A big win, but it wasn’t pretty! – Newcastle 2-1 Burnley

It wasn’t the dominant, swashbuckling display many would’ve loved to see against a newly-promoted side who arrived second bottom and in awful form, but we got the job done despite failing to really capitalise on the man advantage, starting poorly and somehow allowing them back into it at the death.

The good news, however, is that’s now seven wins and one draw (Spurs 2-2) in our last eight at home, 10 points from a possible 12, and a game that wasn’t too energy-sapping as we head into a vital week, where a Champions League trip to Bayer Leverkusen and Tyne and Wear derby at Sunderland awaits.

The result takes us up to 11th, temporarily leapfrogging Man Utd, and leaving us three points behind the top five and one off Sunderland after the Mackems were beaten 3-0 at Man City.

Anthony Gordon’s performance was a big positive as he looked sharp, grabbed another goal from the spot and hit the woodwork twice, Joe Willock outshone Jacob Ramsey in a positive display and it was great to see Yoane Wissa make his first appearance from the bench, with Bruno Guimaraes relatively quiet but playing a key role in our opener as his first half corner flew in!

Elsewhere, I thought Fabian Schar went through the motions on his return, we were typically less fluid with Dan Burn at left-back, Aaron Ramsdale’s inability to dominate his box was a big worry a week before the derby and Anthony Elanga was a mixed bag, mixing some timid wing play and poor touches with a few brilliant deliveries.

Newcastle XI: Ramsdale – Livramento, Thiaw, Schar, Burn – Ramsey, Guimaraes, Willock – Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon

Substitutes: Ruddy, Hall, Joelinton, Tonali, Wissa, Barnes, J.Murphy, A.Murphy, Miley

Burnley XI: Dubravka – Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Pires – Cullen, Florentino, Ugochukwu, – Foster, Bruun Larsen, Broja

Howe made six changes from the 2-2 draw with Spurs, seeing Schar, Willock, Ramsey, Bruno, Elanga and Gordon as Hall, Miley, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy and Barnes dropped to the bench.

To put it simply, the first half started awfully and ended comfortably, with the 2-0 scoreline at the break not telling the full story.

We came out of the traps so slowly, struggling to string passes together, losing so many 50/50s and looking nervy at the back, where Schar looked half asleep and Ramsdale highly unconvincing as he flapped at two or three corners.

We couldn’t get Woltemade into the game, Bruno was being closely marked, Elanga was sloppy in possession and Burnley will be wishing they capitalised on our poor start, even if Gordon clipped the post and Woltemade had a goal-bound shot blocked.

Then came the breakthrough, as captain Bruno found the breakthrough for the second time in a week, only this time via a stroke of luck and some iffy goalkeeping by ex-Mag Marrin Dubravka as his Leazes End corner kick flew in!

Then came arguably THE moment that settled the match. A brilliant through ball by Gordon, a lovely run by Elanga and a red card for Pires that put Burnley down to 10 as the left-back brought down the Swede.

The lead and man advantage soon told and we made it 2-0 before the break, as a handball and empathic Gordon penalty doubled our lead, making it two goals in a week for our no.10.

Starting the second half, Dubravka got a warm welcome back at the Gallowgate before a strange 45 minutes played out.

We were in control, brought Miley and Hall on with 30 minutes to play, replacing an improved Willock and leggy Burn, and we saw Dubravka pull off an impressive save as Elanga’s wicked cross almost deflected in.

Gordon clipped the bar with a lovely effort from 25 yards, we saw some nice link play between Bruno and Hall, and then saw Yoane Wissa make his first appearance as he and Joelinton came on for the final 15 minutes.

At this stage, Burnley were in damage limitation mode and sitting deep in a back five, but we’d soon make hard work of it as a comfortable day’s work suddenly turned into a nervy final five minutes.

Ramsey’s hand ball was checked by VAR in stoppage time, a penalty was awarded and Flemming fired home. 2-1 and a final 90 seconds of sheer panic followed, with Burnley swinging in a last gasp cross that only JUST avoided unmarked Claret shirts at the back post!

In the end, it’s a win and a vital three points, great to see Gordon look sharp again and a bounce back result from our midweek draw, but it was very nearly disastrous and unconvincing at times.

Next up, a European trip to Bayer Leverkusen next Wednesday before we travel to Sunderland a week tomorrow!

Keep the faith.