Former Newcastle defender John Anderson has a new favourite Magpies player in Amar Dedic following the full-back's impressive start on Tyneside.
After Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-0, Anderson praised a number of the individual performances from Mathias Jaissle's side.
"I'm always cautious," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "It's only two games in, but there's more encouraging signs than there is negativity, that's for sure."
"Nico Gonzalez came in and had an excellent debut. Anthony Elanga looks like a new player compared with last season, when he came in for a lot of criticism. Yoane Wissa the same. They're like two new signings as well because of the way that they've played in the opening games. Lewis Miley came into midfield and just strolled - he and Gonzalez bossed it in there.
"Defensively, we were worried. I was worried about Sven Botman coming into the season because his form in pre-season had been really poor. But, he and Malick Thiaw are building up a good relationship.

#gonzalez #like #worried #former

Newcastle United earned its first Premier League victory under Matthias Jaissle with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, as Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa struck after halftime, while Lukas Hornicek also played a major role in net, producing several first-half saves before Newcastle took control.
The Magpies were the better side to start the game, although Tottenham slowly but surely turned into the stronger side through the whole first half and created the better chances past the midway point of the first frame.
Pedro Porro saw one close-range effort blocked, while Mathys Tel and Jan Paul van Hecke both forced good saves from Hornicek. Newcastle struggled to create clear openings, but Amar Dedic and Elanga showed occasional promise down the right.
Newcastle remained compact enough to reach halftime level, with Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman handling Tottenham's central threats well. Nico Gonzalez, making his debut after joining from Manchester City, also settled quickly in midfield and showed his passing range, though he needed time to adjust defensively.
The game shifted after the break. Just past the hour, Gonzalez launched a superb diagonal pass toward Dedic, whose cushioned header found Elanga inside the box. The winger controlled, spun away from Sandro Tonali and drilled a left-footed finish across Antonin Kinsky and in off the far post for his second goal in two league games.

#newcastle #gonzalez

Newcastle United overcame Tottenham Hotspur to continue their unbeaten start to the 2026/27 campaign.
The Magpies took the lead through Anthony Elanga before Yoane Wissa doubled it to hand Matthias Jaissle's team all three points.
Elanga has finally found his groove after struggling last season following his arrival at Newcastle.
Wissa has also shaken off the injuries and looks like a brand new signing for the Geordies.
However, arguably the most impressive player on the pitch for Newcastle was right-back Amar Dedic, who has been a revelation.

#yoane

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi said he was "not angry" and there was "no panic" after his side's second loss in two games left them bottom of the Premier League – but it was a depressingly familiar story for the club's fans.
Goals from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa in a 10-minute second-half spell gave Newcastle a 2-0 victory, with thousands of Spurs supporters heading for the exits early.
They have every reason to be annoyed as they have now seen only three home league wins from their past 23 matches at their superb stadium.
Seventeenth in the Premier League in 2024-25, 17th in 2025-26, only avoiding relegation on the final day, but this season was meant to be different.
With more than £300m spent in the summer, Spurs fans were expecting a push to get back into Europe, having won the Europa League two seasons ago and been in the last 16 of the Champions League in March.

#zerbi

Newcastle United travel to North London on Saturday still searching for their first league win of the season, having twice led at home to Liverpool before a stoppage-time penalty earned the visitors a point. Matthias Jaissle's side backed that performance up with a 3-2 Carabao Cup win over West Bromwich Albion in midweek.
Newly-appointed captain Dan Burn remains out with ankle ligament damage, and Joelinton (groin) and Tino Livramento (calf) are also sidelined. William Osula is still nursing a foot injury and remains unavailable. New signing Bazoumana Toure scored against West Brom despite "feeling a bit of pain" during that match and is expected to be fit for Saturday.
Nico Gonzalez, unveiled to supporters as a £50 million signing from Manchester City before the West Brom win, could be handed his Newcastle debut, though that would likely mean either Lewis Miley or fellow new arrival Sean Steur making way.
Anthony Elanga, who opened the scoring against Liverpool, is expected to be preferred to Jacob Murphy on the right, while Harvey Barnes, who scored twice against West Brom, and Toure compete for the left-wing spot.
With Osula still unavailable, Nick Woltemade is set to retain his place in attack alongside Yoane Wissa. Amar Dedic, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall are expected to form the back four in front of Lukas Horníček, who has taken over as Newcastle's goalkeeper for the time being.

