Nick Pope grabbed the headlines with his breathtaking assist for Newcastle United vs Benfica, and that’s taken his tally for the season past some world-class attackers.
Newcastle United picked up another crucial victory in their Champions League campaign on Tuesday by defeating Benfica 3-0 at St. James’ Park.
Anthony Gordon dazzled, even earning high praise from Jose Mourinho afterwards, while Harvey Barnes’ blistering two-goal cameo off the bench has enhanced his claim for a starting spot.
Yet, Nick Pope’s impactful performance at both ends of the field has stolen the most headlines.
Eddie Howe’s side relied on the goalkeeper to make some strong saves from the dangerous Dodi Lukebakio, but then the shot-stopper turned into a shot creator.
Pope launched a remarkable 65-yard throw down the field that sent Barnes through on goal to finish ‘like Harry Kane.’
That’s actually now Pope’s second assist of the season, which puts him higher in the charts than some of the game’s best and most expensive forwards.
- Who is Nick Pope? Get to know the Newcastle United No.1 goalkeeper
Pope has more assists than Saka, Haaland, Wirtz and Isak so far this season
Pope’s other assist this season came in the second game, though it is a contentious one.
Newcastle were trailing Liverpool 2-1 with 10 men when the goalkeeper launched a long ball from a free-kick into the box, which landed at William Osula’s feet to prod home.
Some sources believe Dan Burn actually got a flick on the ball, but it’s hard to tell from video footage, and Fantasy Premier League gave the assist to Pope, so that’s certainly a good enough claim.
With two assists to his name then, Pope has created more goals than a litany of incredible forwards and creative players, or ones who at least commanded huge transfer fees, in the Premier League and beyond.
- Alexander Isak
- Bukayo Saka
- Erling Haaland
- Bryan Mbeumo
- Florian Wirtz
- Cole Palmer
- Hugo Ekitike
- Benjamin Sesko
- Matheus Cunha
- Bruno Fernandes
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Khvicha Kvaratskelia
- Robert Lewandowski
- Fermin Lopez
- Noni Madueke
- Gabriel Martinelli
- Bernardo Silva
- Oscar Bobb
- Erling Haaland
- Omar Marmoush
- Rodri
- Alexis Mac Alister
- Jeremie Frimpong
- Pedro Neto
- Enzo Fernandez
- Estavao
- Jamie Gittens
- Alejandro Garnacho
- Xavi Simons
- Liam Delap
- Jorgen Strand Larsen
What will make for particularly pleasing reading for Toon fans is that every attacking target Newcastle missed out on in the summer, like Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike and Matheus Cunha, is on the list, aside from Joao Pedro, who has three.
Alexander Isak’s name will also bring pleasure, as the Swedish striker has struggled to find the net or be a creative force for Liverpool since his bitter £125m transfer.
In addition to the healthy list, Pope also has as many assists as Martin Odegaard, Phil Foden, Cody Gakpo, Raphinha, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
That’s some esteemed company.
Nick Pope also has more assists than James Trafford this season
Perhaps the sweetest stat of all for Pope, though, is that he has more assists than James Trafford, who doesn’t have any.
Newcastle chased Trafford’s signature for months in the summer transfer window as Howe wanted a goalkeeper more comfortable with the ball at his feet.
But, as had become a theme, Newcastle missed out on Trafford when his former club, Manchester City, swooped in to sign him for £27m.
It felt at the time like Newcastle’s biggest transfer fiasco in a summer full of them, but it couldn’t have worked out better.
Pope has responded sublimely after being confronted with the possibility of losing his spot, keeping seven clean sheets already. The fact that he has also set up two goals, after coming close to being replaced with a goalkeeper supposedly better with his feet, is just the cherry on top.
Trafford, meanwhile, lost his place at City immediately as they also signed Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alan Shearer feels no sympathy towards him.
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