A near-perfect night for Dan Burn - but one injury worry as Newcastle star limps off
What an incredible two weeks it has been for big Dan Burn.
Almost a fortnight ago, he impressed Thomas Tuchel in the crowd as we beat West Ham 1-0, then a few days later he was handed his first call-up to the senior England squad.
Before he'd join the Three Lions he had the small matter of a Carabao Cup final at Wembley, where he not only lifted our first domestic trophy for 70 years but scored the opener to send 32,000 Mags doolally!
It couldn't get any better, could it? Well, it did tonight for the big man from Blyth.
Burn's debut
We wondered if it could get any better and it did on Friday night, as Dan Burn was handed a start by Thomas Tuchel in the German's first game as England manager.
Starting in front of Jordan Pickord and alongside Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, the 6ft 7' Geordie helped his country to a clean sheet and 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley, ensuring the perfect start to our World Cup qualifying campaign.
It was a superb first half in particular from Burn. He had the most touches for England (94), played the most passes (86) and had more shots (3) too, smashing the bar from one corner after rising highest!
So close for a debut goal! 😲
Dan Burn's header crashes off the bar#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/6iRhDjcDiG
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 21, 2025
Arsenal's Miles Lewis-Skelly opened the scoring and Harry Kane made it two in the second half, securing a solid night's work at Wembley. However, there was one worry late on from a Newcastle perspective.
Late injury worry
Anthony Gordon replaced Marcus Rashford late on, but it was a potentially costly cameo for the winger, who went down twice and needed treatment after the full-time whistle.
While others celebrated the win on the pitch, Gordon went straight down the tunnel and looked in pain after taking a heavy knock to his hip.
The relief for Newcastle is he is already suspended for our home clash with Brentford a week on Wednesday, but he'll be available again or our trip to Leicester two weeks on Monday - providing he's OK!
