Newcastle Defeat Bilbao to Prolong Champions League Victory Streak
Newcastle claimed their third consecutive Champions League triumph thanks to Dan Burns powerful header which powered a satisfying 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
Burn delivered a spectacular strike during the opening period at St James Park and Joelinton added another after the break to seal Newcastles fifth straight home victory across all tournaments.
The disappointing 3-1 loss to lower ranked West Ham on Sunday had left the Magpies in 13th position in the Premier League and triggered intense reflection among supporters on Tyneside.
Despite their challenges in domestic play Eddie Howes team boasts three victories in four Champions League outings this campaign with their sole defeat against Barcelona in the initial fixture.
With upcoming away games at Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen in the following league phase matches Newcastle sitting in sixth are well positioned to clinch a top eight spot ensuring direct entry to the knockout rounds.
Howe anticipates that Newcastles continental achievements will propel them into a series of successes in the Premier League beginning with the visit to Brentford on Sunday.
Struggling in the middle of La Liga standings following a defeat to Basque competitors Real Sociedad last week Bilbao hampered by injuries lacked bite in the absence of siblings Inaki and Nico Williams.
Unai Gomez squandered an initial opportunity for the away side by nodding Alex Berenguers corner directly at Nick Pope allowing Newcastle to capitalise on the reprieve.
Newcastles underwhelming performance at West Ham fuelled claims that Howes squad tends to match the intensity of weaker foes.
Burn Proves His Worth
Burn contributed to that narrative earlier this week by stating that everyone expects them to perform against Bilbao.
The England defender lived up to his promise by opening the scoring in the 11th minute.
Kieran Trippiers set piece found Burn unmarked inside the box and he capitalised on Bilbaos poor defending with an exquisite header that bent into the distant corner from 10 yards out.
Such a fine effort would have impressed even the iconic Newcastle forward Alan Shearer who watched approvingly from the terraces.
Bilbao responded with some resilience briefly threatening to equalise as careless Newcastle gifted them the ball too often.
Gomez broke through the sluggish Newcastle backline and struck the upright with his shot.
As Newcastle reeled Adama Boiro unleashed a fierce effort from 18 yards that cannoned off the frame of the goal.
Howes players missed a golden opportunity to extend their advantage when Nick Woltemade rose to meet Harvey Barnes cross but headed wide.
Newcastle took a hit when England wide man Anthony Gordon was forced off with a hip problem resurfacing towards the end of the first half.
Undeterred they extended their lead in the 49th minute.
Barnes intelligently created room on the left flank of the Bilbao penalty area and delivered a pinpoint cross into the six yard box where Joelinton powered his header beyond Unai Simon for his first strike in nine appearances.
Nico Serranos impressive effort from distance almost deceived Pope but the Newcastle goalkeeper steadied himself to maintain a straightforward shutout.