A fantastic strike from Fabian Schar and Sean Longstaff's first league goal for the club ensured in-form Newcastle continued their winning ways in the Premier League on Tuesday evening as they beat Burnley 2-0.
Schar broke the deadlock in stunning fashion with a rocket from 25 yards and local boy Longstaff volleyed Newcastle into a two-goal lead before the interval.
Burnley had a strong case for a penalty waved away by Craig Pawson when Johann Berg Gudmundsson was brought down by Matt Ritchie, and on the stroke of half-time James Tarkowski spurned a chance from just three yards out.
Sean Longstaff of Newcastle celebrates scoring the second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley FC at St. James Park on February 26, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
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Sean Dyche's side came into the game full of confidence having stunned Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday to extend their unbeaten run to eight games, but they were too passive and predictable and created nothing of note after the restart.
With their fourth consecutive victory at home, Newcastle move up to 13th, seven points clear of the danger zone. Burnley are now 15th and have a six-point cushion over 18th-placed Southampton.
TALKING POINT - Resurgent Newcastle continue their winning ways
Taking inspiration from last season's late surge, Newcastle are hitting their peak earlier this term. Reinvigorated after their famous victory over Manchester City in January, Rafa Benitez's side have now picked up nine points from a possible 15. The Spaniard believes 38 points is enough for survival this season and Newcastle are only seven points short of that target now. With some more winnable games on the horizon, they could be safe before long.
Rafael Benítez the head coach / manager of Newcastle United applauds the fans at full time during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley FC at St. James Park on February 26, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
With record-transfer signing Miguel Almiron beginning to settle, Newcastle are now playing with swagger and their crisp football was too much for a Burnley side carrying the appearance of a hangover, after their heroics against Tottenham only three days earlier.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Fabian Schar (Newcastle)
Fifty-yard passes, 25-yard goals and with the ability to carry the ball up the pitch with beautiful close control, the Swiss is much more than just a defender. Credit must go to Almiron as well. The Paraguay international was excellent and his presence gives Newcastle a new dimension - to play on the counter with confidence.
Fabian Schar of Newcastle United (05) celebrates after he scored the opening goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley FC at St. James Park on February 26, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Newcastle: Dubravka 7, Ritchie 7, Schar 9, Lascelles 8, Lejeune 7, Manquillo 7, Hayden 7, Longstaff 8, Almiron 8, Perez 7, Rondon 6. Subs: Dummett N/A, Diame N/A, Joselu N/A.
Burnley: Heaton 6, Taylor 7, Tarkowski 4, Mee 5, Bardsley 5, Cork 5, Hendrick 5, Gudmundsson 5, McNeil 4, Wood 4 Barnes 4. Subs: Brady 5, Crouch 4, Vydra N/A.
KEY MOMENTS
24' - GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 Burnley: Oh my, what a brilliant hit by Schar! Newcastle are ahead! The Swiss catches his shot as clean as you like from 25 yards and the ball strikes the woodwork before it crosses the line. Heaton stood no chance.
Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley FC at St. James Park on February 26, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
38' - GOAL! Newcastle 2-0 Burnley: Local boy Longstaff scores his first goal for Newcastle! Burnley fail to deal with Ritchie's cross from the left, the half-clearance falls kindly for Longstaff who keeps his composure and drills a volley past Heaton.
41'- NO PENALTY! Ritchie appears to catch Gudmundsson inside the box. Burnley appeal for a penalty. It's not given.
44' - WHAT A MISS! Burnley should have one back! A free-kick is pumped into the Newcastle box, it's flicked into the path of Tarkowski but, three yards out, the defender inexplicably lifts it over the bar.
KEY STATS
- Aged 21 years and 119 days, Sean Longstaff is the youngest player to score for Newcastle in the Premier League since Rolando Aarons in May 2016 (20y 181d v Spurs).
- Fabian Schar's goal was Newcastle's first to be scored from outside the box in this season's Premier League, with Ayoze Perez the last to score from outside the box for the Magpies in the competition (in April 2018 against Leicester City).
- Newcastle completed the league double over Burnley for the first time since the 1954-55 season.
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