Georginio Wijnaldum plundered four goals as Newcastle United thrashed Norwich City 6-2 at St James’ Park on Sunday to belatedly claim their first win of the Premier League season.
Wijnaldum was a member of the Holland team that failed to qualify for Euro 2016 earlier in the week, but he shrugged off the disappointment with a brilliant quadruple that eased some of the pressure on Newcastle manager Steve McClaren.
– Euro 2016: See the playoff draw in its entirety
– Gulf Cup: Tournament in doubt after Kuwait’s FIFA ban
– #360Fans: Watch Manchester derby at City Fanzone
– RATE, WIN, SHARE: With Sport360 and ValoraFutbol
Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic also found the net, while Moussa Sissoko played his part with four assists, as Newcastle secured a league victory at the ninth attempt ahead of next weekend’s trip to northeast derby rivals Sunderland, who replaced them at the foot of the table.
Norwich were 3-2 down at half-time, having scored through Dieumerci Mbokani — making his full league debut — and Nathan Redmond, who also hit the post in the second half.
But despite a strong start to the second period they ended up well beaten, leaving Alex Neil’s side just three points above the relegation zone in 16th place.
Yesssssss 3 points well done boys Amazing 4 goals from Gini hopefully 1st of many more Hattricks to come! #GINI #6-2 pic.twitter.com/tibVfTgiCE
— Tim Krul (@TimKrul) October 18, 2015
The hosts went ahead in the 14th minute when Sissoko picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and threaded a pass through to Wijnaldum, a close-season signing from PSV Eindhoven, who steered a low shot into the bottom-left corner.
Robbie Brady sounded the Norwich revolt, cracking a shot against the post from 30 yards, and the visitors equalised in the 20th minute when Martin Olsson’s delicious left-wing cross was stabbed home by Mbokani.
Wijnaldum restored Newcastle’s lead six minutes later with a downward header from Sissoko’s clipped cross and Perez made it 3-1 when he found the bottom-left corner at the second attempt following a block by Olsson.
But Newcastle’s defensive frailties were exposed again just 48 seconds later when Olsson’s deep cross from the left was adroitly side-footed home on the volley by Redmond.
FANTASTIC FOUR: @GWijnaldum with FOUR goals for Newcastle United this afternoon. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/iQJdw9Z1yG
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 18, 2015
McClaren sent Vurnon Anita on for Cheick Tiote at half-time and he had reason to thank Wijnaldum for a third time when the Holland international cleared a header from Newcastle old boy Sebastien Bassong off the line.
But it was Newcastle who struck next with a goal of exceptional quality.
Sissoko led a break from Newcastle’s right-hand corner flag that culminated in him flighting a pass to Mitrovic, who chested the ball down, let it bounce, and lashed it past John Ruddy with his left foot.
Two minutes later it was 5-2 as Daryl Janmaat crossed from the right for Wijnaldum to head home his hat-trick goal.
Redmond then cracked a low shot against the post, but Wijnaldum had saved the best for last, cutting in from the left and smashing a 25-yard shot inside the right-hand post.