#saturday #toure #lewis

It was a treble of sorts, though not one that brought the match ball or any cause for celebration. Liverpool's season started at Newcastle, paying tribute to a man who scored hat-tricks for both clubs, in Kevin Keegan. Ryan Gravenberch's campaign began with passes that led to three goals. Although the inconvenient detail was that two of them were Newcastle goals.
In the Dutchman's defence, two misplaced ****** , even one from a backheel, could easily have been forgotten, given that he lost the ball around 80 yards from his own goal, but for the clinical nature of Newcastle's lightning counterattacks. Though a contributory factor was that Liverpool's supposedly defensive midfielder was so advanced, caught ahead of the ball when a change in manager may make it even more important he is behind it.
Andoni Iraola highlighted the potential reward entailed in the risks his side take. "I understand that Ryan Gravenberch is basically the No 6 and is on the edge of the box, and if he shoots and scores then we are saying what a play from Ryan Gravenberch," the new head coach reflected.
"I don't want us to take that from his game but we have to adapt as a team to these situations, we have to know these situations can happen. The second goal we did better in terms of having the numbers to defend, but we don't make a foul or go to the first challenge. It's not just because one person is playing there. It's something we have to correct between a lot of players."
There are various aspects to it; the duties of committing the tactical foul in many a team, fall to the defensive midfielder. So, too, the broader task of subduing the opposition's No 10, and Newcastle's Yoane Wissa was the man of the match on Sunday.

#ball #gravenberch #even

Newcastle United host Liverpool at St James' Park on Sunday evening in Matthias Jaissle's first competitive match in charge, at the end of a summer defined by significant upheaval on Tyneside.
Jaissle arrives from Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League to replace Eddie Howe, who left the club after the start of pre-season. He inherits a squad that has sold Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon for a combined fee in excess of £240m, alongside the earlier departure of Kieran Trippier to Wolves.
Joelinton is the most notable absentee. Jaissle confirmed the midfielder is out with a groin injury but should return within a couple of weeks. Tino Livramento remains sidelined with a calf problem that forced him to withdraw from England's World Cup squad, and Fabian Schär is also being monitored for fitness. Lewis Miley made his first appearance since breaking his leg in last weekend's 2–1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, but whether he is ready to start remains uncertain.
Sean Steur is expected to be handed his full debut in central midfield, though fellow new signing Aladji Bamba offers a genuine alternative in the same role. Amar Dedic, Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman continue to bed in alongside captain Lewis Hall at the back. Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes provide the width, with Yoane Wissa operating just behind William Osula, who leads the line. Lukas Hornicek continues in goal, having established himself as the club's first-choice option this summer.
Newcastle United possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Ramsey, Steur; Elanga, Wissa, Barnes; Osula

#first #lewis #steur #botman

Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa scored twice to give head coach Matthias Jaissle a 2-1 win against Valencia in his first pre-season friendly in charge.
Filip Ugrinic opened the scoring for Valencia with a curling effort at the Mestalla Stadium, before captain Jose Gaya was sent off for a bad tackle on Anthony Elanga.
Substitute Wissa equalised with a calm finish from close range and then went on to put the visitors in front after new signing Bazoumana Toure unselfishly squared the ball to him to slot home.
How did the Newcastle players perform against the Spanish side?
Lukas Hornicek: Comfortable in possession and made a couple of decent saves. But needs to be more ***** ertive with his communication to his centre-backs and command his area. 7

#united

Newcastle United's move for Aladji Bamba underlines a marked shift in transfer strategy for the Magpies.
It is certainly hard to imagine the club spending £55m on a 29-year-old again like they did when they signed forward Yoane Wissa from Brentford last summer.
Instead, Newcastle have targeted players aged 20 and under on the continent this time around.
Bamba, like Sean Steur, Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure, will need time to adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League - and it is worth stressing the 20-year-old Frenchman has made only 12 competitive starts for Monaco.
But Newcastle have to take calculated risks this summer before such talents become potentially out of reach.

