The Magpies said goodbye to 2025 with a victory against Burnley, although it wasn't as easy as it should have been, having romped into a two goal lead inside seven minutes.

But from that moment on Eddie Howe's return to Turf Moor was amazingly uncomfortable and after Josh Laurent pulled one back midway through the first half another unwelcome comeback looked possible.

Thankfully the crossbar and the returning Nick Pope kept out the Clarets and then Martin Dubravka provided an assist for Bruno Guimaraes to seal the win with a well-placed chip into the empty goal.

It was a night when United could easily have scored half a dozen and conceded a similar number as both sides created and missed a boatload of chances with two notable goalline clearances also denying a goal for either side.

Howe made four changes from the side defeated at Old Trafford with Yoane Wissa getting his first league start, Joelinton and Harvey Barnes also restored to the starting line-up along with Pope.

The Magpies got their first goal after just over a minute when Anthony Gordon's deflected cross fell to Joelinton who volleyed it inside the far post with Dubravka well beaten.

Wissa doubled the lead after a goalmouth scramble saw Barnes' shot fumbled and Bruno knock the loose ball to Wissa whose first shot was cleared off the line by Kyle Walker but then turned home by the number nine.

More should have followed but Wissa missed a far post header from just yards out and then Barnes saw Dubravka save when he was through on goal.

At the other end Fabian Schar cleared off the line to prevent a leveller when Marcus Edwards had beaten Pope. This came after Laurent's well struck volley had reduced the deficit and survived a VAR check for offside.

The second half saw the visitors largely penned back in their own half and Pope saved well from Edwards and then Laurent's looping header came back off the bar before Loum Tchaouna headed wide.

Malick Thiaw flicked on a Joelinton header that was goalbound but it was cleared off the line and after a rare piece of flowing play substitute Jacob Murphy missed an open goal, although Wissa had been offside in the build-up.

Burnley kept plugging away into added time but a hopeful ball forward by Sandro Tonali was messed up by Dubravka and Bruno showed composure to find the unguarded goal and secure a vital victory.

The win was more important than the painful performance and it was a result that was a relief for the manager,  players and fans and hopefully a staging post to somewhere.

It took United into the top half of the table, although that will change after Thursday's games.

Full match report to follow.

Team: Pope, L.Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Joelinton (Willock 90+4), Tonali, Guimaraes, Gordon (Ramsey 80), Wissa (Woltemade 80), Barnes (J.Murphy 71).
Subs n/u: Ramsdale, Alabi, A.Murphy, Neave, Shahar.

Booked: Joelinton.

Bruno Guimaraes avoided a booking and the threat of a one game suspension.

Goals: Joelinton 2, Wissa 7, Guimaraes 90+3.

BFC: Dubravka, Walker, Esteve (Humphreys 15), Ekdal, Lucas Pires, Laurent, Florentino (Ndayishimiye 88), Ugochukwu (Barnes 88), Edwards, Broja, Tchaouna (Bruun Larsen 74).
Subs n/u: Weiss, Anthony, Banel, Pimlott, Sonne.

Booked: Walker, Florentino.

Goal: Laurent 23.

Crowd: 21,020. Away fans were moved to the opposite end of the Cricket Field Stand since our last visit with access via a different set of turnstiles.

Eddie Howe said:

"It was a massive win for us. I don't think it really matters in terms of how we did it, we just needed to do it. It was a really strong start from us, in recognition of how important the game was for us.

"I can't praise the players enough for how we battled through. It was never going to be easy tonight. That second half was a massive 45 minutes for us, we needed to get over the line and full credit to the players for how they saw the game out and the character of the group.

"I think we've been close before. In my opinion, we're moving in the right direction in terms of level of performance.

"I think over time, if you continue to play well - I thought Manchester United was a case in point, I don't think we played badly, we had chances to get something from the game but didn't take them - then over time, you will win games with the quality of players we have.

"I think that showed today. We're not at our most confident level at the moment, I think that's obvious. But I do think it's a confidence issue more than anything else and the only way to resolve that is to win games."

Referee: Robert Jones - third Toon posting of the season for the Merseyside-based official, following on from the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth and 1-3 loss at West Ham.

VAR: Nick Hopton.

Stats:

Following a 2-1 home victory earlier in December, Newcastle completed their first PL win double of the season and extended their winning PL run against Burnley to eight games.

Joelinton made his 200th PL appearance for the club.

Being two up inside seven minutes was the fastest 2-0 lead away from home in the Premier League.

