Newcastle United beat Preston North End 6-0 in the EFL Cup yesterday.
Rafael Benitez has told BBC Radio Newcastle that he encouraged Mohamed Diame to ensure he got on the scoresheet for a second time, after the powerful midfielder missed a sitter during Newcastle United’s 6-0 victory over Preston North End.
Diame was guilty of spurning a golden opportunity during Newcastle’s comfortable win, but he responded in the perfect way.
The former Hull City midfielder scored with two fine finishes, to make sure his missed chance did not live long in the memory.
And Benitez said: “Diame made the first goal, that was good. But then when he missed the chance I told him ‘listen, the only way now is to score another goal’. That was a really good reaction from him.”
Diame’s strikes were his first in a Newcastle shirt, after he joined them from Hull during the summer transfer window.
Diame has, perhaps, not had the immediate impact that many expected at St. James’ Park, but his display last night was arguably his finest in a black and white shirt to date.
The Senegalese attacking midfielder could now keep his place in Newcastle’s team for their match against Preston North End at the weekend, but he faces fierce competition.
Ayoze Perez is battling it out with Diame for a spot in Benitez’s starting line-up, and the Spanish forward has now netted three times in his last two outings for the Tynesiders.
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