Salomon Rondon fired Newcastle United to their second Premier League win of the season.
Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that Newcastle United won’t have a relegation battle this season if Salomon Rondon stays fit.
The on-loan West Bromwich Albion hitman scored twice as Newcastle beat Bournemouth 2-1 at St James’s Park on Saturday.
First, Rondon fired Newcastle into the lead after only seven minutes, before his thumping header shortly before half time gave Rafael Benitez’s side a cushion.
It was the Magpies’ second Premier League win of the season, after opening their account at home to Watford last week, while yesterday’s brace represented Rondon’s first two goals of what had been a difficult campaign for the Venezuela striker, who has struggled with injury at times.
But Merson said to Sky Sports that United should have no issue staying in the top flight if Benitez can keep the 29-year-old fit.
Asked whether Rondon could be the difference in staying up, the former Arsenal man said: “I think 100% and I say that because longer the game went on, even though you say he’s not fit, he holds the ball up, he’s a presence. He was always lively and could have had a hat-trick.
“He got two good goals, especially the second one, a header – a phenomenal header. Comes in from Kenedy and a proper number nine header.”
Newcastle might be 14th in the Premier League table now, but they’re still only one point clear of the bottom three.
It could still be a very long and very tough season for Benitez’s side but, with two wins on the bounce, at least they’re beginning to get a bit of momentum.
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