Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has reserved special praise for two of the club's current stars.

The Magpies were at their very best at the resumption of Premier League action on Boxing Day.

Newcastle hammered Leicester City 3-0 away from home to continue their push for a top four finish.

Shearer lauded Joelinton and Miguel Almiron for their displays in the contest.

“I thought every single player in a black-and-white shirt today was superb," Shearer told Match of the Day.

“I could have picked Botman, I could have picked Trippier, I could have picked Bruno (Guimaraes) who was sensational, but the two players I want to highlight epitomize everything that is good about Newcastle and Eddie Howe.

“Almiron and Joelinton, what they bring to this team, the energy, the understanding they have with both of their full-backs… Joelinton was very good again, getting the penalty that Chris Wood tucks away well.

“Watch this for a goal from Almiron. First of all, to get in behind, then the ability to do that (score). The move, the touch, control and then having to finish it off in the way he did, when he's not got a lot to aim at.

“They work hard for their full-backs. Trippier must love playing with him (Almiron) in front. Newcastle get a corner, Joelinton wants it more than anyone else. This is the one thing also that Joelinton has never done. He's never shied away, never hidden from getting the ball even when it wasn't going well for him in a black-and-white shirt. He's always managed to do that.

“It was a superb performance. Almiron, nine (goals) in 16 (games) this season. It took him nine and 110 before to get that. The improvement in him and in a lot of the players that were there before Eddie got there… he deserves great credit, what a job he's doing. And yes, second in the league!"