Daniel Wales reports as Newcastle United win 0-4 against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League, to kick start their European adventure, with Eddie Howe full of praise for his side following the full time whistle.
00:00It was a special night in Brussels for Newcastle United as they recorded their biggest ever win in the Champions League with a 4-0 victory away against Union Saint-Geloise at the Lotto Park Stadium.
00:15A brace of penalties for winger Anthony Gordon sandwiched in amongst goals for Nick Valtemada and Harvey Barnes who came off the substitutes bench rounded off what was a near perfect night for Newcastle United in Europe.
00:30As mentioned it was their biggest ever win in the Champions League but of course in the Premier League away from home they're yet to score a goal never mind win away from St. James's Park.
00:41And therefore they will hope that this result will be the catalyst for the rest of their season both domestically and in Europe.
00:49Next up they face Nottingham Forest at St. James's Park hoping to get another win in the top flight.
00:55But let's go back to the Lotto Park Stadium to see exactly how Newcastle United kick-started their league phase in this season's Champions League campaign.
01:05The setting for the fixture of Lotto Park in Brussels is of course the home of USG's rivals and elect.
01:15Eddie Howe and his side arrived on the evening knowing that they needed to get a good result to make sure that they were not cut too far adrift in the Champions League League phase.
01:25And they got off to a great start when Sandra Tonali's shot was flicked into the net by Nick Valtemada to open the scoring.
01:33And soon it was too when Anthony Gordon dispatched a penalty after fellow winger Anthony Alanga had been brought down in the box just before the half-time whistle.
01:44With the Magpies going into the break much the happier of the two.
01:47And despite some flurries forward from USG at the start of the second period, Newcastle raced into a three-goal lead.
01:55Anthony Gordon managing to put away another penalty this time because of a handball in the USG box.
02:03But the Magpies weren't done yet though.
02:05Harvey Barnes got their fourth goal finishing off a counter-attack after good work from Anthony Gordon and then William Asula.
02:12Eddie Howe was pleased after the full-time whistle and gave huge praise to Nick Valtemada.
02:18Yeah, hopefully it helps us when we return to the Premier League because we've been waiting for a performance like that really where, as I said, we looked like we could score at any moment.
02:28It wasn't a perfect performance, there's things we can improve, but it was a big step in the right direction.
02:33An important stage as well in the Champions League because, as I've said before, we have to start well.
02:41These competitions are so high, the demands are so big on us that if we're slow starters we could leave ourselves too much to do.
02:48So I certainly leave here, I think, in a lot healthier, positive frame of mind and looking forward to the next game.
02:54The goal for Newcastle's German striker was his third in black and white in just four starts for the club.
03:02Yeah, I thought he performed really well today.
03:04I think, as always with Nick, since I'm obviously learning about his game all the time like everyone else is, like the players are, because we've had very little limited training time,
03:15I think you can see his link-up play is such a big part of what he does.
03:19I think he was excellent today.
03:21A lot of times he's the pass before the wingers receive the ball and so sort of almost their involvement is reliant on his ability to play that pass.
03:31So I think you saw the two Antonys get a lot of ball because of him and, of course, the team.
03:38And, yeah, I thought they both played well and were a constant threat in the match.
03:41And, you know, he's going to need crosses to score.
03:43That'll be one major source of his goals.
03:46I'm not sure he'll score many like he did today, if that's credited to him.
03:49But I'm pleased he's got it because that'll just help him feel even more embedded into our team.
03:54There was also praise for Newcastle's defensive unit after the full-time whistle and, in particular, German Malik Chao,
04:02who has started to form quite the partnership with now fully fit Sven Botman, who has come back into the side.
04:09Of course, Newcastle will be without Tino Livramento in the full-back areas for around six to eight weeks.
04:16Dan Byrne, though, came in and did a good job at left-back with Kieran Trippier covering in the right-back position.
04:23As mentioned before, Newcastle go into their next game now against Nottingham Forest at St James' Park,
04:28full of confidence, knowing that they finally have the ability to score goals,
04:33something that has been a real point of concern so far this season.
04:37They will certainly now hope to put Forest to the sword on Tyneside.
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