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 bearhug of appreciation by his manager Matthias Jaissler. Wissa responded by 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, it will be a game where Newcastle United fans at last seen 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. A deadline-day move to Newcastle United followed, which was then followed by an injury-ravaged season where he managed just 4 Premier League starts, scoring just 1 goal. His off-field matters gathered equal scrutiny, with his refusal to join the DR Congo side for the 2025 African Cup of Nations to continue his season with the club.

Such was the atrocious nature of Wissa’s season that his name has been raised in conversations and shouts about him being arguably one of the club’s worst-ever Number 9’s in the club’s existence 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, having what was his best-ever game in a Magpies shirt as he was the catalyst to everything good that Jaissle’s side did against Liverpool in attack.

He started the game as a Number 10, and then was shifted back to his preferred position following an injury to Will Osula. He grew in influence as the game wore on, before having his moment in the game in the 57th minute.

With less than 2 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 before laying off the ball to Joe Willock, who slotted home to give Newcastle the lead.

It was a spectacular turn of events and tremendous comeback from Wissa who was regarded as a non-entity in the final throes of Eddie Howe’s reign, starting just once in the course of his final 22 games in charge.

The physicality, power, strength, directness in touch and running, along with his instinct of making smart decisions whenever he has the ball is back on full display, 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.

“It has been very difficult for me, but everything like that is in the past. I feel good. It was very tough, honestly: physically and mentally. It is only the World Cup that really helped me change my mood, enabling me to trust myself as well as my body.”

While he was spectacular for most of the game, the hope is that he will get back his shooting instincts that saw him help himself to 19 Premier League goals in the 2024/25 season. He was culpable of missing two very good chances, but that is a conversation for another day.

For now, Wissa and Newcastle United will both believe that this version of Wissa will be here to stay. If so, there is a host of good things waiting to happen to both club and player.