he should be disappointed that he does not have more England caps because he has the talent, but his attitude and laziness has cost him.
The Toon face Bournemouth next week, and Shelvey should start, but can he turn in another excellent performance, or will he fade away again?
You never get an average display from Shelvey – he is either awful or fantastic let us see which Jonjo we get next weekend.