Eddie Howe will walk into the New Year pleased that Newcastle United managed to end a difficult run with a rare away win, but the 3-1 victory over Burnley did very little to hide the deeper problems still troubling his side.
The result looks comfortable on paper, yet anyone who watched the game closely could see how fragile Newcastle were for long spells. On another night, Burnley could easily have taken something from the match, and it was only moments of defensive grit and poor finishing from the hosts that allowed the Magpies to escape with all three points.
The early goals gave Newcastle breathing space, but once that initial burst faded, the performance slipped into a familiar pattern. Possession was sloppy, intensity dropped, and several key players failed to make the impact expected of them.
Anthony Gordon was once again at the centre of the conversation, and not for the right reasons. While he did register an assist for Joelinton’s opener inside the opening minutes, that contribution masked a largely flat display across the rest of the match.
When Gordon is at his best, he brings pace, aggression, and confidence to Newcastle’s attack. His overall numbers for the club show he is not short on quality, with a strong record of goals and assists since arriving on Tyneside.
However, football is about consistency, and that has been Gordon’s biggest problem this season. After a brief spell of encouragement earlier in December, where he finally found the net again, his form has dipped sharply.
Against Burnley, he struggled to influence the game, failed to register a single shot on target, and lost far too many individual battles. There were moments where his body language suggested frustration rather than hunger, and that is something supporters quickly pick up on.
Gordon also caused problems defensively. His failure to track runners allowed Burnley to grow into the game, and his decision-making in possession often slowed Newcastle down rather than pushing them forward.
For a player who once carried the label of a potential £100 million talent, this version of Gordon looks far from that level. Eddie Howe now faces a serious decision about whether persistence will bring improvement, or whether dropping him might be the wake-up call he needs.
Yet Gordon was not the only player whose display raised concerns. Sandro Tonali’s performance in midfield was arguably even more worrying.
Once viewed as one of Newcastle’s most important signings and a player capable of controlling games, the Italian midfielder looks a shadow of his former self. His energy, sharpness, and aggression have all dipped, and against Burnley he struggled badly to impose himself.
Tonali was slow into tackles, careless in possession, and frequently bypassed as Burnley pushed through midfield. What stood out most was how often he lost the ball in simple situations, putting pressure back on his own defence.
That lack of sharpness has now become a pattern rather than a one-off. Over his last two appearances, his numbers show a clear drop in duels won, tackles completed, and overall influence on the game.
To give a clearer picture of his recent decline, the table below highlights Tonali’s key statistics from his last two league matches:
| Metric | vs Manchester United | vs Burnley |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes played | 77 | 90 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 |
| Total touches | 74 | 71 |
| Shots | 2 | 0 |
| Accurate passes | 48/55 | 49/60 |
| Possession lost | 13 | 17 |
| Tackles won | 1 | 0 |
| Duels won | 5/9 | 2/7 |
These numbers underline the problem clearly. For a midfielder expected to control tempo and protect the back line, losing possession this often and winning so few duels is simply not good enough.
It is no surprise that criticism has started to grow, with some observers suggesting Tonali looks disengaged at times. Whether that is frustration, fatigue, or a dip in confidence, it is something Howe cannot ignore for much longer.
There were positives on the night, and it is important not to overlook them. Joelinton’s early goal was a welcome sight, marking his first league strike in a year, and his overall performance was one of strength and determination.
Yoane Wissa also showed signs of settling in, taking his goal well and offering a focal point in attack. These moments gave Newcastle just enough cutting edge to win the game.
However, football is about balance, and right now Newcastle lack it. Carrying players who are off form or mentally switched off puts extra strain on the rest of the team. Eddie Howe has built his success on intensity, work rate, and unity, and performances like those from Gordon and Tonali go against that identity.
As Newcastle prepare to face Crystal Palace in their first league match of the New Year, Howe may have to make some bold calls. Dropping big names is never easy, but sometimes it is necessary to protect standards and send a clear message.
Gordon and Tonali both have the talent to turn things around, but unless their levels rise quickly, their places in the starting eleven can no longer be guaranteed. For Newcastle to move forward in 2026, tough decisions may be unavoidable.
