Anthony Elanga caught the eye on his first St James' Park appearance since signing from Nottingham Forest
Football content editor for Chronicle Live, Sunderland Live, Gazette Live, Leeds Live, Yorkshire Live and Hull Live. A North East native, he has been working in sports journalism since 1995. Stuart has worked on the Sunday Sun, Chronicle and the Journal since move from the Gateshead Post in 1999.
Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United
Newcastle United's Anthony Elanga showed electric pace against Atletico
(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Amid all the frustrations of Newcastle United's summer transfer window, Antony Elanga's £55m move from Nottingham Forest has perhaps been somewhat overlooked.
While there was plenty of positivity surrounding the big-money deal back in early July, the Alexander Isak saga and failed bids for the likes of Benjamin Sesko has taken the focus in the month that followed.
That is until Saturday afternoon at a sun-drenched St James' Park.
The United faithful packed out the famous old stadium for the second of two pre-season friendlies on home turf, and were rewarded with their first sight of Elanga in black-and-white.
What they saw over the first 45 minutes of the clash with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid will have only whetted their appetites for the season ahead.
He gave Aleti new boy Matteo Ruggeri a torid time in the first half, regularly outstripping the former Atalanta defender for pace in a display of acceleration which had fans off their feet.
While Anthony Gordon was industrious in the central striker role, you couldn't help but feel that if Elanga had a more obvious centre-forward to pick out, the scoreline could have been different by the break.
It almost makes you wonder what his Swedish international team-mate Isak made of it all.
Anthony Elanga for Newcastle United
Anthony Elanga impressed for Newcastle United
For all Elanga's attacking threat in the first period, Atletico stifled his influence in the second period in what should serve as a tactical warning to both player and head coach Eddie Howe.
Visiting boss Diego Simeone ensured the 23-year-old had precious little time on the ball as the match wore on, with the service to the right flank largely cut out.
United will face lesser sides that Madrid this season, but they will have to find a way of getting him into games in those situations.
It was a hugely positive first impression, however, something which Howe highlighted after the game.
“I thought he had a good first half today,” Howe said of the winger following the 2-0 defeat. “When we got on the ball early, he showed his one vs one ability.