2 things I liked (and 1 I didn’t) from Newcastle 2-1 Burnley
Newcastle United made it ten points from the last twelve available since the international break by beating Burnley 2-1 on Saturday. However, it was not all plain sailing against the side 19th in the Premier League United's familiar mentality issues threatened to derail a semi-decent-ish (which I’m not non-committal about at all…) performance.
United’s goals, including an Olimpico (I’d not heard it called that until this weekend either), came from Bruno Guimaraes and an Anthony Gordon penalty before Burnley’s strike came via a stoppage time Zian Flemming penalty.
Here are 2 things I liked (and 1 I didn’t) from the game:
, before Burnley’s strike came via a stoppage-time
Liked: Wingers looked better
Considering that United concentrated play down the wings, it was important that Gordon and Elanga had an impact on the match and the pair, in the main, were able to positively affect the game. Gordon scored his sixth goal of the season and hit the crossbar and the post with fierce efforts, and he took on Kyle Walker and often beat him to get a cross in.
He’s still not the Anthony Gordon of two seasons ago but with seven goal contributions (six goals, one assist) from 15 games, he is still contributing every other game in all competitions, which must be a positive.
I can hear the screams already, but Saturday also saw Anthony Elanga put in his best performance in Black and White, despite that bar being a low one. He and Gordon combined for two key passes and the Swede had a couple of decent adjacent efforts on goal.
His main contribution of course was to get Lucas Pires sent off towards the end of the first half with a brilliant penetrating run, but he is still miles away from where he needs to be for a £55m footballer.
There are small positive signs though from his last three outings against Everton, Spurs, and Burnley; and the 23-year-old probably deserves an extended run in the side now to try and find statistical reward for his displays.
Didn’t Like: “Nearly” throwing away yet more points
The second half on Saturday was an ugly, non-event against a side 19th in the table who were down to ten men. It was an ideal situation for Newcastle to sort out the goal difference, and instead it nearly became a horror show as a crazy two minutes in stoppage time nearly saw two points thrown away.
First, what was Jacob Ramsey doing throwing his elbow up at a tame shot that looked to be heading straight into Ramsdale’s arms? It was a poor decision from the lad that epitomised his all-round performance, which was a 4/10 at best.
I’ve been one of those supporters who has been calling out for the lad to get more game time as he seems (on paper at least) to be a real candidate to bring some improved technicals and forward progression to the midfield three, but he was a lame duck on Saturday putting in a wholly ineffective display.
And the, unfortunately becoming all too familiar, faults in this side nearly conspired to give Burnley another goal in injury time which would’ve been absolutely devastating. Following the mad concession of the penalty, Zian Flemming was centimetres away from adding a second with the last touch of the game, as the mentality issue that is plaguing this side nearly saw its worst moment yet.
Burnley had two players unmarked in the box that thankfully got in each other’s way, but Eddie needs to find a way to stamp this issue out ASAP, as it’s become far too regular of an occurrence this season.
Liked: Low load, low energy game
The flipside to the above though is that Saturday can be put in the column of a “low load” game for United, in that six changes were made, big players were rested, and the squad goes into a huge week with three points and some fresh legs.
Tonali, Barnes, and Murphy sat out the entire game and Joelinton, Hall and Miley only played between 25 and 15 minutes, which should allow the side to go into this week at near peak condition. The side will need all its best energy to get result from two tough games this week, which if they bring positive results, could really set up the rest of the season nicely.
The other huge positive from Saturday was the return of Yoan Wissa from a knee injury as United’s other £55m summer signing finally took to the pitch. He looked okay, but there are no judgements as he will still be working his way back to full fitness for a while to come, but it was just great to see him back.
Saturday was one of those “get out with the result and forget about it” games and United just about did it. But we will need to play much better this week to get the results we need and want. Over to you Eddie and the lads.
Keep the faith. HWTL
