Chris Wood edges Newcastle closer to safety as Burnley stumble – £25m well spent

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A lot of eyebrows were raised when Newcastle United signed Chris Wood in January.

The forward arrived for big money, costing £25million from Burnley. The fee was questioned, despite it being the only way the Magpies could land him.

That was his release clause, otherwise Burnley would have had no intentions of letting their star striker leave.

He strengthened Newcastle’s attack and weakened the Clarets. Sean Dyche’s side acted though, bringing in Wout Weghorst as his replacement.

That looked like excellent business, getting a potentially higher calibre striker for basically half the fee. The Dutchman arrived at Turf Moor for £12million, and the race for Premier League survival was on.

A couple of months later and the relegation picture suddenly looks a lot clearer. Many outsiders sniggered at Newcastle, but it looks like they will be having the last laugh.

Chris Wood proves he was worth every penny in one weekend

Wood was the difference for Newcastle on Friday night. It wasn’t a thriller against Wolves, but Eddie Howe’s side did enough to get all three points. Bruno Guimaraes stole the show, but it was Wood who grabbed the winner.

His first half goal was chalked off, but he delivered in the second. The 30-year-old won the penalty, then stepped up to convert it.

Newcastle won 1-0, with Wood’s goal proving to be decisive. It moved the Magpies 10 points clear of the drop, with Burnley set to face Norwich on Sunday.

After the highs of beating Everton, Burnley were surely confident heading to Carrow Road. They had Weghorst leading the line once again, but were unstuck by the Premier League’s bottom team.

Norwich won 2-0, leaving Burnley’s Premier League future in doubt. They are now four points shy of Everton, meaning they still have a glimmer of hope that they can survive.

But they’re going to struggle to drag Newcastle back into it, and it’s all down to their former striker.

Wood may only have scored twice for his new club, but his second goal looks like it will be pivotal.

A lot has been said about Wood. He’s been described as a waste of money – an awful piece of business. It was claimed that Burnley got the better end of the deal.

But Weghorst still only has one goal to his name, and his side are edging closer to a return to the Championship.

£25million well spent.