Dan Burn holds the key to Newcastle's survival hopes
Dan Burn holds the key to Newcastle’s survival hopes after the 6ft 7in centre back was a mountainous presence again in victory over his former club Brighton
- Newcastle did not play well against Brighton on Saturday, but Dan Burn did
- Since the defender left Brighton, they have played six games and lost five
- Since Burn’s arrival, Newcastle have played five matches and won four
If Dan Burn has a good game, everyone knows about it. Eddie Howe knew, and so did Graham Potter, the Brighton boss who sanctioned his £13million sale in January.
At 6ft 7in and with a Geordie bawl that reaches even the uppermost altitudes of St James’ Park, he does not exactly go unnoticed.
Much like on Saturday night when Burn walked into a Newcastle bar; he was never going to enjoy a quiet drink with his friends and family. ‘Nicest guy ever’ wrote one Brighton fan on social media, mourning the loss of the centre back after he posed for a picture.
Dan Burn celebrates Newcastle’s victory over his former club Brighton on Saturday
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Dubravka 5.5; Krafth 6.5, Schar 7, Burn 8, Targett 7; Willock 6 (Longstaff 90min), Shelvey 6, Joelinton 7; Murphy 6 (Saint-Maximin 64, 6.5), Wood 7, Fraser 7.5 (Bruno 79, 6.5). Scorers: Fraser 12, Schar 14. Booked: Joelinton. Manager: Eddie Howe 7.
BRIGHTON (3-4-2-1): Sanchez 6; Veltman 6.5, Duffy 6, Dunk 6.5; Lamptey 6 (March 59, 6), Gross 6.5, Alzate 7 (Mac Allister 79, 6), Cucurella 7; Trossard 6.5, Moder 5.5 (Maupay 59, 6); Welbeck 6. Scorer: Dunk 55. Booked: Duffy. Manager: Graham Potter 6.5.
Referee: Martin Atkinson 7. Attendance: 52,214.
Since Burn left, Brighton have played six and lost five. Since Burn arrived, Newcastle have played five, won four.
On Saturday, much like every game in recent weeks, Burn was mountainous, an unscalable presence. With him, Newcastle have conceded just twice.
He was not Howe’s nor the hierarchy’s first choice signing in his position, but he could yet prove the best of the new additions, at least in terms of what the team needed this season.
Newcastle did not play well here, but Burn did. On performances such as his the difference in matches is made.
‘I cannot credit Dan enough,’ said Howe. ‘I know I keep saying this, but he is so good at the training ground and around the group. In all my preparations before signing Dan, I realised that leadership was one of the big things that stuck out about him.’
Potter, on the back of four straight defeats but a much-improved performance, was a little prickly when it was put to him that Burn had been ‘outstanding’. ‘Yes, he’s a good player,’ he returned, with a brevity betraying his frustration. He also made the point that all was not always so rosy on the south coast.
‘It wasn’t so long back I was having to defend Dan Burn at Brighton,’ he said. ‘It’s amazing how things turn around.
‘Everybody at Brighton connected with Dan would know what a great guy he is, and we’re pleased for him, but disappointed today because we were on the receiving end of a defeat.’
Newcastle stormed to a 2-1 win over Brighton as two quickfire goals in the first 15 minutes
Instinct told you that the visitors did not deserve to lose — 68 per cent possession allied to 15 shots. Isn’t that Brighton? All sizzle and no steak?
In contrast, Newcastle were ruthlessly efficient. In the space of two minutes — on the back of an opening 12 in which they barely left their own half — the hosts scored twice through Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar. Lewis Dunk replied in the second half but Burn led the resistance to what felt like an inevitable win, even allowing for Brighton being the better team.
That is what Howe has achieved, the resetting of mindsets on the pitch and in the stands. There is an expectation of victory strengthened by a real sense of occasion every time Newcastle play at St James’ Park, where they have lost just once in the league since October. That defeat was by Manchester City.
As for Burn, there are very few higher than him right now, be that literally or metaphorically.
Ryan Fraser opened the scoring for the Magpies after he planted a rebound into the net
Fabian Schar’s header from a Newcastle free kick doubled their lead just two minutes later
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