Welcome to the preview of Newcastle v Burnley.
Saturday, December 6 – Kick-off 3:00 PM.
Newcastle will be hoping to put the disappointment of a late equalizer against Spurs behind them this weekend and build on a fine home record for the season as they host Burnley in a rare non-televised 3pm kick-off.
Form
Newcastle have won three, drawn one and lost two of their past six games. Wins came against Fulham, Man City and Everton, while a draw against Spurs came in desperately disappointing fashion. We lost to Brentford and West Ham despite taking the lead in both games. We have scored twelve goals and conceded eleven in this series. With the ten points won we are twelfth in the league and with a win we could move into the top half of the rankings.
Burnley are going through a very difficult time at the moment. They have lost their last five league games in a row since beating Wolves at the end of October. There have been losses against Crystal Palace, Brentford, Chelsea, West Ham and Arsenal. They scored six goals in these matches and conceded thirteen. They are in second place in the league, but a win could see them rise to eighteenth.
Last time out
The Toon hosted Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening and were left devastated by the loss of two points. A completely dominant performance saw Joelinton hit the post in the first half and the breakthrough finally came with just twenty minutes to go when Bruno netted the opener. Spurs equalized soon afterwards, but it looked like Newcastle’s attacking performance had collected the three points it deserved when Gordon gave away an eighty-sixth minute penalty. Unfortunately, Spurs scored their second equalizer five minutes into stoppage time to take a share of the spoils and leave St James’ Park with a completely unearned point.
Burnley played Crystal Palace at home on Wednesday evening and found themselves desperately unlucky to be on the receiving end of a 1-0 defeat. The Clarets hit the crossbar and had one cleared off the line but could not find the net and, like Newcastle, suffered the consequences for failing to convert their dominance into goals.
State attack!
-Newcastle have won four of their past five home league meetings with Burnley, while drawing the other.
-The Toon have never lost a home game in the Premier League with Burnley.
-Burnley haven’t won at St James’ Park in the League since 1976, but only knocked us out of the League Cup on penalties in 2021.
Memorable match
In February 2019, Rafa Benitez did his best to save the Toon from a relegation dogfight. A midweek visit from Burnley provided the perfect opportunity to move up the table and two first-half goals set the tone for a brilliant win. New signing Almiron was at the heart of it all and had already shot wide before Fabian Schar opened the scoring with an incredible strike from miles out, leaving the keeper absolutely no chance as he flew in off the post. Things would get even better shortly afterwards when Matt Ritchie crossed for Sean Longstaff to score his first for the club and double the lead. Burnley desperately tried to claw their way back into the match but struggled to convert their chances and a penalty case was dismissed on a frustrating night for the Clarets as Rafa came up with another three points to survive in the Premier League. Final score Newcastle 2-0 Burnley.
Played for both
David Edgar Didn’t play often for Newcastle, but his highlight in a black and white shirt was outstanding. As an inexperienced Toon team took on Man United for the title on New Year’s Day, it looked like our dominant first-half display had been in vain when James Milner’s superb opener was canceled out by Paul Scholes, who added another just after half-time. With 15 minutes to go, Edgar took a touch before firing a fine effort into the Gallowgate End to mark his debut in exceptional fashion. He played nineteen times for the Toon and scored two goals before signing for Burnley in 2009. He spent four years with the Clarets, making ninety-nine appearances and scoring four goals.
Joey Barton signed for Sam Allardyce in 2007 and managed to break his foot on his debut in a friendly away to Carlisle. The next four years brought drama, controversy, a relegation, a spell in prison and even the odd football breakout! With Joey Barton around it was never boring. He played eighty-one league matches for the Toon and scored seven goals, but that doesn’t even begin to tell the intriguing story of his time at NUFC. There are probably enough anecdotes to write a book! The highlight of his time on Tyneside came during an inspiring second-half performance in a dazzling 4-4 draw against Arsenal, when Toon recovered from 0-4 down at half-time, thanks in part to two penalty kick clearances from Barton and his red carding of an Arsenal player. There are too many to mention, but a dressing room clash with a certain Mr Shearer after he was shown a red card against Liverpool hardly endeared him to the traveling Toon Army. He enjoyed spells at Queens Park Rangers and Marseille before signing for Burnley and helping them gain promotion to the Premier League.
Kieran Trippier signed for Eddie Howe while at Burnley in 2011, initially on loan, before signing permanently in 2012. He spent four seasons in a highly successful spell with the Clarets. He was named their Player of the Season for 2011/12 and was part of the Championship team of the season for the next two years as Burnley were promoted in 2014. He signed for Tottenham in 2015 and then moved on to Atletico Madrid, before rejoining Eddie Howe at the Toon in 2022 as our first major signing since the takeover. He has been an integral part of our recent success in avoiding relegation, qualifying for the Champions League twice and winning the League Cup.
Managers
Eddie Howe after a 2-2 draw at home to Spurs:
“I don’t think we were at our best today, but we fought our way into a position we wanted with a few minutes to go and we just couldn’t defend that corner at the end. We’re disappointed with the first goal, it was a standard cross and we didn’t defend it well enough. Secondly, we didn’t handle the first contact and couldn’t stop the bicycle kick. Somehow it went in. It’s painful for us to take. A disappointing feeling because we’ve worked so hard. Bruno’s goal was excellent He made a difference, his energy, enthusiasm and passion always stood out. That’s what makes football so dramatic and that’s why we’re all obsessed with it.
Scott Parker after a 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace:
“Yes, it’s a tough one in terms of the result. But I mean, my general feeling is that for large parts of this game, in terms of the way we went about it, I thought we did everything we needed to. But it’s the small margins that probably defined the game in terms of execution, while Jacob’s shot didn’t go our way. I asked the team tonight. In this situation, in a young team, I can sometimes see the burden and the weight on the shoulders. A group of players who might do things experiencing it for the first time, that thing is adversity, that thing is not being successful. I asked them to be brave and courageous tonight and they all were.
Good cause
The Newcastle United Fan Food Bank will once again be raising money across the Gallowgate, gratefully receiving food, cash and toiletries for those in need. Of particular importance are non-perishable food and drink items (such as noodles, pasta, rice, canned food, soup, cereal, liquor, long-life milk, etc.) as well as toiletries such as shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste and sanitary products. Please give what you can, any donation is greatly appreciated.
For more information and/or to donate online, visit HERE.
Prediction
Make no mistake, this is a huge game for the Toon, who were looking for good value for their third successive League win until a late, late thumping against Spurs in midweek. It is imperative that we continue the momentum that has been building, after good performances against Man City, Everton and Spurs. We have been brilliant at home this season and I look forward to more of the same this weekend. Newcastle 2-0 Burnley
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