The early strikes by Joelinton and Yoane Wissa propelled Newcastle United towards achieving just their second Premier League away victory of the current campaign, as they secured a 3-1 triumph over a resilient Burnley side at Turf Moor.
Only 65 seconds into the match, Joelinton broke his Premier League scoring drought spanning 365 days, giving the Magpies an early advantage. Six minutes thereafter, Wissa, in his inaugural league start for the Magpies, netted his maiden league goal for the club.
Burnley, struggling against relegation, found a lifeline in the 23rd minute when Josh Laurent managed to pull one back. However, despite generating numerous opportunities in the second half, they failed to level the score, with Bruno Guimarães ultimately putting the game beyond reach during added time, extending Burnley’s winless run to ten matches and leaving them six points from a secure position.
This result marked Newcastle’s initial away victory since their 4-1 triumph over Everton on November 29th; nevertheless, the performance was less than absolute, given Burnley’s control of the second period prior to a late, fortunate third goal.
A dismal opening phase compelled Burnley to adopt a more offensive strategy. Anthony Gordon skillfully maneuvered past defenders on the left flank, delivering a low ball into the box, enabling Joelinton to effortlessly bypass Hjalmar Ekdal and volley the ball into the net.
The second scoring play appeared somewhat disorganized. Although Gordon’s forward pass was intercepted, Joelinton managed to dispossess Maxime Estève. Harvey Barnes’ subsequent shot was parried, yet Wissa managed to poke the ball in on his second effort, while Burnley’s futile appeals suggested Guimaraes had unfairly shoved Laurent aside.
Burnley’s predicament intensified when Estève, having just returned from a two-match layoff, had to be helped off the pitch due to injury after merely 13 minutes of play.
Considering the Clarets’ difficulties in scoring throughout the current season, the outcome already seemed decided. Nevertheless, Newcastle has consistently demonstrated a problematic tendency to relinquish leads and has not achieved a clean sheet since November 5th, thus they quickly offered their opponents an opportunity to get back into the game.
Lucas Pires’ initial attempt at goal was thwarted, but he then delivered an arcing cross which Armando Broja deftly flicked into the path of Laurent, who then dispatched it past Nick Pope, making his return from injury against his previous team.
Newcastle ought to have swiftly re-established their two-goal advantage, yet Wissa inexplicably misdirected his header wide despite being completely unmarked at the far post. A subsequent weak header from Ekdal provided the Congolese attacker with another opportunity, but he once more shot wide from a narrow position.
The next opportunity fell to Barnes, who had been put through on goal by Guimaraes, however, Martin Dúbravka executed a crucial save, thwarting his old team.
The initial period concluded with Fabian Schär clearing Marcus Edwards’ shot from the goal line, an event that foreshadowed Burnley’s aggressive offensive approach in the subsequent half.
A rapid offensive movement culminated in Loum Tchaouna striking the ball directly at Pope. During the ensuing counter, the shot-stopper cleared away Edwards’ effort.
Pope subsequently retreated to palm Lucas Pires’ combined cross and shot away from the goal line, though he had already been defeated as Laurent’s arcing header rebounded off the crossbar. Tchaouna then squandered a further opportunity by heading wide at the far post.
Newcastle had scarcely ventured into the opposition’s territory, but in the 77th minute, following a corner kick, Malick Thiaw’s header was cleared off the line by Bashir Humphreys. Moments later, substitute Jacob Murphy sent his shot well over the bar despite a clear opening.
The third goal was presented as an unearned bonus. A misunderstanding occurred between Ekdal and Dubravka, allowing Guimaraes to convert from approximately 25 yards out.
