Amanda Staveley gift paying dividends as Newcastle United boss makes transfer request
An incredible 156 touches and two assists stole the show for Kieran Trippier in the 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town
It was during the very early days of the Saudi-led takeover at St James' Park that Eddie Howe mentioned the prospect of signing Kieran Trippier as a Newcastle United signing.
With no director of football at the helm, Amanda Staveley went out and thrashed a quick deal with Atletico Madrid chiefs with then England international Trippier becoming the club's first acquisition of a whole new era. More than three years on, the £12millon arrival is still paying dividends.
That was definitely the case against Ipswich Town as Trippier hauled Newcastle over the line in a tricky niggling game against a side that had nothing to lose. That's why the Championship-bound side tried every trick in the book to rattle the likes of Joe Willock and Dan Burn.
But Trippier talked Newcastle through the tricky moments then weighed in with a couple of assists with two incredible crosses. In total Trippier, now 34, had 155 touches but while he has veteran status, he shows no signs of aiding United to glory.
His influence has been vital with six wins from seven in the Premier League since he came back in at right-back as well as his appearance at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final. Howe said after the win over Ipswich: "I don't think there are many players like Kieran in the Premier League.
"It is a real testament to his ability and his physical ability, to do what he does at his age is not easy. He is playing in one of the hardest positions to execute. His cross for the second goal just sums up his quality for us. He is the difference maker and has obvious qualities on the ball and with his leadership skills."
Only at the start of last year, Howe won a political battle to keep Trippier when Bayern Munich came calling with around £15m. Despite injury worries and the development of Tino Livramento, the ex-Burnley and Spurs man has survived on Tyneside.
Trippier comes to the end of his current contract in 12 months time. But Howe wants him to stay, he said: "It goes without saying. We want to keep our best players and add to the squad if possible, that's a big thing."
After loading up Blyth warrior Burn to nod in the second, Trippier's exaggerated outswinging cross was perfect for Will Osula to send the ball flying past Alex Palmer to make it 3-0.
Burn reflected in the mixed zone: "I think one thing you can guarantee from Tripps [Kieran Trippier] is the assists that he provides and the crosses that he puts in are perfect. I read it well so I didn't really have to do much, I just had to get contact on it."
And so Newcastle now head to Brighton next weekend for their penultimate away match of the season. It's still tight at the top but a Newcastle victory on the South Coast and any slip ups from rivals like Aston Villa, Chelsea or Nottingham Forest will put Newcastle in the box seat for Champions League action.
Trippier will have been a major cog in the Newcastle wheel if the Magpies hurtle back to Europe's top table.