#newcastle #magpies #yoane

Defender Axel Tuanzebe said the Democratic Republic of the Congo feel they let slip a chance to make history in the 2-1 loss to England in the World Cup last 32.
Congo, in only their second men's World Cup, followed a strong group stage by taking a shock early lead against England through Brian Cipenga.
Yoane Wissa then hit the post as the underdogs threatened to go 2-0 up, but Three Lions skipper Harry Kane scored twice in the second half to set up a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico.
"Ultimately we're kicking ourselves more so because we felt we should've definitely held out the game," Tuanzebe, who grew up in England, told the BBC.
"We probably should've finished it in the first half as well but it was unfortunate it was not meant to be for us today."

Having topped their group with seven points from a possible nine, England will now face DR Congo in the round of 32, with a win setting up a last 16 tie with Mexico at the Azteca this weekend.
DR Congo advanced to the knockout rounds after finishing as the best third-place team, with four points and a positive goal difference, overcoming a group that included Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan. They drew their opening game 1-1 with Portugal, then lost 1-0 to Colombia and defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in their final group game.
Meanwhile, the Three Lions perhaps had a mildly underwhelming group stage despite their strong opening performance against Croatia, as it was followed by a goalless draw with Ghana and an unconvincing 2-0 win over Panama this past Saturday night thanks to second half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
England struggled to break down the low blocks of their final two opponents in the group, which doesn’t bode particularly well heading into this meeting with DR Congo, who will likely look to frustrate England rather than pressing them high up the pitch and leaving gaps for players like Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Bellingham to operate in.
Yoane Wissa has been the standout performer for Les Léopards; he found the net three times in the group stage, including a spectacular finish from outside the area in their win over Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Kane and Bellingham have been shining lights for England so far, with five of England’s six goals so far coming from the pair.

DR Congo face England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday evening in a World Cup last 32 tie that represents the most significant match in the country’s football history.
Sébastien Desabre’s side qualified as the highest-ranked third-place team in the tournament, finishing one point behind Portugal in Group K. They enter this fixture having already held a European heavyweight and come from behind to win in the group stage. A nation more accustomed to footballing heartbreak than celebration, DR Congo arrives in Atlanta with a genuine belief that they can cause an upset.
Desabre has no injury concerns to manage and is expected to revert to the 5-3-2 system used in two of the three group-stage matches, having switched to a back four for the must-win game against Uzbekistan. The personnel in the back five provide a familiarity with English football that is arguably unique in this tournament.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, at right wing-back, spent several years at Manchester United and knows Premier League football intimately. Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba — the captain with over 100 caps — and Arthur Masuaku complete a defensive unit built on experience and Premier League pedigree.
Yoane Wissa is the tournament’s breakout performer from the DR Congo squad. The Newcastle United forward had a difficult season in the Premier League but has been transformed at this World Cup, scoring three of the Leopards’ four group-stage goals — including a header against Portugal and a brace against Uzbekistan.

