Salomon Rondon’s excellent finish from an acute angle may have only given us false hope, but his cameo performance was definitely one of the few positives from last night.
The Venezuelan was heavily involved in the build-up to the goal, holding up the ball before laying it off and making a forward run into the box. The shot across the goalkeeper showed a player with a point to prove.
Fans on Twitter credited the 28-year-old for his display:
The only positive was Rondon scoring ???? #FORNEW #NUFC
— Adam Staniforth ???? (@adam_staniforth) 29 August 2018
Only positive from tonight’s game Is rondon getting a goal but tbh we need to get Ashley out let’s not stop protesting we need him out #nufc
— paul siddle (@paulsiddle) 29 August 2018
Two Positives Rondon opening his account on a Black N White shirt and when will not be distracted by the a cup run.. believe me not happy but the way we are ran atm #nufc
— Andy (@Moleps1892) 29 August 2018
Only positives tonight. Rondon scored and two homegrown players featured in the starting eleven. #nufc
— Laura Blyth (@laura25_star) 29 August 2018
Rondon is my only hope upfront. Goals aside he brings more to the team #NUFC
— LeLockdownFootball (@LeLockdownFBall) 29 August 2018
So by right, Rondon has the striker shirt now?
Who would've thought 4 games in we would have goal-scoring strikers and gone back to the days of calamity defending again? #nufc ⚫⚪
— Clinton Forde (@FordeHaveMercy) 29 August 2018
Being his first #NUFC goal, Rondon should have dragged his celebration on for 4 minuets.
— John Lewis (@johnlew_) 29 August 2018
At least Rondon got his first goal… positives I guess? #nufc
— Freddy Köhler-Krüner (@KoehlerF93) 29 August 2018
Supporters now want Rafa Benitez to start Rondon against Manchester City on Saturday:
Joselu has improved massively since the start of last season but there's no way on God's Earth that he would have scored the goal that Rondon scored last night.
It just wouldn't have happened.
Rondon MUST start over Joselu every game.#NUFC
— Burnsie ????NUFC????️ (@BenArfaChance) 30 August 2018
Only positive tonight……RONDON. He should have started. Why oh why did Rafa start Joselu, when he has stated many times Rondon needs minutes. It made no sense. Surely Rondon playing 90 mins, scoring, winning would present a feel good factor???? #NUFC
— Davez (@davez2010) 29 August 2018
It was great to see our no.9 get his first goal, albeit in a poor defeat against lower league opposition. Considering Joselu has scored two goals in three Premier League starts, it will be interesting to see what Rafa does against City.
I would like to see Rondon given a go from the beginning, but our manager has been very reluctant to give a starting place to the striker so far.