Max reward for Bruce after Allan pleads for a shot at saving Toon
ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN saved Newcastle’s season in just seven minutes – and possibly kept Steve Bruce’s side in the Premier League.
No wonder he danced around on the pitch after his winner.
He is Newcastle’s superstar, the one player capable of maintaining the traditions that United fans want to see. Goals, excitement, gasps of wonder and unpredictability.
Newcastle climbed six points clear of third-frombottom Fulham, as their game-changer conjured up all his on-field magic.
This was Bruce’s first win since February 6 and only his side’s third in the past 20 Premier League games. But it could prove decisive in their relegation fight.
Saint-Maximin said: “Everyone knows how important these games are. I give this win to the supporters. I am happy to score to help my teammates. I was frustrated to be on the bench. I said to the coach to give me 30 minutes to show what I can do. I had to be ready.
“When you have been losing it is important to come back stronger.”
The winger came on in the 57th minute and within a minute had helped level the game with his first touches.
NEWCASTLE 2
Jinking to the byline, he lured in three defenders and cut back to Jacob Murphy, who rifled home from 18 yards out.
By the 64th minute SaintMaximin had shown the brilliance that saw him rewarded with a new five-year contract in October.
Jonjo Shelvey started the breakaway, prompting Saint-Maximin to take the ball 55 yards from goal.
He took the direct route, blasting through the middle, before cutting inside James Tarkowski and Ben Mee on to his left foot.The finish was crisp, past Bailey PeacockFarrell for his third goal of a season disrupted by Covid and injury. Burnley had took charge after 18 minutes when Ciaran Clark’s weak header allowed Ashley Westwood to play a ball down the channel for ChrisWood to run on goal 35 yards out.
The Ireland defender was then outpaced by the targetman, who set up Matej Vydra for his sixth of the season.
BURNLEY (4-4-2): Peacock-Farrell 6; Lowton 6, Tarkowski 6, Mee 6, Pieters 5; Gudmundsson 5 (Mumbongo 90), Westwood 6, Brownhill 6, McNeil 7; Vydra 6, Wood 7. Goal: Vydra 18.
NEWCASTLE (3-4-3): Dubravka 8; Dummett 6, Clark 5, Fernandez 6; Murphy 7, Shelvey 6, Longstaff 7, Ritchie 6; Almiron 5 (Hendrick 90), Joelinton 4 (Saint-Maximin 57, 9) , Gayle 6 (Wilson 57, 6).
Goals: Murphy 59, Saint-Maximin 64.