NUFC's year ending PL results:

2025/26 Burnley (a) won 3-1 Joelinton, Wissa, Guimaraes
2024/25 Manchester United (a) won 2-0
2023/24 Nottingham Forest (h) lost 1-3
2022/23 Leeds United (h) drew 0-0
2021/22 Manchester United (h) drew 1-1
2020/21 Liverpool (h) drew 0-0
2019/20 Everton (h) lost 1-2
2018/19 Watford (a) drew 1-1
2017/18 Brighton (h) drew 0-0
2015/16 West Brom (a) lost 0-1
2014/15 Everton (h) won 3-2
2013/14 Arsenal (h) lost 0-1
2012/13 Arsenal (a) lost 3-7
2011/12 Liverpool (a) lost 1-3
2010/11 Spurs (a) lost 0-2
2008/09 Liverpool (h) lost 1-5
2007/08 Chelsea (a) lost 1-2
2006/07 Everton (a) lost 0-3
2005/06 Spurs (a) lost 0-2
2004/05 Arsenal (h) lost 0-1
2003/04 Blackburn Rovers (h) lost 0-1
2002/03 Spurs (h) won 2-1
2001/02 Chelsea (h) lost 1-2
2000/01 Manchester United (h) drew 1-1
1999/00 Leicester City (a) won 2-1
1998/99 Liverpool (a) lost 2-4
1997/98 Liverpool (h) lost 1-2
1996/97 Spurs (h) won 7-1
1995/96 Manchester United (a) lost 0-2
1994/95 Norwich City (a) lost 1-2
1993/94 Chelsea (a) lost 0-1

Magpies @ Turf Moor - last 10:

2025/26 Won 3-1 Joelinton, Wissa, Guimaraes (PL)
2023/24 Won 4-1 Wilson, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Isak (PL)
2021/22 Won 2-1 Wilson 2(1pen) (PL)
2020/21 Won 2-1 Murphy, Saint-Maximin (PL)
2019/20 Lost 0-1 (PL)
2018/19 Won 2-1 og(Mee), Clark (PL)
2017/18 Lost 0-1 (PL)
2014/15 Drew 1-1 Cisse (PL)
2000/01 Won 1-0 Cort (FR)
1982/83 Lost 0-1 (D2)

Latest PL results/fixtures (all live on Sky):

Tue 30.12.2025:
Burnley 1-3 Newcastle United
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Everton
West Ham 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa
Manchester United 1-1 Wolves

Thu 01.01.2026:
Crystal Palace v Fulham (5.30pm)
Liverpool v Leeds United (5.30pm)
Brentford v Spurs (8pm)
mackems v Manchester City (8pm)

Premier League:
Turkeys

Manchester United  1  Newcastle  0

Match report

Offer continues:
Veitch book update

FAO anyone who missed out on a copy of Keith Colvin Smith's fine biography of Magpies legend Colin Veitch.

A number of books reserved before Christmas weren't claimed meaning that they are now available to buy.

Originally published at £35, the 200 page hardback book is now on sale for just £10 + delivery*. To reserve copies, email [email protected] asap confirming your postcode.

* due to book size & weight, UK delivery only possible

Had to come to London:
West End Boys

Following a successful run at Newcastle's Theatre Royal - with more dates there next summer - "Gerry & Sewell" are heading to London's West End in January.

Filmed as "Purely Belter", Jamie Eastlake's stage adaptation of Jonathan Tulloch's book, "The Season Ticket" tells the tale of two Toon fans and their quest for their holy grail of Newcastle season tickets, despite being totally skint....

Tickets are on sale now for performances at the Aldwych Theatre between January 13th and 24th 2026, with seat prices starting from just £10 available online here

(FAO anyone buying theatre tickets may wish to note that NUFC are in action on Jan 13th, 18th and 21st).

PS: We had a pair of London theatre tickets up for grabs in a free competition, asking you to predict the final score at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

There were multiple correct entries and we'll publish the winner's name here when known.

Newcastle have reportedly recalled reserve winger Antonio Cordero from his unproductive loan posting at Belgian Pro League KVC Westerlo.

The 19 year-old Spanish youth international joined United from Malaga in the summer and was sent out to Westerlo, only to be restricted to eight substitute outings.

It's now claimed Cordero will make a temporary return to  Spain for the second half of the season, with second tier side Cadiz said to be his next temporary destination.

Daniel Farke's side travel to Tyneside on Wednesday January 7th 2026 for an 8.15pm kick-off live on Sky Sports.

Team: To follow

LUFC: To follow

Referee: Michael Salisbury - first NUFC appointment for the Yorkshire official since he took charge of last April's 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Gallowgate.

VAR: Paul Howard

UK TV: Live on Sky Sports

Overseas TV: to follow

UK Radio: tbc (if any)

Metro: No scheduled disruptions.

Rail: Scheduled disruptions are online here

Stats:

Leeds @ SJP - last 20 visits: