Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United have set themselves up ‘nicely’ ahead of competing in the Champions League and facing Sunderland.
The Magpies returned to winning ways on Saturday, with Newcastle United beating Burnley 2-1 at St James’ Park.
It was a very nervy ending for Eddie Howe’s side, having threatened to throw away a two-goal lead. First they conceded a penalty in stoppage time, then Burnley squandered a chance to equalise with the last kick of the game.
Newcastle United thought they had it won and were nearly punished. Fortunately, they managed to scrape over the line and build up some momentum ahead of two massive games.
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Alan Shearer says Newcastle United ‘got away with it’ vs Burnley
Next up for Newcastle United is Bayer Leverkusen away in the Champions League, followed by the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.
It is a seismic week for Eddie Howe, who could have prepared for it in the worst way possible had his side thrown away victory against Burnley.
Alan Shearer has said on the Rest Is Football podcast that his former side ‘got away with it’, as he previews a huge week for the Magpies.
“They go 2-0 up with the Anthony Gordon penalty,” he said.
“It was a red card and it was a penalty. And then it was, I don’t know, it was all, I guess, a bit easy.
“And then to be fair to Burnley, they did come back. They got a penalty themselves. Right at the death [they nearly equalised]. It was the last touch of the game. Goodness me, Newcastle got away with it.
“They deserved to win the game, Newcastle, but they were very, very nearly punished towards the end of the game.
“But a win is a win. Sets them nicely up for the Champions League in midweek and then Sunderland next week away.”
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The score when Newcastle United visit Sunderland will be….
Game management has become an issue for Newcastle United as Sunderland clash looms
Newcastle United nearly threw away victory for the second time in the space of a few days against Burnley.
They actually did just that versus Tottenham Hotspur, conceding a 95th minute equaliser. That draw felt like a defeat for Newcastle United, and it would have been the same against Burnley had they allowed them to make it 2-2 in stoppage time.
The Magpies’ game management has proven to be extremely poor, particularly at home. That is massively worrying.
It will be even more worrying if Newcastle United get themselves into a similar position against Sunderland next Sunday. The past two games have been in front of a nervous St James’ Park crowd, whereas the derby is at the Stadium of Light.
Should Newcastle fail to manage that game properly, it will give the Sunderland crowd the chance they need to become their side’s 12th man.