Christian Atsu registered his first ever Premier League goal as Newcastle United beat Stoke City 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Magpies thus made it three wins in a row and climb inside the top four after five games.
Atsu, the Ghana international, scored the opening goal in the 19th minute at the St. James’ Park.
Mikel Merino and Isaac Hayden worked well to get the ball to Matt Ritchie who then played in a teasing cross from the right and Atsu arrived at the back post to poke home with ease from close range.
https://youtu.be/51Co5OuXmkc
Rafa Benitez’s men led 1-0 up at the break.
They could have increased the lead right from restart. Just 15 seconds into the second half, Atsu’s clipped pass found the Joselu right in front of goal but the Spaniard blazed it over the bar.
The hosts kept up the pressure and forced a succession of corners but Xherdan Shaqiri fired home with 56 minutes played. Newcastle United stood off the Swiss international and he fired home from outside the box with his left foot to tie the game up and make it 1-1.
The goal lifted Stoke and the visitors then started to apply further pressure with Elliot having to make a fine save to push away Mame Biram Diouf’s downward header.
Newcastle had a penalty shout mid-way through the second half after Ayoze Perez had slipped in Atsu. The winger raced towards goal with Kurt Zouma getting a foot in and upending Atsu but referee Stuart Attwell waved away protests.
A few minutes later though, St James’ Park fans were on their feet again.
Matt Ritchie’s corner on 68 minutes picked out Jamaal Lascelles and this time his header crashed off the bar to put his side back in front.
Newcastle held on to the 2-1 lead and deserved their third win a row.
Source: Footy-Ghana.com
