JOE WILLOCK is delighted to have made an instant impact following his deadline-day loan move to Newcastle United.

The Arsenal midfielder scored in the 16th minute of his maiden Magpies appearance at the weekend, making him the quickest debutant goalscorer in the club’s Premier League history.

The 21-year-old slotted home a slick first-time finish after Allan Saint-Maximin cut the ball across the box, and is hoping his debut goal is a sign of things to come.

“I said in my first interview that I wanted to score goals and help the team, and I’m happy to have been able to do that straight away,” said Willock, whose last senior goal prior to Saturday had come in a Europa League win at Dundalk. “I just want to push on now. The next game, I’m looking forward to it, and we’re looking to get another three points.

“We’re all buzzing to have got the three points here. I think we needed that – I think we needed to push on from last week. I’m buzzing to score and help the team. That’s what I want to do, that’s why I’m here, and I want to look forward now.”

When Miguel Almiron followed up Willock’s strike with two goals of his own to fire Newcastle into a 3-1 half-time lead, the Magpies looked set for a routine win.

The second half turned out to be anything but simple, with Jeff Hendrick’s dismissal and an injury to Fabian Schar meaning Newcastle had to see out the final stages with just nine men.

“We had to stick together,” said Willock. “It was two banks of four and we had to grind with each other, fighting for every header and every ball. All the boys were geeing each other up, and I’m really happy to have got the three points.

“I haven’t had that for a while to be honest with you, that feeling of just being there with the boys, and it’s just going to bring us closer. The next game, we’re going to fight for each other even more. We want to keep pushing on from this.”

Newcastle’s nine men produced a defensive masterclass in the final stages, although Willock admits the monsoon-like conditions at St James’ Park also played in the home side’s hands.

“They were looking to move the ball quicker but weren’t able to because the pitch was so waterlogged," he said.