Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
David Byrom

Gary Lineker responds as Alan Shearer sends Joe Willock message to Ian Wright over Newcastle goal

Gary Lineker has jokingly given Ian Wright a Newcastle United-inspired nickname after Joe Willock's debut goal for the Magpies.

Willock, who signed on loan from Arsenal on deadline day, opened the scoring for the Magpies in their thrilling match against Southampton.

It was a nicely-taken strike from the midfielder as he slotted home from 12 yards after an excellent pull-back from Allan Saint-Maximin.

The goal was not just celebrated by Newcastle fans, with Arsenal supporters delighted to see their highly-rated youth product finding the back of the net.

Wright summed up the feelings for Gunners fans as he tweeted "Joe!!!!!" with three love hearts.

It was a tweet noted by Wright's Match of the Day colleague Alan Shearer, who joked "Wrighty is a Geordie!!!"

Lineker then chimed in with some of his trademark wit, giving Wright an inspired nickname of "Worighty".

It went down well with fans, with Shearer replying with clapping emojis.

Lineker had earlier joked about Willock's goal following Arsenal's defeat to Aston Villa earlier in the day.

"Finally an Arsenal player scores," he tweeted. "Joe Willock gives Newcastle the lead."

Wright has made his feelings on Willock perfectly clear in the past, defending the youngster from a fan who said the midfielder is not good enough after scoring two goals in the FA Cup against Blackpool in 2019.

He said: "You haven't got a clue what it takes for an academy player to get to the level where he's actually able to play in the FA Cup and score two goals.

"You say it's Blackpool, I don't care what it is, his journey to get there has been hard.

"To slaughter a young player who scored two goals, working his socks off to try and get a career, not only in football but at Arsenal, which is difficult enough as it is, really annoyed me."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.