Sports News of Wednesday, 26 April 2017

Source: todaygh.com

‘God is the reason’ – Christian Atsu

Christian Atsu Christian Atsu

Ghanaian winger, Christian Atsu, has attributed Newcastle United’s promotion into the English Premier League next season as an’ act of God.’

Christian Atsu is in utopian merriment and celebrating almost naked after scoring the crucial goal to propel Newcastle United to a resounding 4-1 victory over Preston North End and secure automatic promotion back into the English Premier League on Monday night.

The Ghana international on loan from Chelsea scored his fourth league goal of the season on the stroke of half time to put Newcastle ahead again after the away side had cancelled Ayoze Perez’s early opener.

Rafael Benitez’s charges netted twice more in the second half to seal all three points and move to 88 points ensuring they will not be caught by any of the chasing pack.

Newcastle still trail runaway leaders, Brighton, by four points with just two games remaining in the 2016/17 campaign but sit a mammoth 9 points above 3rd placed Reading, leaving the 25-year-old Atsu in pure ecstasy at St James’s Park.

“We are happy to secure promotion to the Premiership,” the Black Stars winger tweeted alongside a photo of himself and teammates celebrating in the dressing room few minutes after the game.

“Big thanks to the fans for their unbelievable support. God is the reason. God win,” added Atsu who appeared to be only in his underwear.

Despite being away at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in January and February, Atsu has played more games for Newcastle, 30 (13 starts) than he’s ever played in a single season for any club since his debut season in Europe at FC Porto in 2010/11.

The Ada-born star previously also had loan stints at Vitesse Arnheim, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga since his €4m transfer from Porto to Chelsea in August 2013.