Newcastle 2-0 Burnley: Mags build momentum despite more injury woes

Newcastle made it five straight clean sheets and secured our second win of the week at St James’ Park, beating Burnley 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.

We made a slow start and had Nick Pope to thank following a big early save, but a Miguel Almiron stunner and second half spot kick from Alexander Isak sealed the win, where we were in control for large parts and could’ve scored more had we been more clinical.

Howe was forced into a few changes , as Sven Botman (knee) and Callum Wilson (hamstring) both failed late fitness tests, seeing Jamaal Lascelles captain the side and Isak keep his place up top.

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Anderson – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

SUBS: Dubravka, Dummett, Joelinton, Tonali, Ritchie, Targett, Hall, Livramento, Murphy

Burnley started well and immediately got in down the right, as danger man Luca Koleosho burst past Burn. Thankfully, his low cross was cleared, but we had Nick Pope to thank moments later as a huge chance for Amdouni was smothered by the former Clarets keeper. 

We were struggling to play out from the back and couldn’t get going. Burnley had settled well but we were second to loose balls and sloppy in possession - until Trippier’s perfectly timed tackle set Almiron away. He still had plenty to do, but the Paraguayan cut in from the right and curled a beautiful left footed strike past Trafford and into the top corner. It was against the run of play but just what we needed. 1-0 Newcastle! 

Gordon was then booked for ‘kicking the ball away.’ He hadn’t heard the whistle, but the referee - who had a really poor first half showed his fifth caution of the season, ruling him out of next Sundays trip to West Ham. 

We could’ve made it two before the break. Bruno was in the mood after a slow start and played a lovely first time hall for Isak. His first touch was a little heavy, but he failed to convert, despite getting a second bite of the cherry after skipping past Trafford and attempting to tap in. Longstaff then burst down the right and picked out Anderson at the back post. From where I sit in St James’ Park, it looked in, but his downwards header was weak and cleared off the line. 

Our final opening of the first 45 fell to Anderson; who was full of energy, battle and aggression. He pinched the ball from our high press and saw his edge of the box effort saved by Trafford. 

We came out the train flying and almost made it 2-0 as Trippier’s half volley deflected just wide. We were keeping the ball well and having so much joy down both flanks, forcing Kompany into a double change before the hour mark. 

We responded with a change of our own, as Joelinton replaced Anderson on the left side of our midfield three. Once again, Geordie Maradona put in a great shift but big Joe was forced off just minutes after coming on. It looked like a hamstring and we were forced into an immediate change, seeing Tonali come on for the final 25 minutes. Another big injury worry on a day where we’d already seen Botman and Wilson miss out, but we had a game to win first before worrying about that.

We were in control, dominating possession and doing just about everything right but score that all important second. However, thanks to some indecisive defending and another electric burst from Gordon, we won a penalty after the winger was chopped down. They couldn’t handle his pace and Isak made no mistake from the spot, sending Trafford the wrong way to seal the win. 2-0 Newcastle and it felt like game over.

We still had a clean sheet to protect and three mags made key interventions to protect that. Longstaff produced more invaluable dirty work to block a goal-bound shot and Pope did well to tip over a glancing header from the corner that followed. After that, Burn showed his defensive instincts to clear a dangerous cut-back across the box. 

At the other end, we had chances to make it three as Bruno fed Isak; who didn’t look at his devastating best today despite scoring in his third successive game.

Late subs saw Livramento and Murphy come on for the final few seconds but neither got a kick. 2-0 Newcastle, another win and a fifth straight clean sheet, sending us into PSG with plenty of injuries but on a high after four wins and a draw from our last five.