Two matches, two goals, it is an incredible start for Elanga, who managed only one assist in 32 matches for Newcastle last season.
Anthony Elanga has had exactly the start he and Newcastle needed. The Swede scored just five minutes into the opener against Liverpool and followed it up by breaking the deadlock as Newcastle defeated Tottenham 2-0.
Against Liverpool, Newcastle capitalised on a loss of possession high up the pitch and came close to winning, but Liverpool equalised from a penalty in the 99th minute.
In the second round, Elanga’s goal came after just over an hour of play. Newcastle won 2–0 and have taken four points from their first two matches. For Elanga, the goals also mean he has already surpassed his league production from last season, when he failed to score a Premier League goal for the club.
A start reminiscent of Zlatan's
Elanga is not the first Swede to score in both opening Premier League matches.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in his league debut for Manchester United against Bournemouth in August 2016. Five days later, he scored both goals as United defeated Southampton 2-0.
If Elanga scores when Newcastle face Bournemouth on Saturday, he will therefore have scored in more consecutive league matches from the start of the season than Ibrahimovic did in 2016.
It is too early to draw major conclusions after two rounds. The start is nonetheless significant for Elanga. He has gone from a full league season without a goal to scoring in two consecutive matches.
Isak also on the scoresheet
Alexander Isak has also opened his goal account.
The Liverpool striker started the opener against his former club Newcastle, but left St James’ Park without a goal. In the second round, however, he made it 1-1 as Liverpool drew 2-2 against Nottingham Forest.
For other high-profile Swedes, the start has been tougher. Arsenal have won their first two matches, but Viktor Gyökeres has had to start both on the bench while Kai Havertz has started up front.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have lost by an aggregate score of 0-5 against Brentford and Newcastle. Dejan Kulusevski remains injured, while Lucas Bergvall is competing for playing time in a strengthened midfield.
