What a main event it was when Newcastle United entertained Burnley at St. James Park last night. The home crowd far from disappointed as Rafa’s men put in another excellent performance.
The Toons impressed with a two-goal victory while keeping out Sean Dyche’s men on the other end. Referee Craig Pawson officiated a good game that was free-flowing with end-to-end action! Newcastle’s cleaning up at the back was led by a commanding Martin Dubravka performance.
The Clarets travel back to Burnley disappointed they got nothing from the game. A point at most maybe for their efforts. However, that being said, the Toon army wasn’t handing out points on the night and made it difficult for the away team to get anything from the 90 minutes.
St. James Park’s atmosphere emphasised the relief of the club and its supporters. They were the 12th man and vocal throughout the tie. There’s no way you can’t enjoy what’s happening at St. James Park!
It was all about Newcastle
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Two goals in the first half made sure Newcastle played with all the freedom in the world. The goal scored in the first half by Fabian Schar was worthy of all the spoils and is a contender for goal of the season, surely.
The next 10 minutes saw Newcastle continue to press high up the pitch and work hard for their second goal, and with enough persistence young Sean Longstaff was reward with his first ever English Top Flight goal. He was too superb until being substituted by Rafa. The work rate was expressed mostly by new signing, Miguel Almiron.
He and the Toon platoon were unlucky not to get a third just before the break. The scoreline stayed 2-0 for the rest of the way, with Burnley coming too close for comfort. However, the home side dug deep and saw the game out.
Fabian Schar and Isaac Hayden were immense in the clash and were the best players on the pitch for the night. One bossed the midfield while the other controlled the back and chipped in with a goal on the other end of the pitch.
🗣 "You ask any young boy in Newcastle and I think that's the ultimate dream - to score a goal in front of your friends and family."@seanlongstaff97 spoke to NUFC TV after scoring his first @premierleague goal at St. James' Park tonight.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 26, 2019
📺 https://t.co/5lEyEPlSqo #NUFC pic.twitter.com/FYbmkCE9w8
In conclusion and coming the weekend
Burnley loses their eight-game hot streak by the hands of Rafa and his new look Newcastle side. This was also the first loss endured by Sean Dyche in 2019. To add to that stat, this is the first match they fail to take points with Tom Heaton in between the poles.
In the other dressing room, this was the first goal scored from outside the box for Newcastle this season. They have also only conceded three goals while keeping two clean sheets in the past five fixtures. This gives them nine points from the last three games after winning three in a row. And then just one more stat… They’ve now gone four games unbeaten at home.
The two are back at it over the weekend, where Burnley hosts Crystal Palace and Newcastle journeys to the London Stadium and takes on West Ham, respectfully.