Steve McClaren has said that Newcastle United winger Moussa Sissoko showed precisely why he is so highly rated by England's elite in Sunday's 6-2 win over Norwich City.

The 26-year-old racked up a hat-trick of assists at St James' Park as the Magpies ran riot to record their first Premier League win of the season, with Georginio Wijnaldum scoring four in the rout.

France international Sissoko was linked with Chelsea and Arsenal in the summer, and McClaren feels that such speculation is justified given his man's ability.

"The front four were excellent, especially Gini Wijnaldum," he told Sky Sports News. "Individuals stepped up and that was the key thing.

"Moussa Sissoko showed strength and power and he showed why he is coveted by the top four. I thought the score could have been anything."

Sunday's victory was United's first at the ninth time of asking, though they remain in the relegation zone.