HE has scored 15 goals in the Premier League, played in the FA Cup final at Wembley and commanded career transfer fees of more than £16m, but Dwight Gayle regards Wednesday’s dramatic hat-trick for Newcastle United as one of the proudest moments of his career.

Having started the Magpies’ fightback against Norwich with his second goal of the night midway through the second half, Gayle capped one of the most remarkable comebacks imaginable as he completed his hat-trick in the sixth minute of stoppage time to secure a 4-3 win.

Latching on to a knock-down from Aleksandar Mitrovic, Gayle shuffled the ball onto his left foot before lashing a firm low finish past Norwich goalkeeper Michael McGovern to spark scenes of pandemonium inside St James’ Park. The entire Magpies bench rose to their feet, with players and coaching staff tearing towards the Leazes End to join in the celebrations.

Gayle had dreamed of such moments when he agreed to drop down a division to join Newcastle in the summer, and the emotion and atmosphere that accompanied it did not disappoint.

“The noise was right up there with Wembley (when Jason Puncheon scored for Crystal Palace in May’s FA Cup final),” said the striker, who jointly tops the Championship scoring charts with seven goals from eight league outings this season. “I didn’t think you could get much louder than that, but I joined this club for moments like that.

“You dream of scoring hat-tricks and scoring last-minute winners when you are young. To do it in a game like that is mind-boggling and I will never forget it.

“That’s my fourth hat-trick I think, and definitely the most dramatic and my favourite one. The fact it was at home as well, and the last goal right at the death proved to be the winner, made it even more special.

“It’s unbelievable to do that in front of these fans. The feeling when I scored that last one with virtually the last kick is something I will never forget.”

Gayle’s heroics salvaged a night that had looked like ending in intense frustration when Norwich claimed a 3-1 lead despite Newcastle having completely dominated the majority of the first half.

As was the case at Aston Villa last weekend, the Magpies spurned a host of gilt-edged chances, with Gayle especially culpable as he directed two early opportunities too close to McGovern and also dragged a first-half shot wide of the target.

To the striker’s credit, however, he continued charging beyond the Norwich defence, and his persistence was rewarded when he brought the house down in stoppage time.

The victory lifted Newcastle back up to third in the table, and underlined the strength of the spirit that exists within the squad. Clearly, there are defensive deficiencies for Rafael Benitez to address, but if Newcastle’s players continue to display the tenacity and fight they produced on Wednesday, they should be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

“The funny thing is, I could have had a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes,” said Gayle. “After the last game and then that, you start to think, ‘Is it your day’, but we just kept on going and played all the way to the last minute, and it worked out for us.

“Wins like this make us believe anything is possible.  Those two goals at the end prove just how important it is never to give up and keep going until the very end whether you’re winning or losing.

“It just shows the character in the team and the togetherness. Those celebrations at the end show what a great team spirit there is here.”

Gayle raced towards the corner flag to celebrate his goal, but was almost decapitated by a delirious Mitrovic, who leapt on him and wrestled him to the floor.

The pair are rivals when it comes to competing for a place in the starting line-up, but Mitrovic’s joyful reaction to Gayle’s success highlights the unity of purpose which Benitez has successfully cultivated in the wake of last season’s relegation.

“He (Mitrovic) shook my head, suffocated me and head-butted me,” laughed Gayle. “It was like being whip-lashed! I think maybe he tried to injure me!

“Nah, he’s a great lad and, as I said, we have great team spirit. He was just as excited as we all were. Those were unbelievable scenes at the end.”