The Newcastle striker has notched 17 goals in the English second tier, with less than half the season played.
When Dwight Gayle made the switch to Newcastle United from Crystal Palace in the summer, for a fee Sky Sports reported to be £10m, few could have expected the impact the 26 year-old would make on the Sky Bet Championship.
As Rafa Benitez elected to stay on with the Tyneside club, the Spaniard sought to recruit a pacy, proven scorer – even at the top level.
Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring the third goal for Newcastle United
Gayle’s exploits this term have far exceeded expectations, as the Walthamstow forward has lit up the second tier this season. The question remains; Can Dwight Gayle break the league’s goalscoring record this campaign?
Up until this term, the former Eagles man had amassed 15 goals in South London over a rather curtailed three-year spell – a sum which has now evidently been surpassed, albeit it at a lower level.
17 goals in as many appearances is nevertheless an impressive record to boast. Gayle has scored two hat-tricks already and three further braces.
On the first occasion the Magpies forward took away the match ball, he scored a 96th minute winner in front of the St. James’ Park faithful versus rivals Norwich City, to firmly etch his place in into Tyneside folklore.
Glenn Murray (C) celebrates scoring Crystal Palace’s first goal with Yannick Bolasie and Ashley Richards (R)
The target now for Gayle is the golden 30 mark. Set by Brighton’s Glenn Murray – curiously enough at Crystal Palace during the 2012/13 campaign. It should be noted that Murray is only three short of Gayle himself on 14 this term.
In that season, Murray scored trios against both Cardiff City and Ipswich Town, however injury prevented what could have been an even greater total.
24 games remain in the 2016/17 season, 13 of those being at home. Not that that fact will bother Gayle one jot, having netted six on the road this season so far.
Newcastle have scored at least three goals in a game in six outings already and whilst the Championship remains as unpredictable as ever, Rafa Benitez knows how to get the best of his players, as he did with Liverpool.
Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle celebrates with teammates after he scores his sides fourth goal completing his hat trick
For Dwight Gayle to add another 13 league goal and then break that figure, the onus is not just on him but in particular the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Mo Diame and the distribution of Matt Ritchie. Relatively speaking, 13 goals in 24 games seems a more than realistic target.
Whilst Newcastle United’s main priority is to make an immediate return the the Premier League this season, their striker may give them cause for a double celebration come May.
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