1 week Ago By [email protected] (Aaron Stokes)
The biggest roar of the day as Newcastle United beat Ipswich Town at St James' Park was reserved for the 80th minute as William Osula towered above his counterparts and headed home his first Premier League goal. The attacker, 21, wheeled away towards the corner flag, mobbed by his co-stars and joined for a little dance by Bruno Guimaraes in front of the Gallowgate crowd. For Osula, who has had to be extremely patient since arriving from Sheffield United in the summer, there was a clear mix of joy and relief as he made the most of his latest cameo appearance.
The reaction of the supporters inside St James' Park speaks volumes as to how well-liked the youngster is on Tyneside after only a few months. After all, Osula has only played 96 minutes of Premier League football for United this season. He is clearly raw but filled with untapped potential and represents a huge presence in the dressing room.
Osula recently took centre stage at Newcastle's post-Carabao Cup final celebrations in the city centre, prompting Ant McPartlin to admit, live on air during the open-top bus parade, that he 'wanted to go for a pint' with the striker. The reaction of his fellow Toon stars as he celebrated his goal against Ipswich Town suggests they too enjoy his company in and around the dressing room. But in terms of actual playing time on the pitch, Eddie Howe has restricted his minutes this term - and likely will continue to do so with Callum Wilson fit again.
However, there is certainly hope that more opportunities arise for Osula in the future after breaking his duck. "I think it's a difficult one to judge but we think he's improved," Howe responded when asked how much Osula can improve going forward. "Obviously the acid test will be when he performs on the pitch and in the team - and today I thought he was excellent.
"He came on on the wing which is a totally different position, that's obvious, but it's a totally different position and a different skill set to playing as a No9. But I thought he looked a real threat, he looked quick and athletic, and the goal I thought was an outstanding finish. "He's 6'3, verging on 6'4, so he needs to be a physical presence.
He needs to use his aerial skills. I'm delighted that he got his first Premier League goal.".
