Miguel Almirón and Alexander Isak delivered crucial goals as Newcastle United secured a convincing 2-0 triumph over Burnley in the Premier League this Saturday, extending their winning streak to three consecutive victories across all competitions.
Though this win might not be etched in the annals of Newcastle’s history like their memorable 8-0 triumph over Sheffield United or their hard-fought 1-0 Carabao Cup victory over Manchester City, manager Eddie Howe will undoubtedly be satisfied with his team’s performance. This victory sets a positive tone as they prepare for an upcoming high-stakes Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
“We have so many games now, so there isn’t much time to savor the victories. It’s all about looking ahead, and now we have PSG on Wednesday. We’ll certainly relish the win tonight, but tomorrow it’s back to business,” remarked Isak.
“I can sense the excitement among the lads, the fans, and the entire city. Playing the first Champions League match back at St James’ Park in a long while is a momentous occasion. Hopefully, it will be a memorable night for us.”
Burnley, still in search of their first league victory this season, launched a vigorous start and crafted the initial opportunity. Luca Koleosho’s precise cross found Zeki Amdouni, who unleashed a powerful shot that unfortunately headed straight into the welcoming arms of Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope.
The scoring breakthrough came in the 14th minute, with Almiron displaying his class. He cut inside onto his left foot and unleashed a stunning, dipping shot into the top corner, capitalizing on Kieran Trippier’s successful retrieval of possession deep in Burnley’s half.
Despite their dominance, the home side missed several opportunities to widen their lead.
A momentary lapse in control by Isak allowed James Trafford to swiftly come off his line and thwart the Swedish forward’s attempt in the 27th minute. Shortly after, the Burnley goalkeeper showcased his agility once again, denying a diving header from Elliot Anderson.
Trafford’s reflexes remained sharp as he got down low to parry away Anderson’s well-placed low shot from distance just before halftime.
In the second half, Newcastle continued to apply pressure. Kieran Trippier delivered two enticing crosses into Burnley’s penalty area, but neither Sean Longstaff nor Isak managed to capitalize on the chances presented.
Isak made amends for his earlier missed opportunities, coolly converting a penalty in the 76th minute to secure the victory. He sent Trafford the wrong way after Newcastle was awarded a spot-kick following a foul on Anthony Gordon by Ameen Al Dakhil.
“I missed a few chances earlier, so I really needed that goal. I just focused on staying calm and composed,” remarked Isak.
“While we had plenty of opportunities to score more, our sharpness wasn’t quite at the level of the previous week. Nevertheless, the most crucial thing is securing those three points.”
Regrettably, the victory was marred by an injury setback, with Joelinton experiencing what appeared to be a hamstring issue. The Brazilian midfielder was substituted just four minutes after coming off the bench.
Newcastle maintains their position in eighth place with 12 points from seven games, while newly-promoted Burnley finds themselves second from the bottom with just one point earned from six matches.
