Newcastle United player ratings v Burnley with one 4/10, ‘very good’ 8/10 & ‘lucky’ 6/10

Newcastle United secured just their second Premier League away win of the season with a hard-earned 3-1 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.

On a bitterly cold night in Lancashire, Eddie Howe made four changes from the team he picked to start at Old Trafford on Friday night with Nick Pope, Joelinton, Harvey Barnes and Yoane Wissa coming into the team in place of Aaron Ramsdale, Jacob Ramsey, Jacob Murphy and Nick Woltemmade who all dropped to the bench.

And it was one of those changes in Joelinton that made an immediate impact as he volleyed home a cross by Anthony Gordon past Martin Dubravka and into the net. It was a brilliant finish by the Brazilian who was making his first start since their trip to Leverkusen earlier this month.

They soon doubled their lead, this time through Wissa who, like he did against Fulham on his first start for the club, netted within minutes of starting at Turf Moor with a proper poacher’s effort to pounce on a loose ball on the penalty box.

Hopes of an easy night, though, were banished in the 24th minute when Josh Laurent pulled a goal back for the hosts with a lovely volley. The Magpies, though, will be bitterly disappointed with their inability to clear a long throw in the build-up to the goal.

Wissa should have had a second just moments later, but somehow missed a free header at the back post after a teasing ball from his captain. The visitors were then thankful to Fabian Schar as he cleared a shot from Marcus Edwards off the line after Pope had been beaten.

Here are our player ratings from the first-half of Burnley v Newcastle United

The Magpies would have been content, rather than elated, with their first-half efforts and should have doubled their lead, but Gordon saw an easy opening spurned as he blasted over the bar. Burnley, though, refused to go away and twice saw efforts saved well by Pope in the Magpies goal before rattling the crossbar on the hour mark.

Malick Thiaw almost scored Newcastle United’s third, but his looping header was cleared off the line by the hosts in almost the exact same position that Schar had done so in the first half. Jacob Murphy almost certainly should have put them further ahead just a few minutes later but he missed an easy chance from close range.

Finally, Howe’s side did put the game beyond doubt as Guimaraes lobbed Dubravka from range after a collision between the Slovakian and Woltemade had seen the ball fall kindly to the Brazilian.

Here are our Newcastle United player ratings from their clash with Burnley at Turf Moor:

Newcastle United player ratings v Burnley

Nick Pope - 8

Returned to the starting XI against his former club. Had nothing to do in the first quarter of the game before picking the ball out of his net as Laurent’s volley flashed past him. Got down well to deny Loume Tchaouna from equalising in the 55th minute and then again five minutes later as Edwards found space beyond Hall. A very good display on his return to Turf Moor.

Lewis Miley - 7

Looked assured once again in a role that he is getting better in with every game that passes. Offered some tidy play going forward but was generally just very solid.

Malick Thiaw - 6

A couple of shaky moments on the ball but largely dealt well with the physicality of Armando Broja. Unfortunate to have a header cleared off the line.

Fabian Schar - 6

Solid performance in the first period from the former Swiss international. DId brilliantly to block a shot on the line. Looked a little ragged in the second half as Broja began to throw his weight around.

Lewis Hall - 6

Lost a couple of one-on-one battles but was a threat going forward. Not as dominant as he was on Boxing Day, but still a decent performance. Took a couple of knocks either side of half time and got caught under the ball and allowed Edwards a chance on goal that Pope saved.

Bruno Guimaraes - 7

Did really well to dig out a chance for Wissa to net. Always positive on the ball, although a couple of wayward passes prevented promising looking breaks.Always demanded the ball and worked hard for his teammates. Put his goal away brilliantly.

Sandro Tonali - 5

Lacked influence in the game going forward, but was an ever-lasting battery when required defensively. Not a performance that will silence the doubters after a run of underwhelming outings.

Joelinton - 6

Tucked home his opening goal superbly as he gave Dubravka absolutely no chance. Won the ball back superbly for Wissa’s goal. Booked just before the half hour mark following some pushing and shoving with Kyle Walker. Lucky to not be shown a second yellow after tripping Broja. Replaced by Joe Willock in stoppage time.

Harvey Barnes - 5

Had a couple of nice touches but struggled a little to get into the game, particularly in front of goal. Saw an effort saved by Dubravka when he probably should have scored. Replaced in the 73rd minute after a very quiet second half. Not his finest evening.

Yoane Wissa - 6

Yet again scored within minutes of a start and, like his goal against Fulham, was in the right place at the right time to prod home from close range. Missed a golden opportunity to get a second with a free header at the back post. Slightly anonymous in the second half. Lasted 80 minutes before being replaced by Woltemade.

Anthony Gordon - 4

Sublime work to twist his man inside and out before delivering the cross for Joelinton’s opener. Very lively in the opening stages both in and out of possession and it was his closing down which helped fashion an opening for their second goal. Lost the ball a few times that put his team under pressure and completely lost Laurent for Burnley’s equaliser. Should have scored in the 56th minute but blasted an easy chance over the bar. Body language looked off throughout a disappointing evening. Replaced by Ramsey in the 80th minute.

SUB: Jacob Murphy - 5

Replaced Barnes in the 73rd minute. Should have scored in the 79th minute but his shot went over the bar. His blushes may have been saved by VAR even if it had gone in, but a poor miss nonetheless.

SUB: Nick Woltemade - N/A

Came on for Wissa in the 80th minute.

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SUB: Jacob Ramsey - N/A

Replaced Gordon with ten minutes left to play.

SUB: Joe Willock - N/A

Came on for Joelinton in stoppage time.

Unused substitutes: Aaron Ramsdale, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave, Sam Alabi

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