Newcastle United finally see the real Yoane Wissa in full flow
It was only a matter of seconds away. As Yoane Wissa walked back to the substitutes’ bench, he was greeted by a voracious roar from the St James’ Park faithful and an even harder bear hug of appreciation by his manager Matthias Jaissle. Wissa responded with a ferocious roar himself, arms aloft, as he was adjudged to be player of the match in his side’s opening game against Liverpool.
While the Magpies had to eventually share the spoils, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s last-gasp penalty securing a 2–2 draw for the Reds, this will be remembered as the game where Newcastle fans at last saw what the real Yoane Wissa is capable of.
2025/26 was a season of great misfortune for the Congolese striker. A long-drawn saga, where he forced a move away from Brentford, culminated in a deadline-day move to Newcastle United, which was then followed by an injury-ravaged season where he managed just four league starts, scoring once. His off-field matters gathered equal scrutiny, with his refusal to join the DR Congo side for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to continue his season with the club.
Such was the atrocious nature of Wissa’s season that his name was being raised in conversations debating whether he was one of the club’s worst-ever forwards in the Premier League era. Fans were wondering whether they will ever be able to see the best of Wissa in a Newcastle shirt, with the club also showing a certain willingness to listen to offers for him.
However, last night saw Wissa at his absolute best, as he played easily his best-ever game in a Newcastle shirt, serving as the catalyst to everything good that Jaissle’s side managed against Liverpool in attack.
He started the game as a No. 10 and was then shifted back to his preferred position following an injury to William Osula. He grew in influence as the game wore on before having his moment in the 57th minute.
With less than two minutes having elapsed following Cody Gakpo’s spectacular equaliser for Liverpool, Wissa gathered the ball midway in his half before unleashing a rampaging run right through Liverpool’s midfield and laying off the ball to Joe Willock, who slotted home to give Newcastle the lead.
It was a spectacular turn of events and marked a tremendous comeback from Wissa, who was regarded as a non-entity in the final throes of Eddie Howe’s reign and started just once in the course of the Englishman’s final 22 games in charge.
His physicality, directness in touch and running, along with his instinct to make smart decisions whenever he has the ball, all were on full display against Liverpool, something that had completely gone away from him last year. Wissa himself spoke about these moments that threatened to take him to a dark place, sparking self-doubt and loathing.
While he was spectacular for most of the game, the hope is that he will get back his shooting instincts that saw him clinch 19 Premier League goals in the 2024/25 season. He was culpable of missing two very good chances against Liverpool, but that is a conversation for another day.
For now, Wissa and Newcastle United will both believe that this version of him is here to stay. If so, there is a host of good things waiting to happen for both club and player.
