Newcastle striker Joelinton scored two goals in the same game for the first time in his Premier League career during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Norwich City.
Eddie Howe’s side recorded a fourth straight win in England’s top-flight on Saturday over a Canaries side destined for relegation at Carrow Road. The Brazilian former Hoffenheim man got the opening two goals, with fellow countryman Bruno Guimaraes completing the scoring after half-time.
For Joelinton, it was only the second time in his Newcastle career he has scored a brace, with his other coming in a 7-0 Carabao Cup win over Morecambe in September 2020.
Since signing for Newcastle from Hoffenheim for £40m in 2019, the 25-year-old has scored just ten times in 100 appearances in the Premier League, 20 per cent of which coming on Saturday. While his goal record has not been anywhere near what fans had hoped, he has gained more popularity among supporters this term, having been used in a deeper role at times.
At full time at Carrow Road, Joelinton’s goals led to plenty of love from the Magpies’ travelling fans and after a taste of scoring two key goals in the 3-0 victory, the Brazilian has vowed to try and create more special moments for the club’s fans in the future.
"It's a nice feeling after a tough time. I feel this love from the fans,” Joelinton told Chronicle Live. "It's a great feeling and now I want to give them more nice moments. We played very well, we scored the first goal and controlled the game.
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"We continued that throughout and I'm very happy to see us get the three points. I am very pleased with two goals, very happy and pleased. "
Joelinton’s current tally of four Premier League goals this season is his joint-career best for a campaign in England, matching that number during the 2020/21 term. The Brazilian has also provided one league assist this season, one less than the two he managed during each of his first two campaigns at St James’ Park.
While his goal tally has again been low this term, as per WhoScored.com, Joelinton (6.88) has the second highest average player rating of the season in the Premier League this term for Newcastle (minimum 15 appearances). Only French winger Allan Saint-Maximin (7.13) has a better average rating.
Newcastle are currently the most in-form team in England’s top-flight. In the last four games in the Premier League, Howe’s side are the only team to have recorded wins in all four.
In 2022, Newcastle have picked up 32 points from their 15 league games, with only Liverpool (38) having a bigger haul of points since the turn of the year. Much of that great form has come at home, with the Magpies taking 19 points from a possible 21 in their seven home games.
Newcastle’s final four league games of the season are against Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and relegation-threatened Burnley.
