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Dan Burn stars as Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0

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1 month ago

November 6, 2025

Dan Burn’s powerful header and Joelinton’s strike earned Newcastle a 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Bilbao at St James’ Park

Newcastle United produced an assured display at St James’ Park as Dan Burn’s emphatic header and Joelinton’s second-half strike secured a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Also read: Lamine Yamal inspires Barcelona in Brugge thriller

The victory marked Newcastle’s third successive win in Europe and their fifth straight home victory in all competitions, a timely response after Sunday’s disappointing 3-1 Premier League defeat at West Ham.

Despite their league struggles, Eddie Howe’s side are flourishing on the continental stage, having won three of their opening four Champions League fixtures, with their only setback coming against Barcelona in the opener.

Ahead of away trips to Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen, Newcastle now sit sixth in the league phase table and remain firmly in contention for an automatic place in the last 16.

Defender Dan Burn had declared before the game that “everybody knows we will turn up” against Bilbao — and he backed up his words in style.

In the 11th minute, Kieran Trippier’s perfectly delivered free-kick found Burn unmarked in the box, and the centre-back powered a curling header into the far corner from ten yards — a finish that even club legend Alan Shearer would have admired.

Bilbao, missing key attackers Inaki and Nico Williams, struggled to threaten but briefly rallied when Unai Gomez’s header was saved by Nick Pope, before Gomez and Adama Boiro both struck the woodwork in quick succession.

Newcastle responded strongly, with Nick Woltemade heading narrowly wide from Harvey Barnes’ teasing cross.

However, Howe’s side were dealt a setback when Anthony Gordon limped off with a hip injury before half-time.

The Magpies doubled their advantage shortly after the restart. Barnes once again found space on the left and clipped a cross into the six-yard box, where Joelinton rose highest to nod home for his first goal in nine matches.

Bilbao substitute Nico Serrano almost pulled one back with a thunderous 25-yard effort, but Pope reacted sharply to tip the ball over and preserve his clean sheet.

Also read: Lamine Yamal inspires Barcelona in Brugge thriller

The result ensured Newcastle maintained their impressive European form and offered a welcome morale boost ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Brentford.

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