Newcastle United 2 – 0 Burnley. Newcastle’s patience paid off as they comfortably beat a Burnley side who remain in search of their first Premier League win of the season.
Miguel Almiron put Eddie Howe’s side ahead against the run of play on 14 minutes with a brilliant long-range strike into the top corner.
The Clarets had started the game strongly with an early chance for Zeki Amdouni, but Almiron’s strike took the wind out of their sails and Vincent Kompany’s men rarely threatened Nick Pope’s goal after.
The Magpies grew into the game and dominated throughout both halves, with Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak all coming close.
The hosts eventually doubled their lead 15 minutes from time when Isak found the bottom-right corner from the penalty spot after Gordon was brought down by Ameen Al-Dakhil.
After an early blip in the season saw Newcastle lose three successive games, Howe’s side have now won three Premier League matches in a row and are unbeaten in their past five in all competitions, heading into Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Paris St-Germain full of confidence.
One negative from the afternoon for Howe will be the withdrawal of Joelinton, who was taken off just four minutes after his second-half introduction on his return from a knee injury after pulling his hamstring when chasing a ball over the top of the Burnley defence.
Joelinton’s injury is one of a number of concerns for Howe, who after the game said: “It was always going to be that season where we will pick up injuries with the amount of games, but it’s something we want to avoid.”
With Harvey Barnes out for three months with a foot injury, first-team regulars Callum Wilson and Sven Botman were also missing for the visit of Burnley.
Still fighting on all fronts after the midweek Carabao Cup win over Manchester City, Wednesday’s visit of PSG will be a real indicator of where Howe’s side are at.
But it is now five successive clean sheets in all competitions for Newcastle, whose season seems to have a different complexion after their early stutter.
After shipping 11 goals in their opening three Premier League games, Burnley have now conceded four in their past three.
Kompany seems to have worked on shoring up the Clarets’ leaky defence, but problems at the other end of the pitch remain.
The Belgian will be encouraged by the bright start made by his side, with the game’s first real chance falling to Amdouni, but the Swiss midfielder’s first-time shot was well saved by goalkeeper Pope after Luca Koleosho got the better of Dan Burn following a slip from the defender.
Howe said “I don’t think there were any moments where they really looked like scoring” as Burnley managed just two shots on target at St James’ Park, keeping their Premier League tally for the season at four goals.
The Clarets have failed to score in three of their six games since their top-flight return, with only Everton failing to score in more this campaign.
The problems in front of goal were not helped by the absence of joint top scorer Lyle Foster, who completed his three-match ban. Kompany will be boosted by his return for Tuesday’s huge game at the foot of the table against Luton.
source – BBC