Newcastle United returned to winning ways in the titleholders League as Dan Burn’s title proved decisive in a 2- 0 palm over Athletic Bilbao at St James’ Park.
The 33- time-old protector jounced in a stunning 11th-nanosecond nature, before Joelinton doubled the lead beforehand in the alternate half. The palm marked Newcastle’s third successive success in Europe, bolstering their qualification prospects.
“Dan Burn produced a header of brutal beauty as Newcastle eased to a 2-0 Champions League victory over Athletic Bilbao on a night when he had urged the Magpies to remember how to win ugly.”
It was the response Eddie Howe demanded after Sunday’s disappointing 3- 1 defeat at West Ham. While the match was scrappy at times, Newcastle proved the superior side overall.
Bilbao began strongly, exploiting early lapses in possession. Their first notable chance came when Unai Gomez met Alex Berenguer’s corner but saw his header comfortably saved by Nick Pope.
Newcastle nearly took the lead on nine minute when Joelinton raced onto Malick Thiaw’s pass, beat Dani Vivian, and fired past Unai Simon, only for a marginal offside call to rule it out.
That Dan Burn header @NUFC pic.twitter.com/F2y2galxeU
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 5, 2025
Two minutes later, Burn made no mistake. Unmarked at the near post, he met Kieran Trippier’s free-kick with a thunderous header that crashed in off the far post, sending St James’ Park into raptures.
Bilbao responded with pace, Berenguer proving a constant threat down the left. Pope was forced into action in the 18th minute to block Gomez’s shot following a midfield turnover.
Seconds later, Adama Boiro rattled the right post after a Berenguer corner, keeping Newcastle United on edge.
The Babblers gradually set up meter, combining protective reliability with sharper attacking movements. Joelinton came near again before halftime, only to be denied by Simon after running onto Burn’s cleverly timed launched pass.
Four minutes after the break, Joelinton made up for it. Barnes’ blocked shot fell to the Brazilian striker, who headed firmly past Simon to seal the win.
“However, the Brazilian made amends within four minutes of the restart when he headed firmly past Simon at his near post from Barnes’ cross after the wide-man’s initial shot had been blocked.”
Newcastle maintained control, with Pope saving twice from substitute Nico Serrano to preserve a clean sheet. Burn also continued to threaten from set-pieces, turning a Trippier corner and running onto a Guimaraes pass, though both efforts were off-target.
By the final whistle, Newcastle had asserted dominance, blending grit and precision. A night defined by a Dan Burn header had turned European pressure into a statement of intent.
