Newcastle United supporters were ecstatic for former flop Joselu after he continued his Indian summer. In midweek, the 32-year-old earned a long-awaited call-up for his country and netted twice on debut from the bench against Norway on Saturday night.
Joselu has impressed for Espanyol following his arrival last summer, scoring 12 league goals to keep the club hovering above the relegation zone. The striker had rebuilt his career at Alaves once Newcastle made him surplus to requirements in 2019.
Rafa Benitez originally signed his compatriot two years earlier but the move did not work out, with Joselu bagging just seven times in 52 games across all competitions, and barely a whisper was heard when he left the club.
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Fast forward to the present and the born-again striker is flying after scoring twice to help Spain to a 3-0 win. Thrown on as a substitute in the closing stages, Joselu - who played alongside ex-Newcastle teammate Mikel Merino - netted twice in two minutes to sink a Norway side led by Arsenal talisman Martin Odegaard.
“I still can’t believe I’ve scored twice on my debut. For any player this is just the greatest thing that can happen,” Joselu said. “It's a reward for all the daily work you put in across a career. Just now, when there’s euphoria, I want to thank my wife, my mum, and my kids. They’ve all put in a mighty effort to support me to be here.”
While he failed to impress on Tyneside, Toon fans still expressed their love for a player who remains part of the Newcastle family. This is how supporters reacted to Joselu’s brace on social media.
@TomCutter10: Wish him nothing but good things. No resentment… he was plop for us. Some people just don't suit the Prem
@1211_Trent: He was a lot better than Chris Wood. Merino played last night as well. Rafa was a savvy operator on a restricted budget.
@JonSadler8: Real fairytale stuff. Over the moon for the lad. Never really worked out for him at NUFC but he never shirked and always gave 100%.
@TPridgeoni: He couldn't hit a barn door for us. Weird game football sometimes
@JakeJackmann: Joselu casually bagging a brace on Spain debut. What a man. Always rated him.
