Yoane Wissa doesn’t need to look too far for inspiration.
Alan Shearer, Jackie Milburn, Andy Cole, Malcolm Macdonald and Les Ferdinand are simply among the prolific strikers who’ve worn Newcastle United’s iconic quantity 9 shirt.
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Wissa is the newest in an extended line to inherit it, and he supplied a reminder why in his aspect’s at St James’ Park.
On an evening supporters unfurled a banner urging their aspect to “write the subsequent headline”, Wissa actually did so.
Not solely did he open the scoring after simply eight minutes, the ahead additionally arrange his aspect’s second purpose with the aggressive method during which he pressed slack PSV defender Yarek Gasiorowski.
No marvel the person of the match left the sphere to a standing ovation after he was taken off by head coach Eddie Howe halfway by way of the second half.
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The prospect of sampling such moments below the lights had lengthy served as inspiration after Wissa suffered a knee damage whereas on worldwide responsibility with DR Congo again in September.
“It has been a tricky begin for him right here,” Howe mentioned. “For any new participant to come back and get a severe damage, having not even finished a coaching session, that is actually robust mentally.
“So it is taken us some time to get him to a degree that is near his greatest, and I nonetheless really feel he is received some extra to come back.
“A giant evening for him tonight as a result of partially that is why he got here to the membership – for these nights – and I am simply happy that he is made a constructive influence.”
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‘I liked his perspective and the dedication and aggression that he performed with’
It has taken Wissa time to ship such performances.
Wissa, who had already had a disrupted pre-season, following his protracted departure from Brentford, has solely scored three objectives since making his debut for Newcastle final month.
The ahead has seemed rusty at occasions, failing to take an enormous likelihood to open the scoring within the defeat towards Manchester Metropolis within the Carabao Cup semi-finals final week.
However Wednesday evening confirmed what he can carry to this aspect.
Howe had known as on Wissa to “max out” earlier than the sport, and he led the press successfully towards a naive PSV aspect, who repeatedly performed out from the again.
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That actually didn’t go unnoticed by fellow goalscorer Harvey Barnes.
“He is had a tricky begin since he is come right here,” he informed TNT Sports activities.
“Clearly injured for a very long time. I had the same begin right here. I understand how robust it’s simply watching from the stands, so I understand how delighted he shall be.
“A primary Champions League purpose. I assumed he performed rather well so I am buzzing for him.”
The problem for Wissa, in fact, is to begin scoring extra commonly.
However he’s a poacher in a differing mould to the towering Nick Woltemade, who likes to come back in deep.
Of these forwards to have performed a minimal of 250 minutes within the Premier League this season, Wissa ranks first for cross possibility runs per sport.
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These are outlined by Opta as runs to get into the penalty space to make your self out there for a cross whereas your team-mate has the ball in a large space.
Wissa additionally ranks twelfth for runs forward of the ball and twenty first for runs in behind.
Given their differing qualities, Howe felt it was “transformative” to have Wissa out there after Woltemade needed to shoulder the burden up entrance in his absence.
It had all the time been the plan for the pair to share the load after Newcastle misplaced high scorer Alexander Isak to Liverpool final summer time, and Wissa’s Premier League expertise helps clarify why Newcastle paid such a hefty £55m charge.
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“Yoane’s profession at Brentford was good to observe from afar as a result of I assumed he was excellent for them, scoring quite a lot of large objectives,” Howe mentioned.
“I liked his perspective and the way in which that he performed, the dedication and aggression that he performed with.”
A showdown in Paris awaits
Such aggression is among the causes Wissa is more likely to line up from the off towards holders Paris St-Germain subsequent week.
Newcastle are in a powerful place going into that ultimate sport of the league section, and sit in seventh place within the standings.
Newcastle have already secured a final 16 play-off spot, and nonetheless have the possibility to succeed in the knockout levels mechanically with a landmark consequence within the Parc des Princes subsequent week.
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Whereas Howe refuted discuss of “revenge” after a controversial stoppage-time penalty was awarded towards his aspect on their final go to to the French capital in 2023, the guests actually will not want any added motivation.
“We all know what we will do after we flip up towards groups,” Barnes added.
“We had a bitter style after the sport a few years in the past, and it is one we’ll wish to go and put proper.
“It is a large problem – they are a high quality aspect – however why not?”