Newcastle star admits goal celebration v Spurs inspired by Thierry Henry

Anthony Elanga recreated one of Thierry Henry’s most famous North London derby celebrations after opening the scoring in their 2-0 win.

Anthony Elanga has admitted his celebration after scoring for Newcastle United against Tottenham Hotspur was a deliberate nod to Thierry Henry.

Newcastle won 2-0 away to Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday, 29 August. Elanga opened the scoring in the 62nd minute before Yoane Wissa added a second 10 minutes later.

The result gave Matthias Jaissle his first league win as Newcastle manager and took his side to four points from their opening two matches.

Tottenham, meanwhile, were left without a goal or a point from their first two league games, something that has not happened since 1974. Sky Sports reported that some Spurs fans booed their players off the pitch in what was their first home league match of the season.

Before the game, Elanga had already decided what he would do if he scored.

After the match, he told Sky Sports, “I’ve always said to Henry is my favourite player so I knew if I scored today that that celebration was going to come out.”

The celebration was a tribute to Henry’s famous knee-slide after scoring in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Tottenham at Highbury on 16 November 2002.

Henry’s goal came in the 13th minute.

He collected the ball inside Arsenal’s half from Patrick Vieira, who is hilariously credited with an assist, ran past most of the Spurs team and finished beyond Kasey Keller from just inside the penalty area.

He then ran back up the length of the pitch and slid on his knees in front of the Tottenham supporters.

Henry’s goal won Goal of the Season.

Elanga was just six months old at the time.

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