So many Newcastle United players shone against Benfica, but that was not true of everyone in black and white according to the Portuguese media.
The Magpies continued to flex their muscles in the Champions League with a commanding performance, as Newcastle United beat Benfica 3-0 to make it consecutive European wins.
Anthony Gordon was the star of the show at St James’ Park, while Nick Woltemade once again proved his worth in and around the box without finding the back of the net.
The Portuguese media were impressed with Gordon’s performance after his goal and assist, but it was a different story for two of Eddie Howe’s defenders.
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Despite keeping a seventh clean sheet of the season, Portuguese outlet A Bola have criticised two members of the Magpies’ back four.
The first was Dan Burn, who started at left-back for the fifth consecutive game. He was up against Dodi Lukebakio, who caused the Blyth giant real problems. The Belgian winger forced a couple of good saves from Nick Pope, while he also struck the woodwork.
On Burn, A Bola wrote: “Dan Burn struggled with Lukebakio’s presence, losing sight of the Belgian international several times in the first half, but he made up for it offensively, creating numerous dangerous chances from corner kicks.”
That is a fair reflection of Burn’s performance, and it resulted in A Bola giving him a rating of 5/10.
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Incredibly, one Newcastle United player received an even lower score. That was Malick Thiaw, the German superstar who was only awarded a 4/10.
That seems staggeringly low for a player who put in another accomplished performance alongside Sven Botman. Thiaw has been excellent for Newcastle United, and there was no real cause for concern coming out of the win against Benfica.
Dan Burn’s problem is a warning to Newcastle United
Lukebakio’s pace and dribbling ability was a real problem for Burn. Benfica’s number 11 got beyond Burn early on in the game with a delicate touch, and from that moment on you could tell he had the beating of the Toon defender.
While it was hardly a poor performance from Burn, his struggles up against Lukebakio should serve as a warning for Eddie Howe. It will be the nature of the beast if he continues to play the 6ft 7in defender at left-back.
Right now, the Newcastle United manager does not have an alternative. With Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento injured, Burn is the only senior player capable of operating at left-back.
He is being asked to do a job out there, and he is doing it very well. However, he is certainly not a long-term option in that position.
In turn, that represents a problem for Burn. His best position is centre-back, but it is difficult to envision him getting to play there regularly now that Sven Botman has recaptured his best form in black and white.