The Magpies eased past PSV Eindhoven to book a play-off place and it could yet get even better
Newcastle United’s Harvey Barnes celebrates scoring the team’s third goal against PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park(Image: )
Newcastle United booked a place in the Champions League play-offs with a convincing display against PSV Eindhoven.
Despite boasting a proud unbeaten run of 11 months, Newcastle brushed past the Dutchmen to climb into an automatic qualifier slot. And a positive result next week away to Paris St-Germain may well see Eddie Howe and his players avoid the play-offs completely.
However, even getting out of the 36-team group stage will be deemed a big achievement with the comfortable win over the seasoned European campaigners an excellent way to round of the Magpies’ home campaign. On a night in which Joelinton returned to his best form, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes completed the rout.
And there was a genuine touch of class in the second half when out of form Anthony Elanga heard his name chanted continuously in the closing stages with the supporters on hand to give his confidence a big boost.
The Dutch table toppers went into the game unbeaten on their travels since March 1 and with memories of the impressive 4-1 win at Liverpool still fresh in their minds. Newcastle had an early sight of goal when Kieran Trippier clipped in a cross from the right but Joelinton’s header was poor before Anthony Gordon made a hash of the resultant loose ball.
But the Magpies went ahead on eight minutes as they tried to set the tone early in the match. Matej Kovar’s clearance fell straight to Bruno Guimaraes in the middle before he picked out Joelinton. When Joelinton latched on to the ball, Wissa was in an offside position, but moved back onside, and the goal was deemed to be in the second phase of play.
Wissa may not have got the perfect connection on it but it was good enough to lift the ball over the Czech stopper and put Newcastle in the lead. A quick VAR check followed and mystified Toon players, but the goal was deemed onside.