A win will always matter in football, but Newcastle United seem determined to take the longest, most stressful road possible every single time.
After letting two needless points slip away earlier in the week against Tottenham Hotspur, they almost allowed the same story to unfold again when Burnley arrived at St. James’ Park. What should have been a comfortable afternoon turned into another lesson in how quickly confidence can wobble when concentration drops.
Newcastle began with control, and Bruno Guimarães produced a moment of brilliance that lifted the entire stadium. His goal came directly from a corner, curled with such precision that it stunned both sets of supporters and gave the team the perfect platform.
Soon after, Anthony Gordon added a second from the penalty spot his fourth successful penalty of the season right on the stroke of half-time. At 2–0, with the visitors reduced to ten men, it looked as though the game was ready to settle into something calm and straightforward.
But this Newcastle side rarely takes the simple route, and Burnley refused to give in. A late penalty after a Jacob Ramsey handball handed Scott Parker’s team a lifeline and created the kind of finish that has become all too familiar this season.
What should have been a routine job suddenly turned into a tense final few minutes, with the home crowd feeling every touch and clearance. Newcastle held on, climbed to tenth place for the moment, and collected another three points but it was far from smooth.
After the final whistle, Eddie Howe admitted the whole afternoon felt stranger than it should have. He pointed out that a 2–0 lead normally brings control and confidence, yet one mistake instantly changed the rhythm.
He described the ending as “bizarre” because Newcastle looked comfortable before the penalty shifted the momentum and removed the advantage of Burnley being a man down.
Howe was honest about the performance, recognising that the first half had its positive moments but the second half lacked energy, creativity, and the sharpness needed to really punish the opposition.
He explained that the team struggled to operate in the right areas of the pitch and didn’t do enough to break Burnley down. Still, he credited the visitors for defending well and showing strong resilience despite their numerical disadvantage.
Howe reminded supporters that the broader picture is still encouraging. Ten points from a possible twelve is the kind of form any team would accept, especially during a period filled with injuries, rotation, and pressure from multiple competitions.
One of the main talking points of the match was the Premier League debut of Yoane Wissa, who came on to make his first appearance since joining the club.
Howe expressed his delight in seeing the forward get his first minutes, stressing that Wissa is still building fitness and has a great deal more to offer.
The cameo was small, but it symbolised the beginning of what Newcastle hope will be an impactful journey in black and white. Howe believes that getting him involved early will help accelerate his adaptation and confidence.
Although the team performance was far from perfect, Howe was eager to keep the mood positive. He repeated the message that the side is heading in the right direction and that collecting points even when playing below their best is a sign of progress.
With major fixtures approaching, including the return to Champions League action and a huge clash with Sunderland on the horizon, Howe wants the squad focused, united, and ready to build on this stretch of results.
Newcastle may not make things look easy, but they continue to grind out results in moments when it truly matters. The hope now is that the lessons from this match will be carried forward into a demanding period that will test both character and ambition.
