Newcastle United transfer target Anthony Elanga must have been watching the dramatic 3-2 win over Birmingham City.
As expected, Eddie Howe made changes to his Newcastle United lineup for the difficult trip to face League One leaders Birmingham City.
Nick Pope and Callum Wilson returned from their injury absences, while the FA Cup clash also gave opportunities to the likes of Lewis Miley, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and William Osula – who arrived for £10m in the summer.
After conceding within the first minute, Newcastle grew into the game and goals from Willock and Wilson put the Magpies into the lead before a stunning equaliser from Tomoki Iwata.
Newcastle booked their spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup thanks to Willock’s second of the game. The 25-year-old deservedly took home the Player of the Match award, but William Osula also had a huge impact on the result.Anthony Elanga replies to William Osula
Osula made two assists for Newcastle on Saturday evening and was unlucky to leave St Andrew’s without a goal to his name.
Stan Collymore praised Osula for his performance, while Eddie Howe pointed out Osula’s best trait in his post-match comments. The 21-year-old has had to be patient since joining in the summer, but it seems he is finally finding his place in the first team.
After the full-time whistle, Osula took to Instagram to celebrate the win – and his two assists. His post read: “2 assists into the next round”.
His Newcastle teammates flocked to the comment section to praise him, with Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock all leaving messages.
Guimaraes wrote: “Top player and top guy”, while Murphy added: “Mad man”.
Nottingham Forest star and Newcastle transfer target Anthony Elanga also replied to Osula, writing: “Dasssss ma boyy!”. It is not the first time this season, either, with Elanga praising Osula after his first goal for Newcastle.
Newcastle United remain interested in Anthony Elanga
Ironically, if Newcastle’s £50m deadline day bid for Elanga was accepted in the summer, there is a good chance that he would have been playing on the right against Birmingham instead.
The Magpies were desperate to add a right winger over the summer but missed out on their top targets.
Elanga has shown Newcastle exactly what they’re missing this season, with the 22-year-old Sweden international helping Forest up to third in the Premier League. Forest are now a direct rival in Newcastle United’s pursuit of Champions League football.
Newcastle’s interest in Elanga continued this winter, but Paul Mitchell simply had no budget left to spend on a marquee signing – and it was extremely unlikely that Elanga would leave Forest midway through the season.
But interest in Elanga could be reignited in the summer. Champions League football might be essential given that it’s something Forest will likely be able to offer.
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