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1 month ago
7
It is, ultimately, only the result that matters in football. Newcastle almost stopped playing after going two goals ahead inside seven minutes and spent the remainder of the game desperately holding on for their second away win of the season, leaving Burnley wondering what more they could have done.
Burnley were dominant in all areas after the early shock, showing the spirit and grit required in a relegation battle, but the truth of the matter is they have two points from the last possible 30 and are facing an immediate return to the Championship. Josh Laurent ignited hope when there was none after Joelinton and Yoane Wissa scored, a flame that was finally put out by Bruno Guimarães late on.
Considering Newcastle’s ineptitude away from home and their incomprehensibly woeful efforts in the final third at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, it was a shock to everyone that the visitors took the lead after 65 seconds. Kyle Walker was too far advanced, giving Anthony Gordon space in behind and time to find Joelinton who calmly steered home his first Premier League goal in exactly a year.
Before Burnley could regroup, they were two down and the signs were ominous. Nerves were apparent as Lucas Pires and Maxime Estève failed to complete a simple clearance. Harvey Barnes’ shot was saved; Wissa’s attempt from the rebound cleared off the line by Walker but the striker made no mistake the second time.
The supporters reflected the teams; Burnley fans were muted and apathetic, while the away end was vibrant. Newcastle were belying the rhetoric around a team who had travelled home with three points once since mid-April, enjoying five shots on target in the opening 15 minutes.
But Newcastle panicked. A brief spell of pressure from the hosts showed there was potential among Scott Parker’s ranks and a fragility within the visitors. Burnley do not possess a prolific striker but without one available Laurent made up for it with a violent volley, offering some hope and belated cheer.
Wissa and Barnes had fine chances to extend the lead before the break but poor finishing and good goalkeeping frustrated them. At the other end, only Fabian Schär on the line prevented Marcus Edwards equalising. It was an entertaining game because neither side knew how to control it.
It was imperative that Burnley began the second half with intent to test the Newcastle mindset. Three corners in quick succession increased the pressure but the visitors navigated them. Armando Broja winning a physical battle with Malick Thiaw and Loum Tchaouna testing Nick Pope were further indications that Burnley and their now vociferous fans were up for the fight.
Burnley were on top and Newcastle struggled to cope. Edwards drove past Lewis Hall into the box before firing at Pope but his leg was strong enough. The goalkeeper was almost embarrassed by a Pires cross and a Laurent header hit the bar but somehow the score stayed the same.
Eddie Howe and his coaching staff spent a lengthy period in discussion, pondering how they could turn the tide because they were clinging on against the second-bottom team.
Burnley’s imposition in the latter stages faded after continuous exertion. They could not press with the vigour required, giving Newcastle a route back in. Thiaw had a header cleared off the line, while Jacob Murphy missed an almost-open goal to calm the nerves.
Parker sent on Ashley Barnes, the footballing epitome of battle in search of a leveller, knowing the importance a point would be but Guimarães finally ended the contest in added time with a neat chip after a mix-up between Hjalmar Ekdal and Martin Dubravka to complete an underserved victory.
