Allan Saint-Maximin saves Newcastle’s season – and Steve Bruce’s job – in seven minutes

Allan Saint-Maximin saved Newcastle’s season in just seven minutes – and possibly kept Steve Bruce’s side in the Premier League.

No wonder he danced around on the pitch after his winner.

He’s Newcastle’s superstar, the one player capable of maintaining the traditions that United fans want to see. Goals, excitement, gasps of wonder and unpredictability.

Newcastle climbed six points clear of third bottom Fulham, as their French game-changer conjured up all his on-field magic.

This was Bruce’s first win since February 6, and only their third in the last 20 league games. But it could prove decisive in their relegation fight.

Saint-Maximin changed the game after coming off the bench (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Saint-Maximin was left on the bench to protect his groin injury recovery which kept him out three games, before his sub appearance against Spurs last weekend.

Boss Steve Bruce has persistently argued, during their dark run of results from January, that Newcastle are a completely different team with Saint-Maximin on the pitch. And so it is proving.

Saint-Maximin said: “I feel really great. Everyone knows how important these games are. I give this win to the supporters. I am happy to score to help my team mates.

“I was frustrated to be on the bench and we were losing 1-0. I said to the coach to give me 30 minutes to show me what I can do. I had to be ready.

“It is a big opportunity. We have six points on Fulham. We just have to win and keep going forward against West Ham. When you have been losing it is important to come back stronger.”

Jacob Murphy drew Newcastle level (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The winger came on in the 57 th minute for Joelinton, and within a minute had helped level the game with his first touches.

Jinking to the goal line, he lured in three defenders all not close enough to tackle and scared of his pace.

Unselfishly he cut back to Jacob Murphy who rifled home a difficult chance from 18 yards out, his third of the season. It was Saint-Maximin’s eighth assist of the season.

There was a renewed purpose to the visitors with Burnley’s defence also having sub Callum Wilson to shadow.

By the 64 th minute Saint-Maximin had shown the brilliance that saw him rewarded with a new five year contract and triple money new deal earlier this season.

Jonjo Shelvey started the breakaway, prompting Saint-Maximin to take the ball 55 yards from goal. He took the direct route, blasting through the middle, before cutting inside James Tarkowski and Ben Mee onto his left foot.

The finish was crisp, past Bradley Peacock-Farrell for his third of a season disrupted by a bad bout of COVID and injury.

Burnley, who also threw a winning position last weekend against Southampton, had been battering United before the substitutions.

They took charge after 18 minutes after some shocking defending from recalled Toon centre half Ciaran Clark. His weak header allowed Ashley Westwood to play a ball down the channel for Chris Wood to run on goal 35 yards out.

The Ireland defender backed off and was then outpaced by the target-man who crossed at the byline and set up Matej Vydra for his seventh of the season. It is the first time Vydra, who netted against Southampton last week, has scored in consecutive games for the club.

Martin Dubravka kept his side in the game for an hour with a series of fine saves and positive goalkeeping.