Newcastle's Wissa Scores First Goal After Injury Comeback

Yoane Wissa waited months for this moment, and when it came, he made it count.

The Newcastle United striker scored his first Champions League goal just eight minutes into Wednesday's match against PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park. After suffering a serious knee injury in September before even completing his first training session with the club, Wissa finally showed fans why Newcastle invested £55 million in him.

The 28-year-old forward didn't just find the net early. He also set up Newcastle's second goal with aggressive pressing that forced a defensive error, earning himself a standing ovation when he was substituted in the second half.

Coach Eddie Howe knew the mental toll the injury had taken. "For any new player to come and get a serious injury, having not even done a training session, that's really tough mentally," Howe said after the match. "He came here for these nights."

Wissa's journey to this breakthrough was anything but smooth. His move from Brentford dragged through the transfer deadline, disrupting his preseason preparation. Then came the injury that sidelined him for months while his new teammates built chemistry on the pitch.

Teammate Harvey Barnes understood the frustration firsthand. "I had a similar start here. I know how tough it is just watching from the stands," Barnes told reporters. "I know how delighted he will be."

Why This Inspires

Wissa now wears Newcastle's legendary number nine shirt, following in the footsteps of Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. That pressure could crush some players, especially after such a difficult start. But Wednesday night proved his resilience.

His playing style brings something different to Newcastle's attack. According to Opta statistics, among Premier League forwards with at least 250 minutes this season, Wissa ranks first for making runs into the penalty area to receive crosses. He's also 15th for runs in behind defenses.

Howe called having Wissa available "transformative" for the team. The striker's Premier League experience and aggressive style complement fellow forward Nick Woltemade perfectly, giving Newcastle the striking depth they needed after losing top scorer Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer.

Next up is a crucial Champions League match against Paris Saint Germain, where Newcastle can secure automatic qualification to the knockout stages. After a controversial penalty decision cost them victory in Paris two years ago, the team is eager to prove themselves again.

For Wissa, these high-stakes European nights under the lights are exactly why he pushed for this move, and now he's finally healthy enough to savor them.