Sports
Report, result and goals as Wissa nets on big UCL night
Newcastle produced a commanding performance to beat PSV 3-0 at St James Park, putting themselves firmly in the mix for a top-eight finish in the Champions League league phase.
The tone was set early, with Newcastle’s high press unsettling PSV from the outset. That pressure paid off in the eighth minute when a poor clearance from the goalkeeper, Kovar, was punished.
Bruno Guimaraes reacted quickest and moved the ball on to Joelinton, who fed Yoane Wissa. The forward made a mess of the finish but still managed to squeeze the ball into the net to give the hosts an early lead.
PSV struggled to settle and were punished again just after the half-hour mark. This time it was a dreadful backpass from Yarek that gifted Newcastle their second goal.
Wissa intercepted, kept his composure, and squared for Anthony Gordon, who tapped into an empty net.
The only concern for Eddie Howe before the break was the withdrawal of Guimaraes through injury, but his side remained comfortable after half-time.
The second half was played largely on Newcastle’s terms, with PSV unable to build any sustained pressure or trouble Nick Pope.
Any lingering doubt was removed in the 65th minute when Harvey Barnes added a third. Picking up the ball around 30 yards from goal, Barnes drove forward, skipped past his marker and fired a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner, finishing off an excellent individual move.
From there, Newcastle saw the game out with ease. PSV managed just one shot on target across the entire match, while the hosts continued to look dangerous on the counter.
Late substitutions allowed Howe to manage minutes and give opportunities to others, including a warm reception for Lewis Miley.
The win lifts Newcastle to seventh on 13 points, level with several sides heading into the final round of fixtures.
With a trip to Paris Saint-Germain still to come, there is work left to do, but this was a confident and controlled display that leaves them well placed going into the final game.
