Burn and Joelinton head Newcastle past Athletic Club

A pair of headers from Dan Burn and Joelinton powered Newcastle United to victory as they defeated Athletic Club in the Champions League.

Burn and Joelinton were among nine players who kept their places following the weekend defeat against West Ham and the experienced duo repaid the faith of head coach Eddie Howe at St James' Park.

It was Burn who opened the scoring, directing a superb bullet header in off the upright from Kieran Trippier's free-kick on 11 minutes.

Injury-hit Athletic did not crumble, however, and left-back Adama Boiro struck the post on the volley while Nick Pope had to be alert at his near post to keep out forward Unai Gomez's shot with his foot.

But Newcastle, who lost Anthony Gordon to a hip issue, doubled their lead after the break.

The recalled Harvey Barnes created space inside the box with some neat footwork before scooping the ball across to the unmarked Joelinton, who headed past Unai Simon.

Athletic rallied again and Pope pushed substitute Nico Serrano's shot behind late on, but Newcastle saw out the game to move above Real Madrid into sixth place in the standings.

Howe's team, in the process, recorded three straight victories in a major European competition for the first time since 2007.

Newcastle analysis: Burn leads by example

Dan Burn has scored nine goals for Newcastle United since joining the club from Brighton in January 2022

You could detect the irritation in Burn's voice when he said "everybody knows we will turn up" after Newcastle did anything but at London Stadium last time out.

But the England defender led by example against Athletic Club as his side responded to their poor showing at the weekend.

Though Burn is not known for scoring many goals, the 33-year-old popped up with one of the most important in Newcastle's recent history when he opened the scoring in the EFL Cup final last March.

And this header brought back memories of that set-piece goal as he again linked up with Trippier, who has set up five of Burn's nine goals for the club.

It was a move straight from the training ground.

Burn initially took up a position outside the box alongside Athletic forward Robert Navarro before making a late run towards the back post just as Trippier took the set-piece.

The 6ft 7in defender managed to avoid being picked up, after Joelinton and Malick Thiaw blocked off Athletic players Daniel Vivian and Jesus Areso, and directed a superb header in off the upright.

No wonder the watching Alan Shearer was on his feet to applaud that one in the directors' box. It was a bullet header Newcastle's record goalscorer would have been proud of.

What next for these teams?

Newcastle travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Brentford on Sunday, 9 November (14:00 GMT). Howe's side then face Manchester City at St James' Park on Saturday, 22 November (17:30 GMT) in their first game after the international break.

Athletic Club host Real Oviedo at San Mames on Sunday, 9 November (13:00 GMT) before going to the Nou Camp to take on Barcelona on Saturday, 22 November (15:15 GMT).