Newcastle United secured a crucial 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven, propelling them into the top eight of the Champions League table. With a blockbuster clash against the reigning champions, Paris Saint-Germain, on the horizon, the Magpies are in a strong position to secure their place in the last 16. The win, coupled with a draw in another match, could be enough to avoid the play-offs and secure their spot in the next round. However, a second triumph against the Ligue 1 giants would be the safer route to qualification.
The Magpies were outside the top eight heading into the fixture, but quickly moved up the table with a comfortable lead after two major errors from the Eredivisie league leaders within the first half hour. Goalkeeper Matej Kovar cleared the ball directly to Bruno Guimaraes, and compatriot Joelinton selflessly squared the ball to Yoane Wissa, allowing him to score just eight minutes into his first start in the Champions League. Yarek Gasiorowski's underhit backpass was pounced upon by Wissa, replicating the first goal, and Anthony Gordon reaped the rewards on this occasion, tapping into an empty net to score his sixth of the competition.
Harvey Barnes rounded off the evening with a well-taken strike into the bottom corner after the break. However, the mood was dampened by an injury to captain Guimaraes, who was forced off in the first half after landing awkwardly on his ankle. Lewis Miley replaced him in the 48th minute and the 19-year-old homegrown talent would go on to wear the armband in the latter stages of the game, adding to the mood in what was a special night at St James' Park.
Attention will undoubtedly switch to the blockbuster clash against PSG at the end of the month, but in the immediate future, Howe will need to navigate a tough test against Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports, this Sunday. Possibly without their leader. The player ratings were released, with Wissa starring in his first CL start, and the team's performance was praised by manager Eddie Howe.
Despite the victory, the injury to Guimaraes is a concern, with the team facing a challenging run of fixtures, including Aston Villa, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, and Manchester City. Howe expressed his worry about the injury, acknowledging the importance of Guimaraes to the team's success. The Magpies will need to rely on their collective strength and belief to navigate these tough games and secure their place in the Champions League.
