Newcastle United closed out 2025 with a Premier League victory, but the performance itself left many supporters feeling uneasy rather than satisfied. The 3–1 win over Burnley delivered the points Eddie Howe’s side badly needed, yet once again it was far from convincing.
There were moments of quality, spells of control, and individual highlights, but overall the team looked disjointed, sloppy in possession, and short of their usual sharpness. Some players stood out in a positive way, while others endured a difficult evening that raised serious questions.
Nick Pope returned to the starting lineup against his former club and proved why his presence still matters so much to Newcastle. For large parts of the game he was relatively quiet, but when Burnley pushed late on, Pope came up big.
He made a series of strong saves near the end that helped protect Newcastle’s lead and calm things down when pressure was building. His command of the box and shot-stopping were crucial at a key moment, earning him a well-deserved 8 out of 10.
Lewis Miley continued his impressive adaptation to full-back, a role that few would have imagined him playing at senior level not long ago. Once again, he showed composure, energy, and intelligence.
Filling in for the injured Tino Livramento is no easy task, but Miley handled it with confidence and maturity. He rarely looked out of place and contributed well both defensively and in possession. His steady display deserved a solid 7 out of 10.
Malick Thiaw had a mixed night at the heart of defence. Newcastle’s overall lack of structure at times made even the calmest defenders look uncomfortable, and Thiaw was no exception.
There were moments where he seemed unsure, but he also showed his defensive instincts with a late header that was cleared off the line. It was not his best game, but not a disaster either, earning him a 6 out of 10.
Fabian Schär also had an up-and-down performance. His experience showed when he made a brilliant goal-line block in the first half that kept Newcastle in front.
On the ball, he produced a few nice forward passes that helped move play along. However, he too looked affected by the team’s lack of control. Overall, a decent but unspectacular display, rated at 6 out of 10.
Lewis Hall remains one of Newcastle’s most reliable performers this season, and even on a night when he was not at his absolute best, he still stood out.
There was some concern over a knock, which may have limited him slightly, but he continued to show quality and awareness. His late pass to set up Jacob Murphy was excellent, even if the chance was missed. Hall’s consistency earns him an 8 out of 10.
Bruno Guimarães had a performance that summed up Newcastle’s night perfectly. There were moments of brilliance mixed with frustrating sloppiness.
He did brilliantly to keep the ball alive for Yoane Wissa’s goal, showing quick thinking and determination. However, after Newcastle went 2–0 up, he gave the ball away too often as the team lost control. He made up for it in style by sealing the win with a lovely late lob, finishing the night with a 7 out of 10.
Then there is Sandro Tonali, whose performance became the main talking point for all the wrong reasons. It is hard to remember the last time he truly dominated a game in a Newcastle shirt. Normally, even when he is quiet, his base level remains high.
Against Burnley, though, everything seemed off. His passing lacked sharpness, his movement was slow, and his influence was minimal. For a player of his reputation and quality, this was a worrying display. Painful as it is to say, Tonali struggled badly and finished with a 3 out of 10.
Joelinton marked his 200th Premier League appearance for Newcastle with a goal and plenty of physical effort. He remains a powerful presence and worked hard throughout the game.
That said, he does not quite look the same force he was in previous seasons, perhaps another sign of fatigue. Still, his contribution was valuable, earning him a 6 out of 10.
Harvey Barnes had a frustrating evening. He should have scored in the first half and had a few moments where he showed his technical ability, but overall his impact was limited. He struggled to really impose himself on the game and drifted in and out of play. A 5 out of 10 felt fair.
Yoane Wissa once again showed his striker’s instincts. His goal in the first half was all about determination and sharp reactions inside the box.
He could have had more, especially when he missed a header at the back post that should have resulted in a second goal. Still, his movement and finishing threat were important, earning him a 7 out of 10.
Anthony Gordon worked hard and played a key role in Joelinton’s goal, causing Burnley problems with his direct running. However, he never quite reached the level he showed against Chelsea earlier in the week. He missed a big chance before the hour mark and faded as the game went on. A 6 out of 10 reflected his mixed contribution.
The substitutes struggled to make an impact. Jacob Murphy missed a big chance late on and looked short of confidence, finishing with a 4 out of 10. Nick Woltemade also found it difficult to influence the game and was rated 4 out of 10. Jacob Ramsey similarly failed to change the tempo or add control, also receiving a 4 out of 10.
In the end, Newcastle got the job done, but the performance raised more questions than answers. Individual brilliance saved the night, but the lack of cohesion, especially in midfield, will worry Eddie Howe as the season moves forward.
