MIDFIELD dynamo Jermaine Jenas hailed United's strike duo as the best he has ever played with then backed them both to score more than 20 goals each this season.

Alan Shearer registered his third of the campaign with a Johnny-on-the spot goal four minutes from time in the comfortable 3-1 victory at St James' Park, while Patrick Kluivert netted his fourth in as many starts.

The win, which saw the Magpies climb to sixth in the Premiership table, was their fourth on the bounce and third since new boss Graeme Souness took the reins from Sir Bobby Robson.

The formidable partnership of his inspirational captain and the rejuvenated Holland striker had Jenas positively salivating, and after the game the excited midfielder revealed it was a dream come true to play with two of the world's top strikers.

"Alan and Patrick are the best two players I have played with given their careers and what they are even today," said the 21-year-old.

"Patrick Kluivert is one of the biggest names in Europe but so is Alan. I remember the first time I stepped on to the same pitch as Alan and it was a bit of a reality check. And now here I am on the same pitch as both of them - it's a dream come true more than anything.

"Patrick is brilliant: a born goal scorer. He just loves scoring goals.

"There was a point in the game where his calf was hurting - that's why he came off - and when Laurent (Robert) went bombing down the left he tried to hobble into the middle to score.

"That's the way he is, he just loves scoring goals and these are the types of players you need in the team. But his career and record speaks for itself.

"He's very competitive in training and works hard on his finishing and he's very clinical."

Kluivert arrived on Tyneside with a reputation of being a playboy and that his off-the-field activities took precedence over football. Jenas, however, believes the former Barcelona marksman has been treated unfairly in the press.

He added: "As far as I see it he wants to win things for this club and I think he's showing that. He works really hard in training and on the pitch.

"He's a 20-plus man without a doubt. He still young - it's not as if he's in his 30's. He's probably in his prime and it's a great advantage to us that we've got him. And you would be stupid not to back Alan to match him all the way."

Jenas gave the type of performance on Saturday reminiscent of those early in his Newcastle career, which subsequently won him the Young Player of the Year award, the season before last, and his England call-up.

The former Notttingham Forest starlet would be the first to admit that his displays for the club last season were patchy at best and indeed it was rather unfortunate he picked up an injury away to Aston Villa when he was approaching something like his best form.

But JJ has been one of United's top performers this season and his last two displays have revealed what a versatile player he can be when the occasion calls for it.

At Southampton last week boss Graeme Souness asked him to sacrifice his natural attacking game to get involved with the so-called ugly side of football and cut the supply line provided by the tricky Fabrice Fernandes - a job he carried out with aplomb.

Against the Baggies, Jenas was back in a more familiar central role with Nicky Butt and Lee Bowyer before moving over to the right to allow Robert to give the side more width. It was from the right he turned provider with two assists for substitute James Milner and for his skipper.

He said: "The manager spoke to me last week about having to play in certain positions and that I might not like it, but I think it is good that I am put in these positions to see how I respond.

"I was happy with my own performance on Saturday.

"I started in one position in the first half and then moved over to the right in the second but it's for the good of the team. I was delighted with the two assists I got but more importantly the result.

"The manager has vast experience himself and he knows our ability and he is going to put out the side he feels is going to win the game and so far he hasn't been wrong."

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