JOSELU... FROM TOON STRUGGLES TO REAL SAVIOUR

Madrid's latest hero as never given up...despite hard times at Stoke and Newcastle

- SIMON BIRD

JOSELU hits the corner flag with a shot from 22 yards after coming on as a sub for Newcastle in a 1-0 home defeat to Brighton.

The St James' Park crowd grumble in disappointment.

The £5million bargain striker was a symbol of Rafa Benitez trying to work a miracle in the Mike Ashley era.

He scored just seven goals in 52 Toon appearances.

That was the Joselu we knew at St James' Park, less than six years ago.

Aged 34, he's now written a new story, and one all the more remarkable considering what came before.

The Real Madrid supersub, sharp and reactive, dynamite in front of goal, smashed two goals in three minutes to elevate his side to the Champions League final.

More goals in 180 seconds than in his last nine months on Tyneside. Now, Joselu, journeyman of Stoke (above, left), revived in Alaves and Espanyol, is forever part of Bernabeu folklore.