German defender has been getting lessons from two of his team-mates and they paid dividends in the first Premier League away win of the season for Eddie Howe's team
It says a lot about the Premier League’s transfer business that a £35million import can go under the radar. Of course, his excellence has been quickly acknowledged by Newcastle United supporters but Malick Thiaw has now announced himself to a wider audience.
And he has announced himself as not only a technically gifted centre-half but as an unlikely goalscorer. In any era, defenders who can be decisive in the opposition penalty area are invaluable to a manager.
Think John Terry, think Virgil van Dijk. Going into Newcastle’s game at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Thiaw did not have any sort of notable track record in that department. One goal in the Bundesliga for Schalke 04 (plus two in the Bundesliga’s second tier) and one in Serie A for AC Milan. In the hammering of Everton, Thiaw scored twice.
“Yesterday, I spoke with Nick (Woltemade) and Fabi (Fabian Schar) about it - about how I had had opportunities to score,” Thiaw said. “I just maybe needed some better technique - more power maybe - and Nick and Fabi showed me … and it worked out.
“It is amazing. I have never scored two goals in a match since youth football. I think I was 17 years old. I have only scored two goals in a season.”
Considering the copybook nature of his two powerful headers - the first coming inside a minute of the contest - that is surprising. But if 24-year-old Thiaw can develop his attacking threat, he will be some player.
“It’s amazing, I’m so grateful for what is happening to me but I’m just trying to stay grounded,” he said. “This is an incredible moment for me. The Newcastle fans have welcomed me like it is my new home.”
Thiaw was serenaded by the visiting fans and urged to take the acclaim by his team-mates after Newcastle’s first away win of the Premier League season.
It took them above Everton on goal difference but the truth is that Eddie Howe’s side looked a class above the home side and - considering the Newcastle manager was able to bring on Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Schar, Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock - that is exactly how it should be.
“We have so many quality players. A good mix of young and experienced players,” said Thiaw. “The depth of the squad is amazing. You saw that today.”
With their Champions League commitments, Howe needs ‘amazing’ depth and the Newcastle boss felt the benefit of being able to freshen up his eleven against Everton. That meant a start for 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley, who highlighted an accomplished performance with his first Premier League goal of the season.
Miley said: “It’s a really proud moment for me every time I score for Newcastle because it is my boyhood club. And that second goal was really important because they had come into it after the first goal.
“It was a really positive performance from us. We have struggled away from home but that should kick us on now.”