Yoane Wissa produced one of the more intriguing African performances of the opening Premier League weekend as Newcastle United drew 2–2 with Liverpool at St James' Park.

The DR Congo international played 89 minutes and recorded a 6.8 match rating.

At first glance, that appears relatively ordinary.

The underlying numbers tell a much more complicated story.

Wissa provided an assist, generated 1.00 expected goals (xG) from four shots, produced more than 100 metres of progression and won nine ground duels.

But he also missed two big chances and converted none of the 1.00 xG Newcastle generated for him.

It was a performance that demonstrated both Wissa's attacking value and the fine margins separating influence from decisive impact.

Match Information

Competition: Premier League
Round: 1
Date: 23 August 2026
Venue: St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Result: Newcastle United 2–2 Liverpool

Yoane Wissa 🇨🇩

Newcastle United

Match Rating: 6.8

One Assist Shows Wissa's Wider Value

Wissa didn't score, but he still made a direct contribution to Newcastle's two goals by registering an assist.

His expected-assist figure was only:

0.02 xA

That suggests the eventual assist came from an opportunity that carried a relatively low probability of becoming a goal based on the quality of the chance created.

This is why actual assists and expected assists should be considered together.

The assist matters.

But Wissa's main attacking threat in this match came from his own goalscoring opportunities rather than sustained chance creation for teammates.

1.00 xG — But No Goal

This is the defining statistic from Wissa's performance.

Expected Goals: 1.00

Actual Goals: 0

Wissa attempted four shots and accumulated exactly 1.00 xG.

In simple terms, the quality of those opportunities collectively represented approximately one expected goal.

Yet Newcastle received none.

That doesn't mean a player generating 1.00 xG is guaranteed to score.

Expected goals measure probability, not certainty.

But for a centre-forward, consistently getting into positions capable of generating 1.00 xG is excellent.

Failing to convert any of those opportunities is the obvious weakness.

Two Big Chances Missed

The finishing issue becomes clearer when another statistic is introduced:

Big chances missed: 2

Wissa had opportunities to turn an influential performance into a decisive one.

He couldn't take them.

Only one of his four shots was on target.

That is particularly significant because Newcastle ultimately drew the match 2–2.

In a game decided by such fine margins, converting even one of those chances could potentially have transformed the result.

xG vs xGOT Reveals Another Layer

Wissa recorded:

1.00 xG

but only:

0.36 xGOT

These metrics measure different stages of the shooting process.

xG estimates the quality of the opportunity before shot placement is considered.

xGOT evaluates an on-target attempt after taking its placement into account.

Wissa's only shot on target generated 0.36 xGOT.

Combined with three of his four attempts failing to test the goalkeeper, the numbers suggest that the quality of Wissa's opportunities was stronger than his overall execution.

That is an important distinction.

Wissa's movement created good shooting opportunities.

His finishing didn't maximise them.

The Positive: Wissa Kept Getting Into Dangerous Positions

While the missed chances deserve scrutiny, there is another side to the 1.00 xG figure.

A striker cannot score consistently without first generating opportunities.

Wissa accumulated 1.00 xG from four attempts.

That represents an average of:

0.25 xG per shot

That is a strong average chance quality.

It suggests Newcastle were not simply feeding Wissa speculative shots from distance.

He was finding genuinely dangerous shooting positions.

Over a full season, the ability to consistently generate high-quality chances can be more encouraging than scoring from low-probability opportunities that may be difficult to repeat.

Four Progressive Carries From Only Eight Carries

Wissa's ball progression was another major positive.

He recorded only:

8 carries

But:

4 were progressive

That means 50% of his carries were progressive.

His carrying produced:

157.7m total carrying distance

102.2m total progression

104.4m progressive carrying distance

His longest progressive carry travelled an impressive:

39.7 metres

For a centre-forward, those are significant numbers.

More Than a Penalty-Box Striker

The carrying statistics demonstrate that Wissa's contribution wasn't restricted to occupying Liverpool's penalty area.

He was also capable of receiving possession and moving Newcastle significant distances up the pitch.

That gives Newcastle another attacking mechanism.

Rather than depending exclusively on midfielders and wide players to progress possession, Wissa can occasionally become the transition outlet himself.

A 39.7-metre progressive carry is a particularly strong example.

That's almost 40 metres gained through one individual action.

102.2 Metres of Total Progression

Wissa's:

102.2m total progression

adds further context.

He wasn't heavily involved in possession—only 41 touches across 89 minutes.

