Newcastle Champions League hopes revived after dominant win over Athletic Bilbao
Newcastle Champions League hopes got a timely lift as Eddie Howe’s men powered past Athletic Bilbao with a performance that mixed resilience and precision. The 2-0 victory at St James’ Park was built on set-piece mastery and a much-needed show of character after last weekend’s stumble against West Ham. For fans looking to back their match picks, our expert Champions League Predictions might offer extra insight into how the next European nights could unfold.
- Dan Burn and Joelinton scored key headers in Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
- The result strengthens Newcastle’s position in Europe after a shaky domestic showing.
- Eddie Howe praised the team’s mentality and response following the West Ham defeat.
- Set-piece strength once again proved decisive for the Magpies at St James’ Park.
Newcastle started fast, sensing the home crowd’s need for reassurance. It didn’t take long. Dan Burn, towering and impossible to ignore, found space at the far post and guided a header past the helpless keeper inside eleven minutes. You could almost hear the sigh of relief around St James’. That early goal set the tone for a night when Newcastle rediscovered the sharpness that had gone missing in London.
Eddie Howe’s men pressed with energy, but this wasn’t the chaotic, high-risk Newcastle of old. It was disciplined, deliberate football. Kieran Trippier, back from illness, was instrumental again, delivering inch-perfect balls from the right and marshalling the team’s tempo. “We navigated today really well,” Howe said afterward. “Our psychology was really good after the weekend.” He wasn’t wrong. This felt like a team that had finally steadied itself.
Joelinton’s header early in the second half sealed it. Another set-piece, another moment of poor Bilbao marking, another reminder that Premier League physicality can be a brutal weapon in Europe. From there, Newcastle managed the game, never truly troubled despite a couple of half-chances from Unai Gómez and Adama Boiro. The Magpies looked comfortable, almost too comfortable at times, but after the West Ham defeat, no one at St James’ was complaining.
Still, consistency remains the real challenge. Can they carry this momentum into the weekend at Brentford and beyond? That’s the question that lingers. For now, though, this was a night that restored belief and showed that Newcastle Champions League hopes are very much alive and kicking.
Newcastle United continued their impressive Champions League run, securing a third consecutive victory to equal their longest winning streak in the competition. Eddie Howe praised his team’s strong response after the West Ham defeat, highlighting the importance of consistency and teamwork. Dan Burn’s powerful header and Joelinton’s goal showcased the club’s attacking depth and set-piece precision. Source: BBC Sport.
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