Newcastle United 6-2 Norwich City

Wijnaldum Scores Four – Magpies Blowout the Canaries for First Victory of the Season

Sunday, October 18^th @ St. James’ Park

Sunday is usually a day of rest – a sentiment the defenses certainly put into practice at St. James’ Park this past weekend. Despite being the only game on the roster that day, fans were treated to an eight-goal onslaught, in what became the Magpie's first victory of the young campaign. The scoring got started in the 14^th minute when summer signing Georginio Wijnaldum found himself on the productive end of a Moussa Sissoko through ball. Six minutes later the Canaries answered the bell. Fullback Martin Olsson streaked down the left flank and sent in a gorgeous cross that only needed a slight touch by loanee Dieumerci Mbokani to net an impressive equalizer.

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In the 26^th minute, Sissoko yet again found the streaking Wijnaldum, this time meeting the latter’s forehead with a nicely-fed aerial ball, one Wijnaldum needed to just thrust to the turf, leaving John Ruddy a helpless onlooker to his second conceded goal. Six minutes later, led by another scorching counter attack by Sissoko, Ayoze Perez followed up his own initial blocked shot with a far post grounder to double the lead. Two minutes later, Nathan Redmond cut the deficit in half, scoring the fifth collective goal of the first 45 minutes, yet again derived from the precise cross of Martin Olsson.

The next 45 minutes was dominated solely by United. In the 62^nd minute, another counter attack led by - you guessed it - Moussa Sissoko, cut through the retreating Canaries like butter before the ball landed at the feet of Aleksandar Mitrovic at the top of the box. Wasting no time at all trying to find a teammate, the Serbian striker let fly, sending a booming strike into the top corner of the Norwich net. Four minutes later, Daryl Janmaat found his fellow countryman Wijnaldum on a cross, solidifying his hat trick with a thumping header from six yards out.

Three goals not being enough, Wijnaldum cut through an exhausted Norwich defense late in the game and sent a twisting strike into the corner of the net from nearly 20-yards out. Norwich keeper John Ruddy could only stand motionless and watch hopelessly as the Dutchman’s goal put the points firmly in the hands of United.

Fantasy Focus: Moussa Sissoko – Midfielder – Newcastle

Even with Georginio Wijnaldum’s four goals leading the way in this match, it was the offensive efforts of Moussa Sissoko that ensured victory for the Magpies. The French midfielder commanded United’s counter attack exertions all day, effortlessly finding space amongst the scattered Canaries. Sissoko had 3 assists in the match and would have had a fourth if not for a blocked shot that eventually led to Ayoze Perez’s 33^rd minute goal. Wijnaldum’s Man of the Match award notwithstanding, Sissoko proved that he is the engine that will drive the United attack moving forward.

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