ATLANTA ― Congo threw a World Cup party at Mercedes-Benz on Saturday. The invitation was 52 years in the making.
The typical confetti for such an occasion was replaced by pinnies joyfully thrown into the air when the final whistle sounded. There was also dancing ― well, rather impressive ***** scooting for one Congo staffer ― on the pitch and in the stands after Les Léopards beat Uzbekistan 3-1.
The victory, Congo's first ever at the World Cup after two appearances (1974, 2026), secured the best possible gift for an entire nation: a date with England in the round of 32 for the first time.
The win came after a stunning 1-1 draw against Portugal, a 1-0 loss to Colombia, and what felt like an insurmountable 1-0 Uzbekistan lead in the first half, until daylight broke through at the 68th minute. Yoane Wissa wound up, ran forward and impeccably stumbled into a penalty kick equalizer.
"That showed that nothing is easy in football, in life, and we just need to show resilience. And when the time like this comes, we have to enjoy (it). You have to enjoy because it's not easy," Wissa said postgame.

How DR Congo made first-ever World Cup knockout stage after dramatic win over Uzbekistan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
African sides have put on a show in the 2026 World Cup, embracing the spotlight of an expanded tournament to showcase their talents to the world.
Few sides have captivated audiences quite like DR Congo, one of the continent's most notable outfits.
The Leopards showcased their gifts in an enchanting 1-1 draw with heavily-favored Portugal, dancing across the pitch with intricate passing, fast feet and a wondrous Yoane Wissa strike.
Two games later, the Leopards are in the hat for the Round of 32, having downed Uzbekistan in dramatic fashion.

Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and progress to the round of 32 of the World Cup.
The African nation, who returned to the tournament after a 52-year absence, will now face England in the knockout stage on Wednesday after finishing third in Group K.
Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring in the 10th minute in Atlanta, converting from a tight angle after an Abbosbek Fayzullaev header into the box.DR Congo thought they had levelled minutes later when Nathanael Mbuku fired in a left-footed shot.
However, the goal was disallowed after a review, with the referee ruling that Mbuku had caught Sherzod Nasrullaev in the face with a flailing arm in the build-up.
DR Congo eventually levelled in the second half, when Newcastle United striker Wissa sent the Uzbekistan goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter
England will face DR Congo in the round of 32 in Atlanta after beating Panama to finish as Group L winners, while the African side earned a first ever win at the World Cup.
The African side conceded inside just 10 minutes to Uzbekistan’s all-time leading goalscorer Eldor Shomurodov lobbing Lionel Mpasi Nzau, when the goalkeeper was left stranded by a miscommunication with Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But Yoane Wissa’s brace either side of Fiston Mayele scoring from off the bench in the second half completed an inspired comeback in Atlanta, where they will return to face the Three Lions on the 1st of July at 17:00 (BST).
They rose to second in the third-placed teams ranking, level on points with Graham Potter’s Sweden.

Congo advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time by rallying to a 3-1 win against Uzbekistan on Saturday night.
The African nation was playing in soccer’s biggest tournament for only the second time in its history after a 52-year absence. Two second-half goals from Yoane Wissa and one from Fiston Mayele sealed the win and saw Congo join Cape Verde as another surprise qualifier for the round of 32.
Uzbekistan led through Eldor Shomurodov’s first-half strike that looked set to end Congo’s hopes.
But Sébastien Desabre’s team, which had already pulled off one of the surprise results of the World Cup by holding Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to a 1-1 draw in its opening game, fought back after the break.
Trailing to Shomurodov’s lobbed goal in the 10th minute, Congo equalized in the 68th when Wissa was brought down by Abdukodir Khusanov in the box for a penalty.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended his team from what he described as “unfair and unjust” criticism after the squad, most notably superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, laboured in a poor opening to their World Cup campaign.
Portugal are one of the major contenders to win this summer’s tournament but were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in Houston last week.
Joao Neves put them in front in the first six minutes but Yoane Wissa equalised for Congo late in the first half and Portugal failed to make their dominance of the ball count.
Martinez was criticised for not withdrawing Ronaldo, who looked out of ideas, firing wide twice in the second half and only having 25 touches over the course of the game.
Martinez said on Monday: “We are playing a World Cup so of course we have a lot of noise and tension, but it’s part of the game.

