Newcastle United claimed a hard-fought 2-1 home win over Hull City in the Premier League yesterday.
The Magpies continue to keep their heads above water despite gloomy predictions at the start of the season.
Newcastle opened the scoring through Joe Willock before Lewis Hall doubled the lead. Mohamed Ali-Cho scored to set up a nervy ending.
However, Newcastle stood firm to clinch the victory and move up to eighth place in the Premier League (W2, D2, L1).
Several Newcastle players stood up to the Hull test, including 18-year-old midfielder Sean Steur, who ran the show on Tyneside.
After a disastrous showing against Leeds United, the Newcastle summer signing had to raise his levels.
The Dutchman played two key passes, completed 86 percent of his passes, made three progressive carries, won two tackles and won three ground duels.
Steur’s passing was crisp, and he controlled proceedings with a maturity that belies his youth.
A local Newcastle publication described his performance as ‘an outstanding display’, as he stepped up the challenge and showed real maturity.
This performance was a timely reminder of why Newcastle moved for Steur in the first place.
He is already showing flashes of the composure, technical quality and physical aggression required to thrive at the highest level.
There will inevitably be bumps along the road as he adapts to Premier League football, but the early signs are extremely encouraging.
Steur could eventually prove to be one of the smartest pick-ups of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) era at Newcastle.
He looks to have the raw tools to develop into a world-class midfielder, combining his ability on the ball with a willingness to compete without it.
If Steur can put all those qualities together consistently, there is no telling how far he can go. The sky really is the limit for the teenager.
