Newcastle United secured their third consecutive Premier League win with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Kieran Trippier was once again the hero for the Magpies as his first half free kick was enough to secure another triumph to move them four points clear of the relegation zone.
Perhaps the only blot on another successful outing against St. James’ Park was the injury to talisman Trippier, who is set for a spell on the sidelines after fracturing a bone in his foot.
Dan Burn, another of Newcastle’s impressive crop of January signings, was handed his debut on Sunday and he produced an impressive defensive display to see out the three points.
Here is how the national media reported the game.
‘A team transformed’
Craig Hope of the Daily Mail said: “They are now four points above 18th-placed Norwich and with a game to spare after this third straight victory, the first time Newcastle have achieved such a sequence since the days of the ever-popular Rafa Benitez in 2018.
“It says much, however, that the recent availability of the Spaniard has barely warranted mention on Tyneside.
“This is a team transformed under Howe, who joked on the eve of the game that a couple of wins had helped accelerate his North-East property search.
“With his wife visiting from the South Coast and in the stands, the Howes might well be readying an offer after this, a gritty win owing everything to the work the manager has done since arriving in November.
“Vicki was certainly left in no doubt as to the strength of feeling towards her husband from the home masses, who again chorused in rejoice of his 'black and white army'.
“Do not be fooled into thinking money has bought the turnaround, either. Yes, the magnificent January signing Kieran Trippier was the match-winner, but a group of players who were wanting for fitness, motivation and organisation in the autumn are emerging from winter with a newfound glow.”
Trippier’s ‘outstanding moment’
BBC Sport’s Neil Johnston said: “Newcastle were three points from safety after a 4-0 home defeat by Manchester City on 19 December.
“Two months on and the mood at St James' Park has been transformed by wins over Leeds United, Everton and now Villa - as well as some good business in the January transfer window.
“Dan Burn marked his debut for his boyhood heroes after joining from Brighton by helping them to only a third clean sheet in the league this season.
“But it was England defender Tripper who produced the game's outstanding moment as he repeated his feat against Everton in midweek.
“Such has been Trippier's influence since becoming Newcastle's first signing since October's Saudi Arabian-backed takeover that manager Eddie Howe will hope the injury is not serious.
“Trippier was a doubt before the game but, by the time he left the pitch in the 48th minute, Newcastle were on their way to another three points.
“They remain 17th in the table, but the gap to 18th-placed Norwich at least affords them some breathing space before trips to West Ham on Saturday and Brentford on 26 February.”
‘Mid-table beckons’
Louise Taylor of the Guardian said: “As Eddie Howe ran out of Newcastle players to embrace and, wreathed in smiles, finally walked off the pitch, he looked up towards the directors’ box and blew his wife a kiss.
“If she had not already realised it, this was surely the day when Vicki Howe fully understood precisely why her husband wanted to be the manager of one of English football’s doziest sleeping giants.
“Three consecutive wins have not merely lifted an apparently doomed side four points clear of the relegation zone but breathed new life into a club transformed under their controversial Saudi Arabian-led ownership.
“Played out against an electric, highly evocative, backdrop of vigorously waved black and white flags and a soundtrack of “Eddie Howe’s black and white army”, this was an afternoon when, despite the chill rain, anything seemed possible.
“Admittedly Newcastle rode their luck a little in the second half but with the debutant Dan Burn outstanding in central defence and Kieran Trippier around to score the winning goal, midtable beckons.”
