Embarrassing – BBC Sport pundit comments before AND then on the Burnley 1 Newcastle 4 reality | OneFootball

Interesting to look at the viewpoint before AND then watching the reality from this BBC Sport pundit, with Saturday’s match at Turf Moor.

The final score reading Burnley 1 Newcastle 4.

Chris Sutton having plenty to say ahead of the match, then also reflecting on what he watched in the flesh.

Sutton actually there in person working for BBC Sport at Turf Moor.

BEFORE:

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 3 May 2024:

“I am at this game for 5 Live, and I am really looking forward to it because both teams have hit a bit of form…I have to say I admire how Burnley have kept going this season.

“Vincent Kompany’s side should have beaten Manchester United last week, but they have still given themselves a chance of staying up with three games to go.

“They will throw everything at this game, while Newcastle are in the mix for sixth place and will be right up for it too.

“I love what Alexander Isak is doing for the Magpies but, like his team-mate Anthony Gordon, his numbers do drop off when they are on the road.

“Both players should have a chance to improve their away stats on Saturday, but I don’t think Newcastle will have things all their own way.

“Prediction: Burnley 3 Newcastle 3”

THE REALITY:

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 5 May 2024:

“That is embarrassing from Burnley.

“The Burnley full-backs have left their areas all afternoon and Newcastle have exploited them brutally.

“Isak hammered that into the roof of the net and all of the Burnley fans are leaving.

“They know the Burnley team has the look of one that is doomed.

“Burnley were in good form before today, but today was brutal and I can’t make a case for them staying up.”

So what to make of what the BBC Sport man has said?

I think we see this far too often, where beforehand so many pundits really talk up the opposition and tell us why they are going to win, or at the very least, Newcastle United not winning. Then when Eddie Howe’s side play well and take the opposition apart, it is suddenly how bad the other team were/are, not how good Newcastle have been.

To be fair to Burnley, they did start well and threw everything at it, BUT once Newcastle got their passing, movement and running with the ball going, they tore Kompany’s side apart from around 15 minutes in.

Man U were lucky to get a draw at home against Burnley the week before and yet the Clarets just couldn’t live with United at Turf Moor yesterday. I think that is the real story of this latest thrashing handed out by NUFC. So much attacking threat and only Man City and Arsenal have scored more than Newcastle’s 78 PL goals. Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak at the heart of all that was good about that AWAY attacking threat at Turf Moor.

The BBC Sport pundit reckoned beforehand that the home side were going to score three goals.

In 38 matches this season against Premier League opposition this season (in league and cups), Burnley had managed three goals in a game only against Sheffield United. Burnley have managed this 5-0 at home and 4-1 away, though worth pointing out that Sheffield United had conceded a massive 97 goals (now 100!), with 13 of those seeing Newcastle United setting a new Premier League record, for goals against one other club in a PL season.

In their 36 other games against Premier League opposition, Burnley scoring two or less goals. Indeed, whilst their form had picked up from a woeful 20 defeats and only three wins in their opening 27 PL matches this season, the fact is that apart from winning 4-1 at Sheffield United two weeks before the NUFC match, their other four of the last five games had seen Burnley only score three goals, including only one goal at home to Wolves and the same against Brighton at Turf Moor.

Meanwhile, Newcastle had conceded twice against a Palace side who played really well but in the other three of their last four games, Eddie Howe’s side had conceded only one other goal. Clean sheets at Fulham and home to Spurs, whilst Sheffield United getting that early goal the previous Saturday.

Only Sheffield United had scored less than Burnley’s 38 goals and nobody has scored so few at home, Burnley with only 17 goals at Turf Moor in 17 home PL games, whilst conceding 37. Those figures now reading scored 18 and conceding 41 so far at home.

Stats via BBC Sport:

Burnley 1 Newcastle 4 – Saturday 4 May 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Wilson 19, Longstaff 35, Bruno 40, Isak 55

Burnley:

O’Shea 86

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Burnley 46% (52%) Newcastle 54% (48%)

Total shots were Burnley 17 (8) Newcastle 23 (15)

Shots on target were Burnley 5 (3) Newcastle 11 (6)

Corners were Burnley 4 (3) Newcastle 11 (5)

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Newcastle team v Burnley:

Dubravka, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Hall, Longstaff (Joelinton 77), Bruno, J Murphy (Anderson 69), Gordon (Ritchie 85), Isak (Almiron 77), Wilson (Barnes 69)

Unused subs:

Pope, Dummett, White, A Murphy

(This is excellent from Vincent Kompany after Burnley 1 Newcastle 4 thrashing – Read HERE)

(Burnley 1 Newcastle 4 – Instant Newcastle fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Newcastle United class blows the Clarets away – Burnley 1 Newcastle 4 – Read HERE)

Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)

(The final day of the season live TV matches will be selected closer to the day but all 10 PL games will be same time same day)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)

Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)