Anonymity and Nick Woltemade had been already nicely on the best way to turning into strangers however, after this, there appears zero probability of the Germany striker ever with the ability to mix seamlessly into the background on Tyneside.
On condition that Woltemade's awkwardly angular 6ft 6in body is topped by a curly mop of brilliant blond hair and his distinctive moustache screams Seventies rock star – or maybe a shambolic but sensible tv detective of the type ideally suited to Demise in Paradise – he was already laborious to overlook.
By the twenty ninth minute right here Newcastle's report, £70m summer season signing from Stuttgart, eradicated any prospect of invisibility by assembly Jacob Murphy's cross and expertly dodging Emmanuel Agbadou. All that remained was for the brand new boy to cleverly, and powerfully, head the objective that will give Eddie Howe's group their first win of the season.
“It felt superb,” mentioned the No 27 afterwards. “All people was completely satisfied, I used to be completely satisfied. The Premier League is tough however I need to adapt and the coach gave me such a great feeling, I knew what to do.”
Up till his objective Woltemade had displayed some deft footwork and pleasing touches however appeared, understandably, just a little nervous. Together with his socks midway down his shins and his gait ungainly, it grew to become clear Alexander Isak's alternative is an unconventional form of striker.
Fortunately for Newcastle unorthodox most actually doesn't imply ineffective and as that bullet header whizzed previous Sam Johnstone and all 4 sides of the bottom sang Woltemade's identify there was an actual sense of “Alexander who?”
Isak's lengthy, gradual, painful £125m defection to Liverpool could have ruined Newcastle's summer season however, on this, admittedly early, proof, the person dubbed “the 2 metre Messi” and “WolteWow” by Stuttgart supporters might but illuminate their winter.
Way more a nine-and-a-half somewhat than a traditional No 9 Woltemade frequently dropped deep to realize possession and hyperlink play to extremely promising impact.
The irony is that, had Yoane Wissa, Newcastle's new £55m attacking purchase from Brentford, not wanted to seek the advice of a specialist a couple of knee harm sustained whereas on worldwide obligation with DR Congo final week, Woltemade would in all probability not have began.
Howe, who mentioned he had “no updates” on Wissa's knee, was thrilled to see the German rise to the problem. “Nick's very clever, very, very humble and an excellent communicator. He understood every part we needed him to do tactically,” mentioned Howe. “It was nice to see him scoring, he took his objective brilliantly; it was a really sturdy debut.”
On condition that Wolves began extraordinarily brightly it wanted to be. Certainly with the spectacular visiting proper wing-back Hugo Bueno inflicting all kinds of issues as he succeeded in ruffling even Tino Livramento, Newcastle followers initially feared their facet might drop additional factors.
But when Woltemade's killer first contact cued up Jacob Murphy for an in depth vary shot that Johnstone carried out wonders to repel from level clean vary after which because the German volleyed into the face of Yerson Mosquera, the gloom on the Gallowgate started easing.
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Whereas Howe was aggravated that Mosquera's fringe of the realm, final man, foul on Harvey Barnes produced no penalty and no purple card, Woltemade's objective pierced the stress.
The latter's attractive dinked go to Barnes may need doubled the benefit however the winger had strayed offside and at the same time as Murphy's shot hit the again of the online it was clear it might not rely.
The primary half ended with the, as soon as once more, indomitable, and excellent, Sandro Tonali thumping a left foot shot in opposition to a put up however Vítor Pereira's guests appeared on a mission to gather their first level – or factors of the season.
By the sixty fifth minute the star house debutant was beginning to battle with cramp and it got here as no shock when the elevating of the digital board signalled his departure to a standing ovation.
Newcastle's failure to increase their lead meant that, with out Woltemade round, edginess re-entered the sector, each on an off the pitch.
Regardless of lacking their injured key striker, and former Howe goal, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Wolves remained removed from out of issues till the ultimate whistle blew and Newcastle's supervisor walked throughout the pitch arm in arm with the match winner.
If he had purpose for aid that Strand Larsen's achilles didn't heal in time for involvement right here, he likely felt even happier that Woltemade was the striker he ended up with.
“Nick's an uncommon and really distinctive striker,” mentioned Howe. “He's additionally very humorous; the lads have actually taken to him.”
