The Magpies are residing in the bottom half of the Premier League after their uncertain start to the domestic campaign but there’s no such struggle in Europe and qualification for the knockout stages is now extremely likely for Eddie Howe’s side after they comfortably saw off Athletic Club 2-0 to make it three wins from four in the Champions League.
The victory means the Magpies are looking down on the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Barcelona in the Champions League standings and they’re only two points shy of the tally that was enough to secure a place in the top 24 last season.
That feels a certainty now, even if three of the remaining four games for Newcastle are on their travels. Indeed, if Howe can find a solution to his side’s struggle on the road then a place in the top eight and automatic qualification for the last 16 is possible.
Dan Burn described having to sit through the rotten replays of Sunday’s no-show at West Ham as “very painful”. He’ll never tire of watching back his stunning headed opener that set Newcastle on their way against Athletic Club. That was much needed after what had been a sloppy start but there was a swagger to the Magpies after Joelinton doubled the lead four minutes into the second half.
The Brazilian was teed up by Harvey Barnes, who took his chance in the side with a positive display and will almost certainly keep his place at Brentford, which Anthony Gordon looks likely to miss. The winger has dazzled in the Champions League this season but struggled domestically and after being hooked at half-time at West Ham was again a shadow of his best self in the early stages on Wednesday night.
Perhaps there’s been an underlying issue. He hobbled uncomfortably for 10 minutes or so with what looked like a hip problem before finally going down and being replaced late in the first half, putting his participation at Brentford and for England next week in serious doubt.
It’s at Brentford where Newcastle now need to follow up this victory and prove that they’ve learned the lessons of the dismal West Ham defeat.
On the back of that worrying loss in the capital, Howe admitted he was mulling over the “difficult” decision as to whether to ring the changes or give those who underperformed the chance to redeem themselves. He opted for the latter, making only two changes. Kieran Trippier was sorely missed on Sunday and his return was welcomed.
The standard-setter knows displays like the one served up in the capital aren’t acceptable and will have told his teammates as much. But it’s not just his leadership that Newcastle still rely on, it’s his quality and United’s much-needed 11th minute opener was as much about the right-back’s pinpoint free-kick delivery as it was Burn’s unstoppable header at the back post.
For all Burn had promised that Newcastle would be desperate to right the wrongs of West Ham when he spoke to the media on Tuesday, the Magpies were sloppy and uncertain early on. Gordon found an opposition shirt on more than one occasion in a shaky opening and the visitors had the first good chance of the game when Unai Gomez headed straight at Pope from a corner.
Gordon’s carelessness led to another Athletic Club opportunity and after Gomez hit the base of one post, a corner from the right found its way to left-back Adama Boiro, whose vicious strike from 25 yards crunched back off the post. Newcastle were ahead but hardly on top. Burn’s header was their only touch in the visiting penalty area in the first 25 minutes before another fine Trippier delivery led to a good chance for Nick Woltemade but he headed wide.
With Gordon unable to continue, Howe turned not to £55m man Anthony Elanga but Jacob Murphy, harshly dropped after being the only player to emerge from the West Ham defeat with any real credit.
Barnes moved from the right to left and immediately teed up Joelinton, who should have scored but instead fired straight at goalkeeper Unai Simon. Simon couldn’t keep out the Brazilian four minutes after the restart. Barnes was again the creator, keeping the attack alive after his initial shot was blocked and lifting a cross onto the head of the midfielder, who made no mistake from close range.
The Magpies were comfortable and in the mood. Murphy teased in a cross that was scrambled clear before Burn failed to make the most of an opening. At that stage, the visitors looked ready for home.
Burn got a breather as Lewis Hall returned, another boost for the Magpies, and Bruno was also able to sit out the final quarter of the game after his illness. Newcastle lost their rhythm after the changes and the visitors clawed back some control and had a string of half-chances but Nick Pope, who responded to his poor West Ham display with an eye-catching performance, kept them out.