Eddie Howe awarded his second January transfer Chris Wood his Newcastle United debut on Saturday, and some fans on social media loved the striker’s display against Watford.
The Toon dipped back into the market and paid Burnley £25m to bring Wood to St James’ Park on Thursday. United activated a release clause in the New Zealand centre-forward’s contract at Turf Moor to afford Howe a new attacker.
Howe needed to strengthen his forward options after the Magpies ruled Callum Wilson out for eight-weeks with a calf injury. The 29-year-old is their top-scorer in the Premier League so far this season with six goals in 15 games.
Wood arrived at Newcastle having scored three goals in 17 games for Burnley this term. He had also not scored since November 20, while only firing blanks in 14 Clarets matches, too.
Howe immediately thrust the 30-year-old into his starting line-up at the first time of asking amid Wilson’s injury-enforced absence, though. He partnered Ryan Fraser and Allan Saint-Maximin in a front-three, and almost secured only the Toon’s second win this season.
Saint-Maximin scored Newcastle’s only goal against Watford on Saturday by drifting in off the wing and firing home. The Frenchman now has five goals and one assist for the term after 20 top-flight appearances for the Tyneside natives.
Newcastle fans laud Wood after Toon debut vs Watford
Wood may not have scored against Watford, but the striker still impressed some Newcastle fans reacting on social media. A few noted how the forward shielded space in the box for Saint-Maximin to score, while his physical presence proved why Howe targeted the deal.
Newcastle could not hold on to beat Watford and climb out of the Premier League drop zone at the Hornet’s expense, however. The Vicarage Road natives rallied to pull level through Joao Pedro in the 88th-minute.
So, here are some of the posts Newcastle fans shared on Wood’s debut against Watford…
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