Newcastle United launched their 21/22 Premier League campaign in style as the Geordies went up as early as the 5th minute against West Ham United.
Callum Wilson began life as a Newcastle number nine with a goal to his name. It all came after Allan Saint-Maximin left Declan Rice dizzy with his footwork and crossed a sumptuous delivery in the box for Wilson to head it in.
It was an electric atmosphere at St James’ Park as the occasion felt like a cup tie at times with the fans playing their role brilliantly.
The Frenchman fed off the energy from the fans as he twisted and turned on the edge of the box to beat Rice in a moment that has gone viral on Twitter.
A ‘knock you off your feet’ kind of winger
Saint Maximin has just sent Declan Rice for a hot dog 🌭 pic.twitter.com/Q1nuBZpFIG
— nath (@nathjnzy) August 15, 2021
Declan Rice really got danced on by Saint Maximin 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/zqDJfVDFzr
— Tak (@UTDTak) August 15, 2021
Not sure if ASM or Neymar
Saint-Maximin vs Declan Rice pic.twitter.com/p6Hw4Rj7Mf
— Mason (@afcmason3) August 15, 2021
Rice puns galore
Call Saint-Maximin a Wok cos he just fried Rice
— Jordan 🇬🇩🇬🇧 (@MyGuyRudi) August 15, 2021
The aptest depiction
Allan Saint Maximin on Declan Rice… pic.twitter.com/AB2WLV07Zh
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) August 15, 2021
Transfer value going down as we speak
Saint Maximin has reduced Declan Rice's transfer value
— Tron (@T_r_o_n_21) August 15, 2021
Ghanaians can relate
You can tell Saint-Maximin has Ghanaian roots by the way he cooked that Rice so perfectly
— Cian 🔑 (@Pereirakh) August 15, 2021
Of course
Saint-Maximin just sent Declan Rice and his knees to Chelsea. Not the club, of course, but the neighborhood in London.
— Across the Pond (@acrossthepond) August 15, 2021