Newcastle beat Hull 2–1, but Mohamed Belloumi produced the standout African performance at St James' Park.

The Algerian earned a 7.3 rating, supplying Hull's assist while generating 0.31 xA, two key passes and five shots.

For Newcastle, Yoane Wissa generated a match-high 0.84 xG, but his 6.0 rating reflected a penalty miss and another big chance missed.

Belloumi created. Wissa threatened — but failed to convert.

Match Information

Competition: Premier League
Round: 5
Date: 19 September 2026
Venue: Newcastle upon Tyne
Result: Newcastle 2–1 Hull

African Performance Board

Belloumi 🇩🇿 — Hull's Attacking Leader

Belloumi was directly responsible for Hull's goal and carried their strongest attacking threat.

He produced:

1 assist | 0.31 xA | 2 key passes | 5 shots

He put two shots on target, generating 0.55 xGOT from 0.35 xG, although he also missed a big chance.

His ball carrying added another dimension:

3 progressive carries | 82.8m total progression | 59.0m progressive carrying distance

Belloumi also completed 3/6 dribbles, won 9/16 ground duels and recorded six defensive contributions.

The main weakness was possession security — he lost the ball 20 times from 65 touches — but that partly reflects the attacking responsibility he carried.

Wissa 🇨🇩 — Chances Without Conversion

Wissa's underlying attacking numbers were substantial:

0.84 xG | 0.92 xGOT

But the outcome was very different.

He missed a penalty and another big chance, finishing without a goal from two shots.

That explains much of his 6.0 rating despite Newcastle's victory.

Wissa remained active outside the penalty area:

3 progressive carries | 102.1m total progression | 45.5m progressive carrying distance

He also covered an impressive 11.2km, completed 3/3 aerial duels and carried the ball 171.5m.

The opportunities were there.

The finishing was not.

Ajayi 🇳🇬 — Solid in Defeat

Semi Ajayi completed the full 90 minutes for Hull and earned a 6.5 rating.

He recorded:

4 defensive contributions | 5 recoveries | 3/5 ground duels | 2/3 aerial duels

Ajayi also contributed positively to Hull's build-up, completing 36/44 passes (82%) and 5/8 long balls.

His progression numbers were useful for a defender:

2 progressive carries | 63.7m total progression | 46.3m progressive carrying distance

He also reached 34.3 km/h, highlighting the recovery speed available to Hull's back line.

Touré 🇨🇮 — Pace Without Impact

Bazoumana Touré entered in the 74th minute and immediately showed his speed, reaching:

34.7 km/h

He also made eight sprints during his short appearance.

But his attacking execution was limited.

Touré completed 0/3 dribbles, lost possession eight times from 10 touches and won 0/6 ground duels.

His -1.1m total progression further illustrates how little territorial impact came from his possession.

For such a short appearance, the sample remains limited — but this was a cameo driven more by physical output than attacking effectiveness.

Four Different Performances

The numbers tell four different stories.

Belloumi supplied creation and attacking volume.

Ajayi contributed defensively and progressed possession from the back.

Touré supplied speed without enough execution.

Wissa reached the best scoring positions but failed to convert them.

Deduction Verdict

🥇 Mohamed Belloumi 🇩🇿 — 7.3

Belloumi takes Deduction's African Player of the Match despite Hull's defeat.

His assist, 0.31 xA, two key passes, five shots and 59.0m progressive carrying distance made him Hull's most influential attacking player.

Wissa's performance provides the opposite lesson.

An 0.84 xG return shows he found excellent scoring opportunities. His 0.92 xGOT indicates the on-target effort carried significant goal threat.

But expected goals measure the quality of opportunities — not whether they were converted.

A missed penalty and big chance ultimately defined his afternoon.

Belloumi turned attacking involvement into an assist. Wissa generated the chances but left the goals behind.

Final Score

Newcastle 2–1 Hull

African Player Ratings

🥇 🇩🇿 Mohamed Belloumi — 7.3
🥈 🇳🇬 Semi Ajayi — 6.5
🇨🇮 Bazoumana Touré — 6.2
🇨🇩 Yoane Wissa — 6.0

Deduction African Player of the Match

Mohamed Belloumi 🇩🇿 — 7.3

Deduction Key Metrics

Belloumi: 1 assist | 0.31 xA | 2 key passes | 5 shots | 59.0m progressive carrying

Wissa: 0.84 xG | 0.92 xGOT | 1 big chance missed | 1 penalty missed

Belloumi created the breakthrough for Hull. Wissa found the chances for Newcastle — but finishing was the missing piece.

Deduction Football Intelligence — Tracking African Players Across the Globe.