Newcastle United returned to St James’ Park with a win that carried both relief and excitement as they edged Burnley 2-1 in front of an expectant crowd.
It was another night where Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon stepped forward with confidence and quality, guiding their team toward a result that pushed them into the top half of the Premier League table.
Both players had already been on the scoresheet earlier in the week against Tottenham Hotspur, and they repeated that impact once again, proving how vital they are to Eddie Howe’s plans this season.
Howe surprised many with six changes to the line-up that drew with Spurs, but the rotation brought fresh energy and allowed some players to show they still have plenty to contribute.
Jacob Ramsey was handed a rare Premier League start, only his second since joining from Aston Villa in a £39 million deal. He formed part of a completely refreshed midfield alongside Bruno Guimarães and Joe Willock, with Sandro Tonali, Lewis Miley and Joelinton all dropping out of the starting eleven.
Other changes included Fabian Schär stepping in at the back, Anthony Gordon returning to the frontline and Anthony Elanga reclaiming his spot out wide.
Another major moment arrived before kick-off when Yoane Wissa was named in the squad for the first time since his big-money move from Brentford, finally beginning the next chapter of his Newcastle career.
Fans did not have to wait long to see Newcastle take control. They dominated the early exchanges but found Burnley determined to keep them out.
The breakthrough came on the hour mark, and it arrived in the kind of spectacular fashion that only Bruno Guimarães seems capable of producing. His in-swinging corner curled beautifully over Martin Dúbravka and dropped straight into the far corner.
It was a finish that looked almost impossible to execute by accident. The Brazilian celebrated his fifth goal of the campaign and his first ever scored at the Leazes End, a moment that lifted the crowd and energised the team.
Burnley’s problems then escalated when Lucas Pires was shown a red card just 12 minutes after Bruno’s opener. Elanga burst through on goal and was brought down, leaving the referee with little choice.
With a man advantage, Newcastle pressed even harder, looking for the goal that would put the result beyond doubt. That moment came right on the edge of half-time when Gordon was handed the chance to score from the penalty spot.
He stayed calm, just as he had earlier in the week, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and doubling the lead. Gordon’s improvement in consistency and confidence is beginning to shine through every performance now, and this felt like another step forward for him.
Although Newcastle looked comfortable for most of the match, Burnley found a late consolation when another penalty was given, this time at the other end.
Ramsey handled the ball in the box, giving Zian Flemming the chance to pull one back deep into stoppage time. It didn’t change the outcome, but it did slightly dampen what had otherwise been a commanding performance.
Several players stood out in different ways. Guimarães was once again a leader, mixing outrageous technique with the calmness that sets the standard for the group.
Willock brought much-needed dynamism to midfield, showing sharp movement and tidy touches. Ramsey, playing his first league start since August, kept things simple and showed glimpses of his quality, even though his mistake at the end cost a clean sheet.
Elanga caused constant problems down the wing and played a role in the red card that swung the match firmly in Newcastle’s favour. Gordon was electric, aggressive and clinical, showing signs that he is building toward his best form once again.
Wissa’s long-awaited debut arrived late on, and St James’ Park erupted as he stepped onto the pitch. Even in just 15 minutes, he looked sharp, confident and hungry to get involved.
His introduction was one of the highlights of the evening, and supporters will now be eager to see more of him as he settles into the team.
Howe also brought on Lewis Hall, Lewis Miley and Joelinton, each of whom helped Newcastle maintain control in different phases of the game. Hall nearly scored, forcing a good stop from Dúbravka.
Miley kept the midfield steady, showing maturity beyond his years. Joelinton had limited involvement but added physical presence in the closing stages.
The win was far from perfect, but it was professional, controlled and deserved. Most importantly, it extended Newcastle’s strong run at home and continued the momentum they are working hard to build as the season progresses.
With key players returning, confidence growing and new signings beginning to settle, the team is slowly rediscovering its rhythm. Newcastle still have work to do, but this match offered plenty of reasons to stay optimistic.
