Anthony Elanga scored for Newcastle United in their 2-0 away victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the second round of the Premier League, then paid tribute to Thierry Henry with a celebration associated with one of the most memorable north London derby moments.
The 24-year-old Sweden international opened the scoring in the 62nd minute. After finding the net, Elanga slid across the pitch on his knees before lowering his head towards the Tottenham Hotspur supporters.
The celebration closely mirrored Henry’s famous reaction after scoring for Arsenal against Tottenham in autumn 2002. The France forward had also dropped to his knees and bowed his head in front of the opposing fans after completing a spectacular solo run to score against the same club.
Elanga’s gesture immediately linked his goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Henry’s iconic celebration from more than two decades ago. While Henry’s moment came in an Arsenal shirt, Elanga repeated the key elements of the celebration while representing Newcastle United in an away match against Tottenham.
The visitors’ advantage was doubled 10 minutes after Elanga’s opener. Yoane Wissa scored in the 72nd minute to put Newcastle United 2-0 ahead and complete the scoring.
Elanga’s goal was therefore the first of two that secured Newcastle United’s victory in the second matchweek of the Premier League. His decision to celebrate in Henry’s style added an extra layer of significance to the result, given that the original celebration had also followed a goal against Tottenham.
Henry’s 2002 effort remains closely associated with his Arsenal career and with the rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham. Elanga’s version came in a different fixture, but against the same opposition and with a similarly recognisable gesture in front of the home supporters.
Newcastle United held on to their two-goal lead after Wissa’s strike, with the final score confirming a 2-0 away win. The result was settled by goals from Elanga and Wissa, while Elanga’s celebration provided the most distinctive image of the match.
The Swedish forward’s display combined the decisive moment that gave Newcastle United control of the game with a deliberate reference to one of football’s best-known goal celebrations. His knee slide and bowed head recalled Henry’s celebration exactly at the point when the former France international had scored his solo goal for Arsenal against Tottenham in 2002.