Few could have predicted that Joelinton, the man written off as a £40million flop, would become a cult hero at Newcastle.
His two first half goals at Carrow Road, on what was his 100th Premier League appearance, and a Bruno Guimaraes strike moved the Magpies up to ninth and Norwich ever closer to relegation.
The Brazilian was serenaded by the travelling Newcastle fans at full-time, who had unveiled a banner before kick-off to mark his 100th top flight game.
Joelinton has reinvented himself under Howe. The 25-year-old was signed as a big-money striker in 2019. Goals were expected, but they did not come. He managed just four in his first season and two in the following campaign. But he has thrived in a deeper role under Howe.
On Saturday, however, he started up front as Chris Wood and Miguel Almiron were rested. But it was a tactical switch on the half hour mark, which saw Joelinton move to the left wing, that brought about his two quick-fire goals before half-time.
The game was over by the 49th minute when Guimaraes pounced on Tim Krul’s weak pass to Kenny McLean before brilliantly chipping the ball over the Norwich goalkeeper.
For Norwich, the Championship beckons. They had chances to open the scoring before Joelinton’s brace. First, Kieran Dowell volleyed over from close range after meeting Mathias Normann’s floated pass.
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