Nick Pope was brilliant in goal against Crystal Palace on Saturday, and the Newcastle goalkeeper also excelled on social media after the game.
The 31-year-old made some excellent saves during the Magpies’ 4-0 win over the Eagles. His stop to deny Odsonne Edouard from a free-kick late in the second half was particularly outstanding.
It was another strong performance from Pope, who now has six clean sheets in all competitions this season.
In truth, Saturday was all about Newcastle’s efforts in attack rather than Pope’s heroics in between the sticks, and one of the star performers was Sean Longstaff.
The 25-year-old was outstanding, linking up brilliantly with Jacob Murphy and Kieran Trippier down the right. Longstaff also got himself on the scoresheet, capitalising on a Marc Guehi mistake to grab his third goal of the season.
It was a smart finish from Longstaff, who took to social media after the game.
Nick Pope reminds Sean Longstaff he has no time for travelling
Following the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, Longstaff delivered a message to supporters via his official Instagram account.
He wrote: “Another big 3 points at home! Full focus now on Wednesday.”
While it was a rather bland post, it prompted a brilliant reply from teammate Nick Pope.
The goalkeeper commented: “The Khao San Road is going to have to wait big guy.”
Pope is referring to a joke that went viral during the week that Longstaff had made a request to be given November off so that he could go travelling with his brother Matty.
It was very obviously a joke, but, as always with social media, some thought it was real.
The joke clearly made its way into the Toon dressing room, with Pope referencing a street in Bangkok, Thailand.
It is the latest bit of Instagram banter from Pope, who was also mocking Longstaff after his goal against Paris Saint-Germain. That time the goalkeeper was referencing Longstaff’s cat Tommy, who inspired meows from players following the 8-0 win over Sheffield United.
It is clear that Longstaff and Pope have a great relationship, and hopefully the jokes continue if it means that Longstaff can keep scoring.
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