But when he did receive the ball, he could have a significant territorial impact.

This is important when analysing forwards.

High touch volume isn't necessarily required.

What matters is what happens when possession reaches them.

For Wissa, the answer was often: Newcastle moved forward.

Physical Presence Against Liverpool

Wissa's duel numbers were another major positive.

He won:

9/15 ground duels — 60%

and:

2/4 aerial duels — 50%

Combined, that means Wissa won:

11 of 19 ground and aerial duels

For a centre-forward competing against Premier League defenders, that represents a strong physical contribution.

He was also fouled four times.

That demonstrates the difficulty Liverpool had containing him physically.

Perfect Dribbling Record

Wissa attempted only one dribble.

He completed it.

1/1 — 100%

Again, the volume is too small to draw major conclusions.

But alongside his progressive carrying numbers, it supports the wider picture of a striker comfortable moving possession himself.

16 Sprints Show the Work Behind the Numbers

Wissa registered:

16 sprints

and reached:

30.9 km/h

His supplied tracking data recorded 2.6km of distance, including substantial running and high-speed activity.

The sprint count is particularly interesting.

Strikers don't only create opportunities when they touch the ball.

Repeated runs behind defenders, movements across the defensive line and pressing actions can create space even when a pass never arrives.

Wissa's 16 sprints demonstrate the intensity of his movement throughout his 89 minutes.

Defensive Contribution

Wissa also contributed without the ball.

He recorded:

5 defensive contributions

3 recoveries

1 clearance

However, his tackling was unsuccessful:

0/4 tackles won

He also committed three fouls.

That means his defensive performance was energetic rather than particularly efficient.

The willingness to engage was clear.

The execution was less convincing.

Wissa's Performance in Two Halves

The numbers effectively divide his match into two categories.

That contrast explains the 6.8 rating.

Wissa did a great deal well.

But for a striker, the missed opportunities carried significant weight.

Why 6.8 Makes Sense

There is an argument that an assist, four progressive carries and 11 total duels won should produce a higher rating.

But there is also an obvious counterargument:

1.00 xG

2 big chances missed

0 goals

For a forward, those numbers matter.

Wissa's movement was good enough to generate opportunities.

His physical contribution was strong.

His progression was impressive.

He directly contributed an assist.

But the most valuable action a striker can produce remains a goal.

Wissa had the opportunities.

He didn't convert them.

A Positive Long-Term Indicator?

There is nevertheless an important reason Newcastle should view the performance positively.

Finishing can fluctuate.

Generating high-quality chances is often the more sustainable indicator.

Wissa's ability to produce 1.00 xG in a single match suggests he was repeatedly reaching valuable goalscoring positions.

If he continues generating chances at anything approaching that level, goals should follow—provided his finishing moves closer to expectation.

That makes his chance generation one of the key numbers Deduction will track as the season develops.

Deduction Player Analysis

Yoane Wissa 🇨🇩 — Newcastle United

Match Rating: 6.8

Wissa's standout numbers:

🅰️ 1 assist

🎯 1.00 xG

🔥 4 shots

⚡ 4 progressive carries

📈 104.4m progressive carrying distance

📊 102.2m total progression

💪 9/15 ground duels won

🏃 16 sprints

⚡ 39.7m longest progressive carry

But:

❌ 2 big chances missed

🎯 Only 1/4 shots on target

⚽ 0 goals

Deduction Verdict

Yoane Wissa's performance against Liverpool demonstrates why football analysis can't stop at either the match rating or the goals column.

His 6.8 rating looks ordinary.

His performance wasn't.

Wissa provided an assist, accumulated 1.00 xG, generated more than 100 metres of progression, completed four progressive carries, won nine ground duels and registered 16 sprints.

But the same data also identifies the biggest weakness.

Newcastle created 1.00 xG worth of shooting opportunities for Wissa.

He missed two big chances.

He didn't score.

In a match Newcastle ultimately drew 2–2, those opportunities become even more significant.

The encouraging part is that Wissa was consistently getting into the right positions.

The next step is obvious.

Turn the chances into goals.

Final Score

Newcastle United 2–2 Liverpool

African Player Rating

🇨🇩 Yoane Wissa — 6.8

Deduction Key Numbers

1 assist | 1.00 xG | 2 big chances missed | 104.4m progressive carrying distance

Wissa created, carried and competed. The only thing missing was the finish.

Deduction Football Intelligence — Tracking African Players Across the Globe.