MATCH ANALYSIS: BURNLEY 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED 4 Magpies take giant step towards goal of Europe as they pile on the pressure
UNITED UP TO SIXTH AND LEAPFROG RED DEVILS WITH WIN AT TURF MOOR
NEWCASTLE United took one giant step towards European qualification at Turf Moor with a comfortable 4-1 win over relegation-threatened Burnley.
Newcastle have leapfrogged Manchester United, who play this evening, into sixth place thanks to goals from Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak on the road.
Here are five things we learned from the clear-cut Magpies win. matches resulting in very different outcomes. At Craven Cottage, Newcastle rode their luck before pouncing late to seal three points in a west London smash and grab. At Selhurst Park, the North East outfit were deservedly beaten after never finding their feet on the opposite side of the capital.
In the early stages at Burnley, it looked as though as similar pattern was emerging. Instead, Newcastle found the first goal through Callum Wilson and never looked back.
Eddie Howe confirmed last week he had welcomed key men back onto the training pitch, but few expected all three returning stars to make the match-day squad. There was shock mixed with delight when Nick Pope, Joelinton and Miguel Almiron emerged from the team bus outside Turf Moor. Newcastle’s bench subsequently looked unfamiliarly strong as the aforementioned trio took their places on it from the outset.
Pope wasn’t called upon but Howe did use Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, along with Harvey Barnes, in the second half when the game was all but over.
Very rarely has the Newcastle boss had £100m worth of talent ready to emerge from the sidelines this season, and in truth, the trio didn’t need to be risked during the impressive victory given the comfortable away lead by the time they entered the fray. But Howe will no doubt be pleased to welcome back two integral members in the closing stages of a game lacking in tempo and tenacity.
With three massive fixtures remaining in the race for Europe, having the ability to mix things up will be key for Newcastle.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has started to feel the pressure in recent weeks, with the threat of an Ineos-inspired clear-out both on and off the pitch potentially looming ahead of what promises to be a busy summer at Old Trafford.
Though before the Dutchman can think about what may come in the coming months, he must first try to navigate his team into finishing