Newcastle United move into the top eight with a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven, but face a crucial final game at PSG after Bruno Guimaraes injury
NEWCASTLE United capitalised on PSV Eindhoven’s defensive mistakes to secure a crucial 3-0 Champions League victory at St James’ Park.
The win lifts Eddie Howe’s side into the top eight of the league phase, but their progress was marred by a first-half injury to captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Yoane Wissa and Anthony Gordon scored inside the opening half-hour after errors from the Dutch champions.
Wissa, making his first Champions League start, described the night as “special” and “very emotional” after a career spent largely in lower leagues.
Harvey Barnes added a third goal just after the hour mark for his fifth goal in as many games.
Newcastle’s victory was soured when Guimaraes was forced off with an ankle injury after colliding with PSV goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
The Brazilian midfielder could be a significant miss for next week’s daunting final group game away to holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Newcastle currently sit in the top eight only on goal difference and will likely need to beat PSG in Paris to secure direct qualification for the last 16.
PSV, who are romping towards the Eredivisie title, were architects of their own downfall for both early goals.
A poor clearance by Kovar led to Wissa’s opener, while a weak backpass allowed Wissa to set up Gordon for the second.
Gordon’s goal was his sixth in the Champions League this season, putting him behind only Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane in the scoring charts.
Howe praised his team’s performance, calling it “one of our best individual performances from a lot of the players for a while.”
The Newcastle boss now faces a selection headache in midfield and defence due to injuries amid a gruelling schedule across four competitions.
Saudi-backed Newcastle are one of five Premier League teams currently in the top eight, underlining English clubs’ financial strength in Europe.
They must now finish the job against Qatari-owned PSG to avoid the play-off round and secure a direct path to the knockout stages.
