Newcastle United got their Premier League campaign off to a flying start with a 5-1 win over Aston Villa.
After so much talk about whether or not Eddie Howe’s side would be prepared for the season after raising expectations last time out, that was a statement performance.
Sandro Tonali scored on his debut before Alexander Isak bagged a double, with Callum Wilson and another debutant in Harvey Barnes scoring.
Isak was a particular standout and could well have had a hat-trick. His second goal underlined just what a classy player the Newcastle star is.
Still, Wilson might have had a brace himself were Barnes to have squared the ball quicker prior to his goal.
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Callum Wilson says he should have reminded Eddie Howe about his opening day record
That’s now four goals on the opening day for Wilson as a Newcastle player.
Relegated to the bench for a club-record signing, getting on the scoresheet was the perfect response from the England international.
Speaking after the game, Wilson said he should have reminded Howe about that particular record.
“As a professional you want to start the game,” he said (via the BBC’s LIVE blog at 20.11 on 12/08/2023).
“You have to use that disappointment that when you do get on the pitch you put your best foot forward. I got on the scoresheet but to be honest I wanted more. I think I hit it too soon and didn’t let it come across my body enough. It is something to work on.”
When quizzed about his record, Wilson added: “It is. I should have told the manager that before the game.”
This Newcastle team is full of goals
It’s crazy to think that, at the turn of the year, goals were becoming something of a problem for Howe’s side.
In Isak, Wilson and Barnes, they have seasoned operators in front of goal at Premier League level.
Anthony Gordon is another option, while Bruno Guimaraes has chipped in before, along with Joelinton.
It’s so, so exciting.