Not many Newcastle United players covered themselves in glory during Saturday’s Premier League defeat at Brighton but Eddie Howe paid special mention to Dan Burn.
Newcastle United lost to Brighton on Saturday, suffering the first away loss of their campaign thus far.
It was a bitterly disappointing yet entirely predictable defeat. After a bright start, Newcastle faded and were listless for most of the first half and duly went into the break behind after Danny Welbeck’s goal.
Howe’s side rallied somewhat and Nick Woltemade’s brilliant goal against Brighton offered Newcastle some hope before Welbeck secured all three points with his second goal of the game.
Howe praised Lewis Miley after Newcastle’s defeat and Burn also got his flowers from the Newcastle United manager.
Danny Welbeck celebrates after scoring for Brighton against Newcastle United.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Eddie Howe praises Dan Burn despite Newcastle’s defeat to Brighton
Burn is having to play at left-back because of injuries to Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento.
It’s not an ideal situation and the 33-year-old isn’t quite at his brilliant best, although Howe continues to be impressed.
Welbeck’s second goal was harsh on Burn. It was he who tracked Mats Wieffer’s late surge into the box, with the Newcastle defender stopping the Dutchman in his tracks with a brilliant tackle.
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The ball, however, bounced to Welbeck and he finished with aplomb.
Speaking after the game, Howe said of Burn’s performance (via BBC Radio Newcastle): “I think it would be in the build-up to that [goal] where we feel that we could have done better.
“Dan made, as you say, a heroic tackle in that moment and I thought he gave it his all again today like he always does. But it dropped to Welbeck and he put it away well.”
Danny seals the deal against Newcastle!
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Eddie Howe knows he struck transfer gold with Dan Burn at Newcastle
Howe thinks Burn was an “amazing” transfer for Newcastle, with the defender making himself a legend at the club following his move from Brighton in January 2022.
“Of course, Dan had links to the area and links to the club and wanted to come,” he said.
“So, it turned out to be an amazing transfer and, as you say, he’s been worth every penny and some more for what he’s given and what he continues to give.”
Clearly, it would be better to play him at centre-back. Injuries in the Newcastle United squad, however, do not afford Howe that luxury.
When injuries bite, Howe needs his leaders in the squad to step up. Burn is doing exactly that, even if it’s not the scenario many had in mind when the season started.