Newcastle United picked up a much-needed 3-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor, claiming just their second away victory in the Premier League this season.
The result provided tons of relief for Eddie Howe and
the Geordie boys, who have struggled on the road all season long, going twelve straight league games without a clean sheet after allowing another goal on Tuesday.
The Magpies started like a lightning bolt, with Joelinton opening the scoring after just 65 seconds by flicking in Anthony Gordon’s deflected cross for his first league goal in a year.
Within minutes, Yoane Wissa, making his first Premier League start for Newcastle, doubled the advantage by prodding home after a scramble in the box and a lengthy VAR check. Wissa’s finish came at the second attempt, with Burnley mad at Bruno Guimaraes’ seeming shove of Josh Laurent in the build-up.
Burnley, however, responded well and halved the deficit midway through the first half. Josh Laurent volleyed in after Newcastle’s defending faltered, and before halftime, Marcus Edwards’ low shot was cleared off the line by Fabian Schar. That’s on-the-road Newcastle for you, folks!
Burnley kept up the pressure after the break, with Laurent hitting the bar and Loum Tchaouna wasting chances, but Newcastle’s Nick Pope—back in the starting XI after Howe decided to bring him back in place of Aaron Ramsdale—came up with crucial saves against his former club.
Newcastle wasted opportunities to put the game to bed, but ultimately secured the three points thanks to Guimaraes, who took advantage of some confusion in the Burnley backline, scoring a third and final goal from distance.
“It was a massive win for us,” Eddie Howe said after the game. “I don’t think it really matters in terms of how we did it, we just needed to do it. It was a really strong start from us, in recognition of how important the game was for us.
Added Howe: “I can’t praise the players enough for how we battled through. That second half was a massive 45 minutes for us, we needed to get over the line, and full credit to the players for how they saw the game out and the character of the group.”
Newcastle will host Crystal Palace next on Sunday, Jan. 4, looking to build on just their second Premier League win away from home in 13 games.
