Newcastle moved into the highest eight of the Champions League with a vital 3-0 win towards PSV Eindhoven, teeing up a blockbuster conflict towards reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain to determine their destiny of their last sport.
The Magpies will journey to the Parc des Princes on January 28, whereas sitting degree on factors with the reigning champions of Europe in seventh and sixth respectively, as they appear to keep away from the play-offs and safe their place within the final 16.
Victory confirmed their place within the play-offs on the very least however Eddie Howe, after already tasting victory towards PSG in 2023, can be hoping for extra.
A second triumph towards the Ligue 1 giants would safe their spot within the subsequent spherical, though a draw may very well be sufficient given their superior purpose distinction over these round them.
Newcastle had been exterior the highest eight heading into the fixture however shortly moved up the desk with a cushty lead after two main errors from the Eredivisie league leaders throughout the first half hour.
Goalkeeper Matej Kovar cleared the ball on to Bruno Guimaraes earlier than compatriot Joelinton selflessly squared the ball to Yoane Wissa, permitting him to attain simply eight minutes into his first begin within the Champions League.
Wissa celebrates after opening the scoring
Yarek Gasiorowski was the subsequent offender when his underhit backpass was pounced upon by Wissa in a replication of the primary purpose. Anthony Gordon reaped the rewards on this event, tapping into an empty internet to attain his sixth of the competitors.
Harvey Barnes rounded the night off with a well-taken strike into the underside nook after the break however the temper can be dampened by an damage to captain Guimaraes, who was compelled off within the first half after touchdown awkwardly on his ankle.
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes went off injured in the course of the 3-0 win towards PSV
Lewis Miley changed him within the forty eighth minute and the 19-year-old homegrown expertise would go on to put on the armband within the latter phases of the sport, including to the temper in what was a particular night time at St James’ Park.
Consideration will undoubtedly change to the blockbuster conflict towards PSG on the finish of the month however within the fast future, Howe might want to navigate a troublesome take a look at towards Aston Villa, stay on Sky Sports activities, this Sunday. Probably with out their chief.
Howe: Video games like this are why Wissa joined
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe talking to TNT Sports activities:
“Really good performance from us. A difficult opponent, tactically, they are tough to play against.
“We had been rewarded with some actually good targets right now. Actually good night time for Yoane Wissa and I’m actually happy for him. Partially, he got here to this membership for nights like right now.
“The players embraced the challenge and I thought it was the best individual performances from a lot of the players for a while.
“Plenty of the gamers have excelled on this competitors this 12 months and Anthony Gordon is a type of.”
On facing PSG in the final game: “It’s what now we have to attempt to do. One step at a time, it’s Aston Villa first. The Premier League is so vital and a extremely robust sport.”
Sunday twenty fifth January 1:00pm
Kick off 2:00pm
Wissa on his ‘particular’ first begin in Champions League
Newcastle ahead Yoane Wissa talking to TNT Sports activities:
“It was a good night and we know the target was to win today. For me, it’s a special night. Scoring and assisting, I’m really pleased with that.
“It has been good. They had been a tough opponent and play good soccer. We scored from two errors with excessive strain.
“They like to play and the main thing was to press them high, we did it well. Really pleased with the hard work today.”
On dealing with reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain of their last sport of the league part to find out their destiny, he added: “They are the best team in Europe.
“Now we concentrate on Sunday [vs Villa]. We’d like plenty of perception and we must be sturdy mentally.
“It is not going to be easy, we need to believe we can definitely beat them.”
Scary run on the horizon for Newcastle – they want Guimaraes
Sky Sports activities’ Patrick Rowe:
It was a particular night at St James’ Park as an electrical ambiance spurred Newcastle on to safe a vital win to spice up their probabilities of computerized qualification within the Champions League.
Nonetheless, the damage to Bruno Guimaraes will depart a bitter style within the mouth of Eddie Howe – and you can sense it in his press convention.
After confirming the ankle drawback for his captain and revealing swelling had already appeared, Howe admitted it was a “worry” for the membership.
That could be understating it. Newcastle’s subsequent 4 video games include Aston Villa, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis. The primary sport is the one one they’ll play at house, stay on Sky Sports activities this Sunday.
Guimaraes has stepped up for his facet repeatedly all through the present marketing campaign and the considered heading into these fixtures with out their captain and star participant is a worrying one.
“We hope it is not serious,” Howe added. “We will do everything we can to get him fit as quickly as possible.”
Lewis Miley changed him on the night and went on to put on the armband, however asking him to fill the void Guimaraes’ potential absence leaves is an not possible activity.
