Most of the Newcastle United team could only watch on in disbelief at what Nick Pope did against Benfica on Tuesday night.
The goalkeeper kept his seventh clean sheet of the season, but that is not the reason why Nick Pope is the talk of the Toon following Newcastle United’s win over Benfica.
While Nick Pope played very well and made a couple of fantastic saves, he also influenced the game in the final third.
His outrageously long throw allowed Harvey Barnes to score the Magpies’ second, with the 33-year-old doing his best impression of an NFL quarterback. Newcastle fans sang Pope’s name following his assist, while his teammates quickly ran to celebrate with him.
Nick Pope celebrates after getting an assist during Newcastle United's Champions League game against Benfica.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Nick Woltemade reacts to Nick Pope’s incredible Champions League assist
Now the Newcastle United squad have taken to social media to react to what Nick Pope did in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Following the Magpies’ win over Benfica, the England international took to his official Instagram account to send a message to supporters.
Alongside pictures of him celebrating his assist with his teammates, Pope wrote: “#UCL assist & a clean sheet to cap a perfect night for the team.”
The post prompted messages from various members of the Toon dressing room, with Nick Woltemade responding.
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The German striker commented: “Strongest arm in Newcastle.”
There was also a reply from captain Bruno Guimaraes, who added: “What an assist mate.”
Finally, Harvey Barnes, who was the recipient of Pope’s amazing throw, wrote: “Thank you sir.”
Nick Pope’s Newcastle United assist was not planned
Given the extreme lengths that Eddie Howe goes into on the Newcastle United training ground, it would not come as a surprise if the Pope throw was a weapon they had worked on behind the scenes.
However, Barnes admitted after the game that what Pope did was completely off the cuff.
“No, that was an unlikely assist from Popey,” he told the club’s official website.
“You see it in the moment. It just opened up really nicely. It’s a great throw, it felt like it was in the air forever.
“It breaks and it’s just instinct from there. You get your head down, get in the box and keep your composure.”
Pope showed incredible vision to spot Barnes in so much space, then to execute the throw was even more impressive. It was pure instinct, yet it ended up giving Newcastle United breathing space on a pivotal Champions League night.
The victory means the Magpies have six out of a possible nine points in Europe so far, with Athletic Club up next. Eddie Howe will be targeting a third consecutive Champions League victory, as the La Liga side head to St James’ Park on 5th November.
There will certainly be fireworks if Pope bags another assist that night!