It was perhaps the perfect way to conclude the opening round of games for this World Cup. Portugal had been leading and strong favourites, Cristiano Ronaldo toiling for that goal to match the other big names, only for the comparatively more humble Yoane Wissa to plunder an emphatic equaliser.
In the joyous celebrations that followed, it wasn’t just a squad coming together but a country enjoying a national moment: DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal.
There have been a few moments like it, from Livano Comenencia’s goal for Curacao against Germany to Aymen Hussein’s for Iraq against Norway and even Cabo Verde securing that 0-0 draw against Spain. They’ve formed a theme of an enjoyably competitive World Cup so far, before you eventually get to the big ones that decide finals and the trophy.
There is also a serious point here, amid so much euphoria. Can any moment in any other sphere inspire such unity for a country, such a rush of collectivism?
It’s been described as a “benign nationalism”, and you can instantly see what it means. For some of the players and staff, though, there’s much more meaning to it than even emotional release.

Colombia seized the moment in their first World Cup appearance since 2018, taking down Uzbekistan, 3-1. Midfielder Luis Díaz was the star of the show, recording an ****** ist along with the tie-breaking goal during the 65th minute.
On the other hand, Congo broke an even longer drought last night--one that stretched as far back as 1974. While they did not come out win a win, Congo tied Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, 1-1, as Yoane Wissa banked in the equalizer during stoppage time after the first half.
Meanwhile in MLB, the New York Mets warded off a sweep by the Cincinnati Reds with a commanding 9-1 win in the rubber matchup as the offense erupted for four runs in the fifth inning when a sacrifice fly by Mark Vientos drove in Bo Bichette, followed by a string of RBIs from Francisco Álvarez and A.J. Ewing.
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First Pick: Mexico vs South Korea--Under 2.5 Goals

Roberto Martinez’s management of Cristiano Ronaldo has come under fresh scrutiny after Portugal’s World Cup opener left pundits questioning who really makes the big calls.
Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo in Group K, despite taking an early lead through Joao Neves before Yoane Wissa equalized in first-half stoppage time. Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but failed to register a goal, **** ist or shot on target.
The result itself was disappointing for Portugal. But the bigger talking point was whether Martinez should have taken Ronaldo off as the game appeared to be moving away from him.
Chris Sutton did not hold back in his **** sment, criticizing Martinez as Portugal chased a winner with Ronaldo still on the pitch.
Sutton said: “That’s embarrassing from Martinez. It might work but are we all watching a different game?

Cristiano Ronaldo's record-equalling sixth World Cup got off to a disappointing start as the Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first ever point at the finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K match on Wednesday.
Yoane Wissa's header cancelled out Joao Neves's early goal and the African side -- appearing in their first World Cup since 1974 when it was known as Zaire -- more than held their own.
Ronaldo, 41, was largely a peripheral figure throughout the match -- failing to make the impact his great rival Lionel Messi had done on Tuesday in scoring a hat-trick against Algeria.
The DRC's achievement was even greater given their preparations had been disrupted by the Ebola outbreak back in their country.
Some Portugal players were wearing wrist bands, given to them by their Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, in tribute to late team-mate Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash last year.

DR Congo, in its first World Cup match ever, was tasked with taking on Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, a side picked by many to make a deep run in the tournament.
But thanks to a stunning equalizer just before halftime, the nation has its first World Cup goal, a moment that touched off an incredible celebration not just back in DR Congo, but in Lisbon as well.
While Portugal enjoyed the run of play in the first half, DR Congo secured a pair of late corners during stoppage time. On the second, the ball was played short and eventually to defender Arthur Masuaku, who sent in a lovely cross into the box that found Yoane Wissa:
Wissa’s header found the back of the next, sparking celebrations in Houston:
But also in Lisbon.

Thought it would be a blowout? You thought WRONG!
Portugal even opened the scoring, but DR Congo equalized, already in first-half stoppage time!
Yoane Wissa’s goal, by the way, really set social media on fire, with A LOT of people celebrating!
Check out some of the main reactions below!