Alan Pardew praises hat-trick hero Leon Best
Leon Best must be the happiest man in the Premier League at the moment. The striker made the most of a rare opportunity to start for Newcastle, scoring a sensational hat-trick against West Ham on Wednesday. His contribution helped the Magpies move up to
eighth place in the Barclays Premier League.
Alan Pardew was full of praise for the 24-year-old, saying, “Leon had been knocking on my door for the last two weeks telling me he hasn't really had an opportunity. I spoke to him and said, 'You have been here a year and there are no assist, no goals -
what is there for us to keep about you?’ He kept telling me he could do it, and he has proved that tonight.”
Leon Best was informed just a few hours prior to the match that he would be starting against West Ham. Newcastle’s rising star Andy Carroll is still recovering from a thigh injury, and normally, Shola Ameobi would take Carroll’s place. However, when the
striker pulled out at the last minute due to an ankle problem, Leon Best got the perfect opportunity to prove his worth.
Best, who hasn’t scored in 14 previous appearances for Newcastle, took just 18 minutes to open his account. His left-footed volley rocketed into the back of the net, giving keeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robert-c31222 Greene no chance. The 24-year-old got his second in the 40th
minute. Best got on the end of Lovenkrands’ dangerous cross to give Newcastle a two-goal lead. Then on the hour mark, Kevin Nolan’s deflected pass found Best unmarked, and the striker finished coolly to complete his first hat-trick for the club.
The hat-trick capped off a spectacular performance by the Magpies, who eased past a struggling West Ham side. The final score at St. James Park was 5-0 to Newcastle. It was a memorable day for the fans, and for Leon Best in particular. The striker finally
made his mark at the club after more than a year on the sidelines. If he can continue this form, we will undoubtedly see more of Leon Best in the coming weeks.
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