Sandro Tonali has scored five minutes into his Premier League debut for Newcastle United.
Back in July, Newcastle spent a reported £55 million to lure Tonali to St.James’ Park from AC Milan.
On Saturday, the Magpies were taking on Aston Villa in the opening match of the Premier League campaign.
Manager Eddie Howe started Tonali in the middle of the park.The Italian took just five minutes to score his first Premier League goal after he arrived at the right time to slot home a cross from Anthony Gordon.
Since Tonali's arrival, there have been rumours that the Italian looked like he wasn't enjoying himself as a Newcastle player, something the manager strongly denied.Howe said: “I’ve got no desire to drag anyone to Newcastle, they have to want to run here with no shoes on – that’s the mentality we want because you have to have that togetherness and desire to do well.
“He’ll show if he’s enjoying himself with his body language and how he plays. It certainly looks like he’s enjoying himself, certainly with the players around him in the first half,” he said. “I’d be surprised if he didn’t enjoy playing that style of football with the players he was with because it was a really attractive style of football.”However, Newcastle’s lead did not last very long as Villa found their equaliser five minutes after Tonali’s strike.
Another debutant, this time in the shape of Moussa Diaby fired Villa level after he was left unmarked inside the Newcastle penalty area to volley home.
The home side then went back in front courtesy of Alexander Isak, who finished the move off after the ball was played across the box by Sven Botman.
Isak was made to wait before he could celebrate after there was a lengthy VAR for offside, but Botman was adjudged to be onside and the goal was given.
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