Kieran Trippier’s class shone through on another successful Champions League night for Newcastle United.
The 35-year-old had been absent for Newcastle United’s defeat to West Ham at the weekend, but was able to make his return from illness on Wednesday night.
He played the full 90 minutes as Newcastle United beat Athletic Club 2-0, putting in the kind of performance that sums up just how vital his experience is.
While Sandro Tonali was Newcastle United’s best player on Wednesday night, Kieran Trippier was not far behind him.
Kieran Trippier heads the ball during Newcastle United's Champions League game against Athletic Club.
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Joe Willock hails ‘top class’ Kieran Trippier
The right-back was outstanding against Athletic Club, and has been praised by some of his teammates following another impressive European victory for Newcastle United.
After moving up to sixth in the league table, Trippier took to his official Instagram account to comment on his return to the side after illness.
He wrote: “Quality by everyone tonight and three points we needed to bounce back from the weekend.”
Newcastle United bounced back in a big way, and that was largely down to Trippier’s return to the starting XI.
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That was not lost on Toon teammate Joe Willock, who had some emotional words for Trippier.
In response to his Instagram post, Willock wrote: “My brother through thick and thin. Top class tonight.
There was also a comment from Malick Thiaw, who wrote: “Solid.”
Kieran Trippier’s forgotten moment of quality in Newcastle United’s win over Athletic Club
The most talked about moment from Newcastle United’s win over Athletic Club is Dan Burn’s header.
It was a thing of beauty, with the 33-year-old managing to curl a header from distance beyond a helpless Unai Simon.
In terms of quality, it was up there with his header in the Carabao Cup final. It was another special goal from Dan Burn, but it was made possible by Trippier.
The goal would not have happened without the delivery. Thankfully, Trippier’s whipped ball into the box landed exactly where Burn needed it.
The cross has been forgotten in the aftermath of Burn’s stunning strike, but Trippier deserves credit for what was his first assist of the season. In fact, it is the defender’s first assist since April.
Having initially been so influential in the final third at St James’ Park, the assists have dried up as of late for Trippier. He has just one so far this season, while last season he only created four goals. Obviously, that includes Burn’s Carabao Cup final header.
In comparison, Trippier got 10 assists during the 2022/23 campaign and 11 in 2023/24.