Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United winning 3-1 away at Burnley in the Premier League.
The comments from neutrals especially telling…
A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.
The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.
Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.
On this occasion the politics entirely absent, concentrating instead on matters on the pitch and wondering how Newcastle United failed to score.
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, some Burnley fans, plus the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing (as well as Sunderland fans pretending to be NUFC fans…):
‘Tell you what newcastle don’t half make life difficult for themselves.
Their passing in 2nd half was terrible and beat to every loose or second ball.
And they passed through us with ease, there was just no marking and positioning was of the midfield was awful’
‘Newcastle Would be in a better position if Isak was still there.’
‘You mean the guy who has scored 3 goals all season for last year’s champions, is currently out with a broken leg, and made statements over the summer to the effect that he’d never play for Newcastle again?
I’m not sure how his still being there would be a “better position” for the club. Having £130m to invest (and a rival dramatically below last season’s levels) is surely preferable?’
‘Burnley worse than Wolves, jammy mags.’
‘Top half of the table at New Year and only 4 points off that 5th place target – with a nice run of winnable games to come.
And winning an away game to boot.
Problems? What problems?
In Eddie we trust.’
‘If Newcastle managed to score 3 goals in every game this season, we’d be in a much more exciting position! Frankly there’s no reason why they can’t do that, take some pressure off the defence.
At least they got the job done tonight.’
‘Outstanding performance from Hall again’
‘In fairness there’s a lot of games this season where Newcastle deserved something more than they got.’
‘Newcastle had some poor spells but took their chances and maybe at best, Burnley deserved to lose by the odd goal.’
‘Newcastle won both halfs. They deserved the points.’
‘Typical Burnley just sums us up. Defensively really poor goals but actually play alright in large parts.
It’s very frustrating to watch. We need to be more clinical with decision making.
Well done Newcastle. Onto the next.’
‘A win is a win to round off this year. Hopefully, it’s the catalyst for a better second half to this season & if there is money to spend in the January window I would be inclined to try a transfer or two, especially defensively.
Finally, however inconsistent this season has been, I can’t thank Eddie Howe enough for 2025 being the year he brought a trophy back to Tyneside.
Have a happy New Year!’
‘Referee was an advert for letting everything go and get players injured. Disgraceful.’
‘How come when Newcastle win a tight, competitive game despite a battling performance by their opponents, they’re below standard, yet when other teams edge out results like this they are described as resilient?
There’s some definite double-standards going on here.’
‘Another disgraceful performance from the Toon.’
‘Wolves will have too much for this poor Newcastle midfield and panicky players.’
‘So much for Eddie Howe’s mantra of intensity is our identity.
Burnley players out working the toon, Broja the freedom of our final third without anyone tackling, zero pressing by us and what is the point of Ramsey?!
Bring back Elliott or Longstaff please.
Embarrassing performance despite the win.’
‘I didn’t realise we had so many fans! Strangely most seem to think that Eddie Howe is a bad manager, Clearly these “fans” don’t know that much about football or the cheesy chips have dulled what little sense they had.’
‘Aye, I talk to lots of NUFC fans in the real world. I have not spoken to anyone who wants Eddie to leave the club.’
‘A good Newcastle win against a stubborn, determined Burnley. ‘
‘Terrible defending Burnley. Handed the points to Newcastle in under 7 first half minutes. Gave ourselves a mountain to climb.
Definitely going back to the championship.’
Burnley 1 Newcastle 3 – 30 December 2025 7.30pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Joelinton 2, Wissa 7, Bruno 90+3
Burnley:
Laurent 23
Possession was Newcastle 51% Burnley 49%
Total shots were Newcastle 20 Burnley 15
Shots on target were Newcastle 9 Burnley 4
Corners were Newcastle 4 Burnley 3
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 23 Burnley 28
Newcastle team v Burnley:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton (Willock 94), Bruno, Barnes (Murphy 72), Gordon (Ramsey 80), Wissa (Woltemade 80)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Alex Murphy, Alabi, Shahar, Neave