Newcastle were handed a huge boost in their Premier League survival bid as an inspired second-half display by Allan Saint-Maximin helped them to a 2-1 win at Burnley.
The Frenchman scored and provided an assist for in the space of five minutes after Matej Vydra gave the hosts the lead.
The visitors responded well to going behind as Vydra finished from less than six yards out following good work by strike partner Chris Wood.
However, it was shaping up to be one of those afternoons for Steve Bruce’s side as Dwight Gayle’s goal wasn’t given due to a marginal offside while the striker was denied from point-blank range by Bailey Peacock Farrell, in for Nick Pope who has a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce’s side were denied a penalty when James Tarkowski’s boot struck Sean Longstaff’s head.
The Premier League later confirmed to talkSPORT that referee Anthony Taylor’s decision wasn’t overturned by VAR as Tarkowski got the ball first and it was thus deemed not a clear and obvious error. That’s not how Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp saw it, however.
He said: “He’s nearly taken his head off! Anywhere else on the pitch it’s a foul, so why’s it not a penalty?”
Newcastle continued to probe and the course of the match changed when Bruce brought on Saint-Maximin, as well as Callum Wilson, who made a return for the first time since February, on 57 minutes.
Two minutes later, they were level as Saint-Maximin teed up Jacob Murphy, who fired into the corner of the net.
And five minutes after that, the Magpies went 2-1 as Saint-Maximin gathered the ball on the halfway line, deceived Tarkowski and Ben Mee as he switched onto his left peg before striking low into the corner of the net – and doing a brilliant dance to celebrate what proved to be the winner.
The result sees the Magpies go six points clear of 18th-placed Fulham, who were beaten by Wolves on Friday night.
Published at Sun, 11 Apr 2021 13:00:47 +0000
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