Martin Keown has hailed Allan Saint-Maximin following his stunning opener in Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw with Watford and believes the club could not buy a better player than their talisman this month.
The Frenchman broke the deadlock with an incredible solo effort but Eddie Howe’s men could not hold on to secure a crucial victory in their relegation six-pointer against the Hornets.
Saint-Maximin cut inside from the left, skipped past several red shirts and smashed a right-footed shot past the hapless Ben Foster but he would ultimately be left disappointed as Newcastle shipped in a late Joao Pedro equaliser.
Despite the setback, Arsenal legend Keown thinks Saint-Maximin holds the key to the Magpies’ survival hopes this season.
“Whoever they go on buy, there won’t be a better player in that team than Saint-Maximin,” he told BBC’s Final Score.
“There are not many players in the Premier League that can score a goal from that situation.
“Okay, it’s bad defending initially the right-back just switches off but then once he decides to go on a charge, there’s nothing stopping him.
“I think there's five players between him and the goal. He cuts inside and then returns the ball back into the near post… fantastic goal from him and I can only imagine the atmosphere (inside St James’ Park)."
Next up for the Magpies is a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United next Saturday afternoon.
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