OPINION
Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey may have only made a cameo appearance in the 3-2 victory over Everton on Saturday but he made the most of his minutes.
The 27-year-old replaced Ki Sung-yeung in the 77th minute of the clash with the Toffees and helped his side flip the game on its head as they came from behind to win 3-2.
Shelvey hadn’t featured in the Magpies last eight games ahead of appearing against the Toffees, due to injury keeping him on the sidelines, and it’s clear he felt he had to prove his talents.
The central midfielder looked like a man possessed as he was determined to leave no doubt in Rafa Benitez’s mind that now he is fit again, he should instantly be back in the starting line-up.
Shelvey made several wonderful passes to showcase the best of his range and wasn’t afraid to get stuck in where ever possible.
It’s fair to say that the midfielder wasn’t overly missed when he was on the sidelines as players such as Sean Longstaff stepped up in his absence.
Given that Magpies’ 27-year-old, particularly last season, was easily one of the best players at St James Park, then this was a surprise for many that the midfielder being unavailable didn’t cause his side too many problems.
Yet when you consider that in the 11 league appearances Shelvey made this season ahead of getting injury that he wasn’t performing very well at all, then it becomes understandable.
However it seems that due to his first-team status being in jeopardy, the midfielder is re-motivated to prove his worth and that’s only going to benefit his side.
Shelvey wowed in the minutes he was given against Everton to send a clear message that he was needed by Benitez’s team and many Newcastle fans should be salivating over the fact that they may be about to see the best the midfielder has to offer in the coming weeks.