Elanga put in a player of the match display in Newcastle’s 4-0 win over Union SG
Anthony Elanga in action during Newcastle’s win over Union SG(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Anthony Elanga’s player of the match performance for Newcastle United in their 4-0 win over Union SG in the Champions League felt like a breakout performance for the £55m summer signing.
Ahead of the game the Sweden international had come in for some criticism for an inconsistent start to life at St James’ Park but he answered those critics in emphatic fashion in Brussels.
In fact, his two best performances for Newcastle so far have come in the Champions League, after he terrorised Barcelona left-back Gerard Martin in their opening match at St James’ Park.
Elanga’s direct nature led to the first penalty Anthony Gordon converted at Lotto Park, while it was his cross which ultimately fell into the path of Sandro Tonali, whose goalbound shot was cleverly diverted into the back of the net by Nick Woltemade.
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The 23-year-old was electric on the right hand side all evening and his performance was a great source of pride for former Newcastle United captain Nicky Butt.
Butt coached Elanga at youth level at Manchester United’s Academy and revealed his final product was the one thing he struggled with as a young footballer.
But he believes it is something he has improved on massively in the last 18 months and he feels the fact he is now shining on the Champions League stage with the Magpies is ‘just rewards’ for his hard work and professionalism.
“He was a great young player,” Butt told Match of the Day’s Champions League highlights show.
“Obviously he is a bit older now, moved on and had a couple of other clubs, but he was a fantastic young footballer, very, very pacey but he always struggled with the final bit of the game, the creative bit with crosses and goals.
“But now he has got to the level, and at Forest he did as well, he is getting into the areas and taking people on and putting some amazing balls into the box.
Nicky Butt during his time at Manchester United(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
“I think he has just matured over the last 18 months with that final little bit and got to know his game. Instead of going at 100 miles per hour, he is slowing himself down, getting into the right positions and really concentrating on putting that final ball in.
“One thing I really like about him is he is really direct. He always knows what he wants to do and take his man and get at him and try and create chances.
“The amount of good balls he put in tonight, it was a shame they didn’t get a goal off one of them. He wanted to get into the box (for the second goal) and tempt the guy into a tackle and straight away it was a penalty.
“It was a brilliant performance by the boy tonight and it is just rewards because he is a really good professional and he works really hard.”
Elanga will hope to build on that performance now on Sunday when Newcastle take on his former side Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park.
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