After a recent run of poor performances, and a heap of criticism being directed Steve Bruce’s way across the last few weeks over his tactical approach, Burnley was a great chance for him to prove that criticism wrong with a strong, well organised performance.
Bruce picked a team that did not feature his captain Jamaal Lascelles at the centre of defence, as he was replaced by Fabian Schar who was returning after a lengthy spell out with a shoulder injury.
The Magpies’ manager also looked to have changed his tactical approach by dropping Andy Carroll to the bench, insinuating that his side would play less of the direct style that he had been facing criticism for, and instead attempt more of a fluid but structured approach to the game, possibly because of Burnley’s physical dynamic.
The game began with Newcastle on the front foot from early on, which they had failed to do in their previous performances. Callum Wilson looked sharp from the off, creating early chances with his pace and power terrorising the Burnley back four and goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Wilson looked to capitalise on a sloppy touch from Pope in the early minutes of the first half, however the ‘keepers blushes were spared as his kick deflected off Wilson but also wide of the post, however this high pressure would set the tone for the rest of the Newcastle performance.
It was Wilson again who caused the Clarets back line problems after a fantastic long ball by Jonjo Shelvey saw the striker beat the defence and get to the ball before the onrushing Pope, however his touch took him too far wide of the goal and allowed time for defenders to retreat and end the threat.
Unsurprisingly, Wilson then played a big part in the leadup to the Toon’s opener, bullying defender George Long, and laying the ball to Saint-Maximin who then supplied the magic.
Picking the ball up around the halfway line and running directly towards the Burnley defence. Once he was met with opposition on the edge of their penalty area, he faked one way, and then the other losing three or four defenders in the process and giving himself the room to power the ball into the bottom right corner of Pope’s goal, who was left with no chance.
And from then on for the rest of the half Newcastle continued to control the game, limiting Dyche’s men to scrappy half attempts, frustrating Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood due to the rigorous, robust structure that Bruce had set the back four up with.
However, after the half time break, the Clarets looked to have some renewed hope, with them looking to play higher up the pitch and force the Toon back four deeper and deeper with Barnes and Wood as focal points.
And the two linked up to create their best chance of the game in around the 60th minute, as Barnes drilled a cross onto the head of Wood who was seeking for the right side of Karl Darlow’s net, however the ‘keeper was more than equal to it, and managed to push the attempt round the post for a corner.
And it would be from a corner where Burnley would make their breakthrough with an Ashley Westwood strike. Westwood took the corner that was half cleared, with the second ball falling to Josh Brownhill, who slid the ball into the path of former Sunderland man Phil Bardsley.
Bardsley then swung in a ball that was headed away but only into the path of Westwood who hit a sweet low volley into the bottom corner of Darlow’s goal and got Burnley right back into the game on the 60-minute mark.
Although, it would not take long for Newcastle to regain their lead coming through another piece of magic of star man Saint-Maximin after receiving the ball from full back Emil Kraft, then proceeding to embarrass defender Charlie Taylor for pace and subsequently play a dangerous low cross to striker Wilson who tapped the ball home for his 3rd goal in 4 games.
This goal looked to halt the progress made by the Dyche’s men and saw Bruce’s side recapture their first half form by taking control of the game once more.
The game was won for Newcastle however in the 77th minute after Pope mis controlled a back pass into the path of substitute Ryan Fraser, who got to the ball before Pope and was brough down, earning Newcastle a penalty, and gave Wilson a chance to grab his second of the game.
Which he did, powering the ball down the centre of the goal to seal a 4th goal in as many games for the new man on Tyneside, giving fans great optimism for what they can see from him for the rest of the season.
From then on in the game was won and appeared to fizzle out in the final 15 minutes, with not many chances coming allowing Newcastle to stroll to a relatively comfortable victory.
For Steve Bruce a performance like this was exactly what was needed after the recent tactical criticism, as it displayed a well structured defensive display, and a form of identity in an attacking sense that looked to also be lacking when the likes of Carroll would start alongside Wilson.
£40 million-man Joelinton also looks to be thriving in his new role, leaving him to be freer and not have the pressure of playing in the number nine position, which Wilson looks to also be relishing his chance in.
However, for Sean Dyche, his public disagreements with the board over a lack of backing and transfers look to have been right, as his side did not look to have a plan B in the game after their main tactical approach was constantly thwarted by Newcastle’s back line.
With 0 points from three games Dyche will have to look to pick points up soon to avoid early talk of a relegation battle, however there is no doubt that the squad is good enough to stay up and fight for top 10, as was seen last season.