Young Danish striker Elias Sorensen was handed his big Newcastle chance in China today, as he started the game against West Ham in the Premier League Asia Trophy today.
Toon fans have been clamouoring for the striker to be given a chance in the first team, particularly after his disastrous loan spell at Blackpool last term.
He started alongside Yoshinori Muto, who struggled in a lone striker role against Wolves, and everyone was excited to see how the Dane performed.
After a quiet opening, Sorensen had a superb chance to open his account as he slid onto an Isaac Hayden cross on the six yard box, but it flew over the bar.
It may be a pre-season friendly, but how big a game it is for Sorensen is clear, as the youngster held his head in his hands as he lay on the goal-line.
Sorensen showed good feet six minutes later when he showed some neat touches in the box, weaving between players before setting up Jamie Sterry to put a cross along the ground, but Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski cut it out easily.
All in all it was a quiet opening half for the 19-year-old, but there is little doubt that the promise is there.
Sorensen’s mere presence helped bring the best out of Muto
One thing that was obvious, is simply having Sorensen there helped Muto, who looked a different player with a strike partner, to the one who looked lost ploughing a lone furrow on Wednesday.
The japanese forward’s confidence returned, which was epitomised with his deft finish for the opening goal in the 34th minute.
Sorensen showed he has quick feet on the ball, and the positional know-how that comes as instinct to natural-born goalscorers.
It may be a season too soon for him to figure in the Premier League, but with a loan spell at a Championship or League One side, he showed enough to be seen as a definite Newcastle star in the making.
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