Post by : Meena Ariff

Newcastle secured their third straight Champions League victory as Dan Burn’s towering header set up a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at St James’ Park on Wednesday. Burn struck in the opening half and Joelinton added a second after the break, giving Newcastle a fifth successive home triumph across all competitions.

The Magpies had suffered a 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Sunday that left them 13th in the Premier League and prompted internal reflection. Yet Eddie Howe’s side have claimed three wins from four Champions League fixtures so far, their only reverse coming in the opening match against Barcelona.

Facing away trips to Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen next, Newcastle sit sixth in their group and are well-positioned to finish in the top eight, a placing that secures automatic qualification for the knockout stage. Howe hopes the club’s continental form can inject momentum into their Premier League campaign ahead of Sunday’s trip to Brentford.

“Really pleased with today. It was an important response to West Ham. I don’t think it was us at our best but we’re in a good position now in this competition,” Howe said, praising Burn’s headed goal and likening it to the defender’s strike in last season’s League Cup final against Liverpool.

Burn had signalled the team’s intent before kickoff, saying “everybody knows we will turn up” against Bilbao. He delivered on that promise in the 11th minute, meeting Kieran Trippier’s free-kick with a precise header that curled into the far corner from around 10 yards out.

Bilbao responded with a brief spell of pressure — Unai Gomez forced a low effort close to the near post and Adama Boiro rattled the woodwork from distance. Newcastle missed an opportunity to extend their advantage when Nick Woltemade’s header from Harvey Barnes’ cross failed to find the target.

The Magpies also endured a blow when winger Anthony Gordon was substituted late in the first half due to a recurring hip problem. Despite that, Newcastle doubled their lead in the 49th minute when Barnes created space on the left and delivered a measured cross for Joelinton, who powered a header past Unai Simon for his first goal in nine games.

The result underlined Newcastle’s growing confidence in Europe despite inconsistent domestic displays and sets up important fixtures ahead in both competitions.

#Global News #Entertainment News