Newcastle United 3-1 Burnley: Callum Wilson double helps the hosts move up to sixth
Burnley #Burnley
Allan Saint-Maximin scored and assisted in the same Premier League game for the first time
Newcastle moved up to sixth in the Premier League with a comfortable win over a disappointing Burnley side.
The Clarets, who were well below par particularly in the first half are now 19th in the table, after losing their opening three games in the top flight for the first time since 1927-28.
Allan Saint-Maximin opened the scoring for the hosts with a low drive into the bottom right corner.
While Burnley rallied and levelled via Ashley Westwood’s superb volley into the same corner, Newcastle quickly wrestled back control of the game.
Saint-Maximin’s purposeful run down the right gave Callum Wilson a tap-in.
And the forward added his second – and Newcastle’s third – from a penalty after Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope fouled Ryan Fraser after miscontrolling James Tarkowski’s backpass.
Nightmare night for Pope
It was a difficult evening for Burnley despite the return of Tarkowski in defence – making his first Premier League start of the campaign following a toe injury.
The pace and power of Joelinton and Wilson caused them problems throughout and two early misjudgements by Pope seemed to spark a nervousness in front of him.
The twice-capped England goalkeeper ought to have been punished after allowing Wilson to charge down an attempted clearance in the opening minutes and was also lucky to escape without conceding moments later – charging out of his area and watching as the forward skipped clear of him.
Burnley getting punished for mistakes – Dyche
Kevin Long’s misplaced pass out of defence put further pressure on the visitors, who were grateful to see former player Jeff Hendrick skew wide from a good position just before the break.
There were moments of promise for Burnley in attack. Dwight McNeil’s fizzing drive brought a fine save from home goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who also did well to tip Chris Wood’s header to safety.
And while Sean Dyche’s side played with considerably more intensity in the second half and scored a superb goal, their confidence appeared badly dented when Wilson re-established Newcastle’s lead.
Pope’s final error just compounded a dreadful night and their pointless start.
Saint-Maximin’s magic
Newcastle had won just one of their past eight home league games prior to Burnley’s arrival at St James’ Park.
And apart from a 20-minute spell after the break there was enough in what was an otherwise commanding performance to cheer manager Steve Bruce.
Wilson has now scored four goals in his four Premier League appearances for the club and appears worth every penny of the £20m the Magpies paid for him.
Jonjo Shelvey’s scheming was a feature of their play, with the midfielder making more passes than any other Newcastle player and driving his side forward at every opportunity.
And in Saint-Maximin, Bruce had arguably the game’s outstanding player at his disposal.
Saint-Maximin is a threat for Newcastle – Bruce
Despite being closely marked and on the end of a few crunching Phil Bardsley challenges, the 23-year-old French winger was unplayable at times.
Returning from a three-game absence after an ankle injury, he latched on to Wilson’s touch to sweep in a delicious opening goal.
And then with Burnley threatening to take control, he outmuscled McNeil and accelerated away from Charlie Taylor before supplying Wilson with the easiest of finishes.
However, one concern for Bruce will be that the Frenchman and Swiss defender Fabian Schar both had to be substituted with injuries.
‘We tried to be more expansive’ – what they said
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce told BBC Match of the Day: “I am delighted for the players. We’ve all had our fair share of criticism this week, maybe rightly so.
“Tonight we have hopefully quietened a few for a while anyway. We have tried to change and be more expansive. It goes up and down so quickly – that’s Newcastle.
“If we can keep Allan Saint-Maximin fit he will get people off their seats, he can do things that other people can’t. He is explosive. He is a goalscorer and a threat.
“I’ve known Phil Bardsley since he was 12 so I’m not shocked that he’s had a few kicks at him.”
Burnley boss Sean Dyche: “Allan Saint-Maximin? He was a handful, well done him. I’m really pleased for him.
“On a night like tonight Nick Pope should just put his foot through it, he knows that but he’s a top keeper.
“We have still got four important players missing, we have a few days off now and then we will work very hard. When everyone is fit we have got a good group. It looks different when they are all back.”
Wilson emulates Ferdinand – the stats
What’s next?
Following the international break, Newcastle welcome Manchester United to St James’ Park in the Premier League on Saturday, 17 October (15:00 BST).
Burnley travel to West Brom on the same day and also kick-off at 15:00.
Player of the match
Saint-MaximinAllan Saint-Maximin
Newcastle United
Squad number10Player nameSaint-Maximin
Squad number13Player nameC Wilson
Squad number26Player nameDarlow
Squad number14Player nameHayden
Squad number8Player nameShelvey
Squad number21Player nameFraser
Squad number15Player nameLewis
Squad number18Player nameFernández
Squad number17Player nameKrafth
Squad number19Player nameManquillo
Squad number5Player nameSchär
Squad number16Player nameHendrick
Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff
Squad number9Player nameJoelinton
Burnley
Squad number18Player nameWestwood
Squad number10Player nameBarnes
Squad number11Player nameMcNeil
Squad number9Player nameWood
Squad number5Player nameTarkowski
Squad number8Player nameBrownhill
Squad number16Player nameStephens
Squad number3Player nameTaylor
Squad number7Player nameGudmundsson
Squad number28Player nameLong
Squad number27Player nameVydra
Squad number26Player nameBardsley
Squad number1Player namePope
Line-ups Newcastle
Substitutes
Burnley
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Newcastle United 3, Burnley 1.
90’+5′
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 3, Burnley 1.
90’+4′
Offside, Newcastle United. Federico Fernández tries a through ball, but Callum Wilson is caught offside.
90’+3′
Attempt missed. Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Callum Wilson.
90’+3′
Substitution, Newcastle United. Sean Longstaff replaces Joelinton.
90’+3′
Attempt missed. Kevin Long (Burnley) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Josh Brownhill following a set piece situation.
90’+2′
Matej Vydra (Burnley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90’+2′
Foul by Javier Manquillo (Newcastle United).
89′
Foul by Isaac Hayden (Newcastle United).
89′
Josh Brownhill (Burnley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
86′
Offside, Burnley. Phil Bardsley tries a through ball, but Chris Wood is caught offside.
82′
Offside, Burnley. Dwight McNeil tries a through ball, but Matej Vydra is caught offside.
82′
Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
82′
Foul by Phil Bardsley (Burnley).
81′
Javier Manquillo (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
81′
Foul by Josh Brownhill (Burnley).
80′
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Nick Pope.
80′
Attempt missed. Ryan Fraser (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Joelinton.
78′
Substitution, Burnley. Matej Vydra replaces Ashley Barnes.
77′
Goal! Newcastle United 3, Burnley 1. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal.
