Best is starting to look the part, and at St Andrews he was a handful all evening for the Brum defence.
Alan Pardew: "I think it is about getting the balance right and encouraging them and getting them to produce what is best for their particular game.
"They are not Shola Ameobi and they are not Andy Carroll. They are different types and we got the best out of them at Birmingham.
"I'm so pleased for Leon Best because I think there is a bit more pressure on him than Peter because he hasn't really done a great deal at the football club.
"But he produced a great performance at St. Andrew's and can be proud of that."