Wissa

It has taken Wissa time to deliver such performances.

Wissa, who had already had a disrupted pre-season, following his protracted departure from Brentford, has only scored three goals since making his debut for Newcastle last month.

The forward has looked rusty at times, failing to take a big chance to open the scoring in the defeat against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-finals last week.

But Wednesday night showed what he can bring to this side.

Howe had called on Wissa to “max out” before the game, and he led the press effectively against a naive PSV side, who repeatedly played out from the back.

That certainly did not go unnoticed by fellow goalscorer Harvey Barnes.

“He’s had a tough start since he’s come here,” he told TNT Sports.

“Obviously injured for a long time. I had a similar start here. I know how tough it is just watching from the stands, so I know how delighted he will be.

“A first Champions League goal. I thought he played really well so I’m buzzing for him.”

The challenge for Wissa, of course, is to start scoring more regularly.

But he is a poacher in a differing mould to the towering Nick Woltemade, who likes to come in deep.

Of those forwards to have played a minimum of 250 minutes in the Premier League this season, Wissa ranks first for cross option runs per game.

These are defined by Opta as runs to get into the penalty area to make yourself available for a cross while your team-mate has the ball in a wide area.

Wissa also ranks 15th for runs in behind.

Given their differing qualities, Howe felt it was “transformative” to have Wissa available after Woltemade had to shoulder the burden up front in his absence.

It had always been the plan for the pair to share the load after Newcastle lost top scorer Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer, and Wissa’s Premier League experience helps explain why Newcastle paid such a hefty £55m fee.

“Yoane’s career at Brentford was brilliant to watch from afar because I thought he was outstanding for them, scoring a number of massive goals,” Howe said.

“I loved his attitude and the way that he played, the determination and aggression that he played with.”