Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has been praised by Bruno Guimaraes after the win over Athletic Club.
Ernesto Valverde warned his Athletic Club side about three Newcastle United players before Wednesday’s game.
Valverde highlighted the aerial threat of Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Dan Burn, believing they would be difficult to contain.
Sure enough, Burn popped up with the opening goal as he managed to curl his header into the back of the net.
Newcastle sealed a 2-0 win with another cross, as Joelinton nodded Harvey Barnes’ delivery into the net.
Newcastle United defender Dan Burn celebrates against Athletic Club
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Bruno Guimaraes on Newcastle United defender Dan Burn
Valverde knew Burn’s threat from crosses, but actually stopping him is another matter entirely.
The defender’s header left Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon rooted to the spot, and you might just hear some ‘bend it like Burn’ shouts.
Magpies captain Bruno Guimaraes paid tribute to Burn after the final whistle, praising him as ‘unbelievable’.
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Bruno admitted to TNT Sports that he has been joking with Burn about when his first goal of the season would arrive.
Bruno felt that the goal against Athletic came at a crucial moment, and praised Burn as a player and as a person.
“What a guy, love him. He deserved a goal; I think it was his first goal of the season. We were joking last week about when he would score, and today, he scored, so it was an unbelievable moment for it.
“When the game was a little bit tough, he scored in a key moment. Pleased for him, what a guy, not just a player, what a guy, Dan Burn is unbelievable.
“My first thought was he was trying to pass, but what a goal,” he added.
Dan Burn is making himself very difficult to drop
Burn has made no secret of the fact that he would rather play at centre-back than left-back.
The boyhood Newcastle fan is doing a job for the team, though, and has turned in decent displays in Lewis Hall’s absence.
Hall came off the bench against Athletic to make his return from injury, and some may think that he will slot in at left-back when fully fit.
The giant defender has sent a message to Howe, though, making it clear that he deserves to be in the starting line-up.
Burn provides height, experience and leadership, meaning Howe will always be able to count on him at centre-back or left-back.
Burn will continue to play an important role in the Newcastle squad, and he will hopefully grab a few more goals after scoring on Wednesday.