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Beardsley Salutes Unselfish Striker
Written by Newcastle Utd
Two-goal Callum Roberts grabbed the headlines on Monday night - but Peter Beardsley was quick to praise the man who set up both goals
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Ivan Toney further enhanced his reputation in the eyes of Peter Beardsley on Monday night - despite failing to score for the first time in five Barclays Under-21 Premier League matches.
The former Northampton striker - September's Barclays Under-21 Player of the Month - had netted against West Ham, Fulham, Swansea and Derby but suffered a rare off night in front of goal against Aston Villa at St. James' Park.
However, he showed great presence of mind to set up two late goals for Callum Roberts as Newcastle ran out 2-0 winners.
For the first, Toney sprinted onto Siem de Jong's pass, drew Matija Sarkic from his line and then squared the ball for Roberts to slot home.
And the second came in almost identical fashion as Toney raced into the box and cut the ball back for his team-mate to score again.
Beardsley hit more than 200 league goals during his glittering playing career, but laid on many more for the likes of Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand and Gary Lineker.
And after Monday's victory over the Villans, he told nufc.co.uk: "They were football goals, and that's what pleases me. There wasn't a lot of great football within the game but eventually we started passing the ball and when we did, we looked like we were going to score goals.
"Ivan Toney's done brilliantly for two tap-ins for Callum. It was the right thing to do; a lot of people shoot in those positions and end up doing the wrong thing.
"I don't know if it was because Siem de Jong, who's got that type of intelligence, was on the pitch, but Ivan is that type of character and he's been excellent since he arrived."
Beardsley also praised the performance of Jamaal Lascelles, who impressed at the heart of the United defence.
He said: "He trained with us for the first time yesterday and he's been outstanding in everything. He was incredible, I have to say, and I'm really pleased for him because he seems a good lad anyway around the place.
"But you don't know until you work with them, and because he's with the first team I don't usually work with him. But I've seen him yesterday and I've seen him today, and it looks like we might have a good player for the future."
Full-back Massadio Haidara was replaced in the 33rd minute after appearing to pull up with an injury.
"Medically, I'm not an expert so I don't know how he is, but (the medical staff) will check it tomorrow," Beardsley said.
"He said it wasn't too bad but when they check it tomorrow, they'll have a better idea."
Lubo Satka was withdrawn at half time while Kevin Mbabu came off after 58 minutes following a heavy challenge.
Beardsley explained: "We didn't want to take a risk with Lubo. He just felt a bit tight and sore.
"Kevin Mbabu was coming off anyway, because Daryl (Janmaat) came off at the weekend and Kev needed the game. After an hour, it was probably time to get him off."