Away end moment for Longstaff

SEAN Longstaff took his Newcastle United goals tally to seven for the season in the 4-1 win over Burnley before being serenaded by a packed away end full of appreciative Geordies at Turf Moor.

“Sean Longstaff, he’s one of our own,” was the chant from the opposite end of the pitch as the midfielder netted Newcastle’s second of the afternoon. That show of support will have felt extra special to a player who has received more criticism than most in what has been a tough campaign.

“They follow us up and down the country and there have been days where unfortunately for us we’ve not been there,” Longstaff said at full-time. “So it’s good to give them an away day to remember – there’s nothing better.”

Longstaff may not have matched his incredible form of last season in recent months but the academy graduate has been an ever-present figure in Eddie Howe’s side given constant injuries in the Magpies’ camp. The 26-year-old has himself been playing through the pain, taking injections for a foot problem throughout the campaign.

Longstaff and Newcastle’s fellow Geordie contingent were celebrated last week against Sheffield United as Wor Flags unveiled a pre-match display dedicated to the local lads of Howe’s group. It turns out the midfielder has also received one to one support from his manager just this week after what must have been a testing season both on and off the pitch.

“I had a good chat with the manager this week,” Longstaff told NUFC TV after Saturday’s win. “He pulled me and reaffirmed to me all the positives that I bring to the team. Sometimes it’s nice to have that conversation and the timing was really good.

“Sometimes you can get caught up in everything that’s going on outside. What people are saying, I can’t control that. Ultimately, all I can do is play football and, whatever people say, people say. It is what it is.

“He believes in me and I really appreciate it. He and his staff have been great with me. He’s a special person.”

Longstaff’s goal sent

Newcastle on their way to victory against Burnley and hours after the clash at Turf Moor concluded, Sean’s brother Matty found the net for Toronto FC in the MLS.

LEE RYDER

Before Saturday’s 3pm showdown, Newcastle had won just four of their 16 away games in the league. After only 10 minutes of action, it looked like that poor record may well worsen.

Burnley burst out of the traps, looking like a team very much fighting for their top-flight future. Vincent Kompany’s men missed early chances through Jacob Bruun Larsen and Lorenz Assignon in the opening stages and would come to rue them. Though Newcastle, at first, looked like they were struggling to get a grip of the contest.

Fans have witnessed shaky Newcastle starts at Fulham and Crystal Palace just this year, with those