Daniel Wales reports from St. James’ Park as Newcastle United won 2-0 against Athletic Club of Bilbao in the Champions League, thanks to two headers, one from Dan Burn and the other from Joelinton. Following the final whistle, Eddie Howe called for further consistency from his side, whilst Bruno Guimarães was pleased the Magpies were able to bounce back from West Ham, and Sandro Tonali said Newcastle played with confidence.
00:00After the disappointment of West Ham, Newcastle United flexed their muscles against Athletic Club of Bilbao
00:06with a comfortable 2-0 victory at St James' Park.
00:09The Magpies' goals came in each half, one from Dan Byrne and the other from Joe Linton.
00:14Everyone of a black and white persuasion inside of St James' Park was looking for an immediate response
00:19after the poor performance that had been put out against West Ham in the Premier League.
00:24And for the most part, that is what they got.
00:27The first half wasn't the most exciting of 45 minutes, but Newcastle did enough to be ahead
00:32and realistically could have scored more than the one that they did in the opening period of the match.
00:38The Magpies were therefore thankful to score their second early into the second half, which put them in a commanding position.
00:45Whilst Bilbao did apply pressure in the closing stages, Anyhow's side were able to lap it up
00:50and come away with the win that sees them up to sixth place in the Champions League table
00:55with half of the league phase having been played.
00:59Let's go back to the referee's first whistle to see how the match unfolded.
01:03The majority of the team that lost against the Hammers in London were given the chance to bounce back in the Champions League
01:11and that they did.
01:13Dan Byrne opened the scoring after just 11 minutes with a curling header had found the back of the net
01:18after he had latched on to Kieran Trippier's set piece from the right-hand side.
01:24Newcastle could have been further ahead by half-time, but they didn't have to wait long to double their advantage after the break.
01:32Joe Linton scoring ahead of this time from Harvey Barnes' cross from the left-hand side of the box.
01:38That was effectively game over.
01:40And after the full-time whistle, Eddie Howe spoke on wanting his side to be more consistent across all competitions from now on.
01:48Yeah, I think it's, you know, I think when you go back and look at our time, we've been pretty consistent through the seasons.
01:56Of course, you have dips throughout it.
02:00We want to make sure that we don't become that team that's yo-yoing in terms of attitude or intensity or delivery of performances.
02:09We really want that identity to be clear in how we play, regardless of where we play.
02:14Yeah, always important bouncing back after a bad defeat at West Ham.
02:21It was a good proof what this group of players is capable to do.
02:27I think the confidence is there.
02:29We just have to stop to talk too much and show in the pitch because we own our fans away from home.
02:38And how are you physically? Because you had a bit of a bug recently as well.
02:40Oh, bad. I'm very tired. I think today was like playing with 10 kilos in my back.
02:48So, I will do everything for this club. I love to play here, even more at home.
02:53Yeah, I think tonight, especially tonight, we play with confidence.
02:58When we play with confidence, we are another team.
03:02Because if you watch the last game, we weren't a little bit brave.
03:10We miss confidence. We miss brave in the pitch.
03:13Every time we miss this, we have a big problem.
03:16So, every time we play with brave, with confidence, we win the game.
03:21Every time. And we are happy after the game.
03:24Do you think you are playing the best football of your career at present?
03:29Yes, but just because I am 25 now and I came here when I was 22.
03:40So, I was young before Newcastle and I think, yes, this is my best football.
03:46But because I am 25, I have three years more in my legs, I have more confidence, more experience.
03:56In Bruno Gimaraes and Sandro Tonali, Newcastle have a pair of midfielders
04:00who are two of the most capable, not just in the country, but in Europe too.
04:05Tonali, as he made clear, is playing the best football of his career here at present.
04:10But Newcastle must fight to keep hold of him when other potential suitors come sniffing.
04:14As for Bruno, well, his passion for the club and for the city is undoubted.
04:19But he, like others know, performances across all of Newcastle's competitions this season
04:24must be more consistent.
04:26This was a frustration shared by Eddie Howe.
04:28Up next for the Magpies is a trip to face Brentford in the Premier League.
04:32A type of fixture which has been a stumbling block for Newcastle so far this season.
04:37It is one, therefore, where they can highlight that they really do have the right mentality.
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