Newcastle v Athletic Club - UEFA Champions League result as Dan Burn and Joelinton headers put Magpies up into top eight

Dan Burn scored an outstanding curling header to help Newcastle United beat an injury-hit Athletic Club 2-0 and move into the top eight of the UEFA Champions League.

Burn finished off a set-piece routine 11 minutes into the clash at St James' Park, connecting to Kieran Trippier's cross and bending it into the far corner, off the post from 15 yards out.

Athletic Club were missing several key players through injury and struggled to make their mark, coming closest midway into the first half when Adama Boiro struck the post with a long-range volley.

Newcastle would have been disappointed to go into half-time only 1-0 up, but Joelinton doubled their advantage four minutes into the second half, heading home Harvey Barnes' cross.

Both sides looked happy to see the match out after Joelinton had effectively put the game to bed, with Eddie Howe using the chance to give Lewis Hall his first minutes in over a month, while Athletic Club brought on two debutants.

The only blip on an otherwise perfect night for the Magpies was an injury to Anthony Gordon, who limped off in the first half with what looked to be a hip injury.

Newcastle sit sixth in the league phase table at the halfway stage, with three wins from four, and look well-placed to book automatic qualification to the round-of-16.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking to TNT Sports: "It was an important response to West Ham. We had a really quick turnaround and we prioritised a few things in our performance.

"I don't think it was us at our best, but we're in a good position now in this competition.

On Burn's header: "It was very reminiscent of the cup final, an incredible header from distance, and he arrowed it into the corner. Yes, it was a training ground move - well done to all the coaches involved in that.

On Joelinton's goal: "He needs to score. He's always done that, scorer of big goals for us. We've worked a lot in the last few weeks on him arriving late in the box and using his aerial strength. I was really pleased with that goal because we need our No. 8s to chip in with more goals and that's a good start for him.

"The interesting thing now is we go away in the Champions League so certainly we need to address that form in all competitions. Our next game, Marseille, will be incredibly difficult but a great test for us."

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes speaking to TNT Sports: "I think we were not at our best but we get the result. We were consistent - I love the way we play today.

On starting tonight after suffering with illness recently: "Tough game. For me it was like playing with 10 kilos holding me back. I always try to give my best. I start to feel ill before we played West Ham and got worse after the game.

On Burn: "What a guy, love him. He deserves the goal, I think it was his first this season. We were joking about when he would score. It was a key moment so pleased for him. Dan Burn is unbelievable. My first thought he was trying to pass but what a goal."

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given speaking on TNT Sports: "It felt relatively comfortable for a Champions League tonight. I was quietly confident they'd get the job done. They're so good at home.

"It's the pick me up they needed and Eddie Howe needed. It's job well done tonight."

Joe Cole speaking on TNT Sports: "It's right up there as one of the best atmospheres in the Champions League. It's intimidating for opposition fans.

"They've been brilliant, near on faultless in the campaign so far, scoring goals, looking strong. They brushed aside Athletic. I know they had injuries but it's the perfect tonic for Newcastle. It must be frustrating for Eddie.

"That West Ham performance is the anomaly. Tonight they were strong, they were brave and could have scored more.

"Nobody will want to play Newcastle over two legs in the knockout stages. They're a huge, physical team, good on set-pieces, and a really tricky away game for anybody."

Sandro Tonali has taken player of the match. He did play well, but Dan Burn has been snubbed there. And that's not just me speaking with my left back bias. Here is the big man:

Newcastle goalscorer Dan Burn speaking to TNT Sports: "We wanted to respond to the weekend's performance. I thought we played well and controlled large parts of it. Happy with the three points.

On his curling header to give his side the lead: "I've been due one for a while and the ball came in and I decided I'm gong to head it. Luckily it went into the far corner.

"We knew we had a bit of space at the far post. Some nights, one in a hundred go in.

"They caused a few problems in the first half, but I'm buzzing for [Joelinton]. He's been due a goal so I'm happy for him."

It has been all Athletic in the closing stages. Boiro moves well to get space in the left half-space but Hierro puts his shot straight at Pope.

The Magpies are playing with fire(works) as they try and pass round the back, but Botman's diving header clears the danger.

And that will be that! A very comfortable match for Newcastle against a depleted Athletic Club side but they are now in the top eight at the halfway stage of the Champions League.

Two headers, a worldie from Dan Burn, and a more routine one from Joelinton, have sealed all three points for Eddie Howe's side.

There are going to be five minutes of added time.

This match is petering out.

Hierro gets in behind but the angle is always tightening and Pope keeps him out. Thiaw, who has had another very solid match at the back, did well to force him out wide.

Serrano now shoots and wins a corner for the visitors, but Pope punches the second ball clear.

He has done some damage in the process though, as both Vivian and Tonali are clutching their heads.

Joe Hart on Jacob Murphy, live on TNT Sports: "You feel like he's always pushing himself. He never looks, or probably feels, like he's an established starter in the Newcastle 11, even though he starts a lot of games.

"But he's just so consistent, and really reads strikers well. He's a safe bet for Eddie Howe."

Jacob Murphy gets forward on the right flank, and the flag stays down. He squares it to the far post where Woltemade and Elanga are waiting, but the former puts the latter off, who skies his shot.

And that will be that for Woltemade, who is replaced by Jacob Ramsey, who is yet to really impress since joining from Aston Villa this summer.

And that will be Unai Gomez's last action. He and Areso are replaced by Asier Hierro, another debutant, and Andoni Gorosabel.

Anthony Elanga tries to use his considerable pace to keep a ball forward in play, but even he can't get there in time.

Ten minutes to go.

After the fireworks early on in the half, this match is starting to burn out. No plots from Athletic Club to blow this Newcastle lead up.

Botman needs to do really well to prevent a chipped through ball finding Unai Gomez who would have been in on goal.

Apparently, Athletic Club winger had a piece of glass in his foot for months before he realised. That's not why he is missing tonight though, he has an adductor injury.

Serrano tries to take advantage of Pope being slightly out of position, but the England international just gets down to paw the long-range shot away.

Athletic Club now ring in the changes, bringing on 18-year-old Selton Sanchez who makes his senior debut. Nico Serrano also comes on with Navarro and Jauregizar making way.

That shows how depleted Athletic Club's side is at the moment, hit with several injuries to key players.

TNT Sports Reporter Aramide Oladipo reporting live from St James' Park: "A massive ovation for the departing Dan Burn who had been a colossus tonight with a goal to round off his top performance. You’re unlikely to see a better header throughout the entire Champions League this season."

With 25 minutes to go, Eddie Howe decides to shuffle his pack. Anthony Elanga is absolutely beaming as he gets ready to come on alongside Lewis Miley. Lewis Hall is also going to come on as he makes his injury comeback.

Off goes "Bend it Like Burn" (not my nickname), Bruno Guimaraes, and Barnes, who has also had a good game tonight.

Burn is looking very lively in attack tonight, linking up beautifully with Barnes on the left-hand side. It doesn't quite come off this time as the one-two comes to nothing.

Cries of shoot from the Toon Army as Burn gets a bit of space from 25 yards out but decides to be selfless and it comes to nothing.

Aitor Paredes becomes the first player to go into the book for pulling back Woltemade. The German striker is less than pleased and the two exchange some strong words.

Take a look at Joelinton's goal, which has put the Magpies in a much more comfortable position, here: