Newcastle United fans were delighted with Allan Saint-Maximin’s performance as they beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday.
Steve Bruce’s side did it the hard way against the Saints, who had a man sent off in the first half; Moussa Djenepo was shown a red card for a late tackle on Isaac Hayden.
Newcastle then had the opportunity to score from the penalty spot after a Sofiane Boufal handball in the area, but Alex McCarthy saved Matt Ritchie’s effort.
In total, Newcastle had 14 shots on goal to the Saints’ six, with seven on target, but it took until the 79th minute for Saint-Maximin to hit the back of the net.
And supporters hailed the France international’s display after the game.
@asaintmaximin you da boy 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
— Scott Parsons (@ScottParsons3) March 7, 2020
What a relief man, so glad we got three points there. Got a lot of luck today, but tbf I thought we created plenty and deserved the win. Saint-Maximin is mint. Up the mags. #nufc pic.twitter.com/wCc6jvsJ6s
— Sanjay (@nufcsanjay) March 7, 2020
@asaintmaximin @NUFC "You are different gravy!" #SOUNEW
— Andy Miller (Hellboy) (@HellboyMercury) March 7, 2020
Plain and Simple. Saint Maximin the absolute beauty. pic.twitter.com/tst0QKzr1V
— callum lewis (@callum592) March 7, 2020
Allan is the
— Tom Allen (@OldTomAllen2002) March 7, 2020
ASM really is our saviour
— Elliot (@Zurrbs) March 7, 2020
One fan meanwhile claimed Saint-Maximin was their favourite player since Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, and described them as “pure class”.
What a guy @asaintmaximin . My favourite player since @alanshearer . Pure class 🙋♂️🖤
— Robin (@RoBiN8t8) March 7, 2020
Another supporter even urged for the winger to be given a “lifetime contract” in recognition of his efforts.
Maximin lifetime contract please
— Jack (@JACKBRADLEYYY__) March 7, 2020
Saint-Maximin has been a ray of light for Newcastle this season, making 20 appearances in all competitions and scoring two goals, with four assists to his name.
Per WhoScored, he has averaged 4.4 dribbles per game in the Premier League, along with 1.7 shots per game and 1.3 key passes, while he is fouled 1.5 times.
This is a genuinely exciting winger and he appears to be growing in stature as the season progresses.
With Newcastle now eight points clear of the relegation zone, they will need him to keep it up as they look to find their way to safety.
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