LuaLua strikes first in the battle to play

Lomana LuaLua the Newcastle United forward has been hailed by his striking partner Alan Shearer after his two goals which launched the side's Premiership campaign in style on Monday.

The 21-year-old Congo striker scored twice in 12 minutes to break West Ham's resistance at St James' Park and pave the way for a comprehensive 4-0 victory. Shearer echoed the earlier acknowledgement of the Newcastle manager, Sir Bobby Robson, that the youngster has much to learn, but the 32-year-old Newcastle captain, could hardly have been more impressed.

"His raw talent is unbelievable," Shearer said. "He doesn't know what he's going to do sometimes, and the crowd don't and we don't. Sometimes he finds the easy things very difficult to do, but the big thing is he wants to be better, he wants to learn and he wants to be helped to turn himself into a better player."

LuaLua, a £2.25m signing from Colchester in September 2000, is in the starting line-up only because of injuries to Craig Bellamy and Carl Cort, and with both nearing fitness, his adventure could be limited. But the unpredictable striker, the man with the acrobatic goal celebrations, is making a name for himself.

"He's very laid back. Nothing affects him, and the manager keeps nagging at him. He's a great lad. He might look shy in front of the cameras, but he's not shy in front of the lads. He knows he's in a fight for a place – we all are. We all have to work very hard to get places in the team because the competition is big.

"But he's been given his chance and he's taken it very well. He knows when everybody is fit how hard it will be, but well done to him. It's great for Lomana to get off the mark."

LuaLua's double put Newcastle in the driving seat before Shearer and Nolberto Solano finished the job as Glenn Roeder's side wilted.

The win was all the more impressive because Bellamy, Laurent Robert, Gary Speed and Andy O'Brien were all unfit and missed the game. They were replaced by youngsters LuaLua, Hugo Viana, Jermaine Jenas and Titus Bramble in a side which also featured 22-year-old Aaron Hughes and Kieron Dyer, still only 23.

"That's the strength of squad we're getting here," reflected Shearer.