Martin Dubravka makes Newcastle United claim after Burnley breeze past Sunderland

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has reflected on his first win for Burnley against Sunderland.

The 36-year-old’s emotional departure from Tyneside was confirmed earlier this summer after seven-and-a-half years.

Martin Dubravka will go down as one of Newcastle United’s best-ever goalkeepers, having made 179 appearances for the club.

The shot-stopper was rewarded for his loyalty last season when Newcastle won the Carabao Cup, with the Slovakian playing a major part in their semi-final wins over Arsenal. Dubravka joined Burnley shortly after Aaron Ramsdale arrived at Newcastle on loan, with the belief that he still believes he can play first-team football despite his age.

Dubravka endured a nightmare debut for Burnley, losing against Tottenham Hotspur and becoming the first goalkeeper to fall foul of the Premier League’s new eight-second rule.

However, he helped the Clarets take all three points at home against Sunderland, and after the game he shared why the win meant so much to him.

Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images

Newcastle United fans messaged Martin Dubravka ahead of Sunderland clash

While he may not be on Tyneside anymore, Dubravka is still an adopted Geordie and adored on Tyneside.

So when he was named in the starting lineup against Sunderland, he knew he needed to perform for his former club as well as his current one. Dubravka kept a clean sheet against the Black Cats as Burnley won 2-0.

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Post-match, Dubravka explained why the win was more than just three points.

“I’m not gonna lie, this is a special victory for me for obvious reasons. I can’t even describe it,” he told Sun Sport.

“I spent almost eight years in Newcastle and played in the derby once, so I’m glad that we won it.

“I got so many messages from the Geordies before the match wishing me the best and that we hopefully smashed them.”

When will Martin Dubravka next play against Newcastle United?

Eddie Howe said it was a ‘pleasure’ working with Dubravka at Newcastle, and praised him for his long and storied career on Tyneside.

It was clear that Dubravka needed to leave Newcastle for the good of his career. He had fallen down the pecking order after Ramsdale arrived and needed to prove why he can still play in a top league. He got his move to Burnley, which will no doubt keep him busy between the sticks.

Newcastle fans do not have much longer to wait before they see Dubravka back at St James’ Park again, as Burnley travel to the North East to play the Magpies on 6 December.

There are two games in quick succession between the two sides, as Newcastle will then be travelling to Burnley for their final game of 2025 on 30 December.

Dubravka will no doubt be emotional on his St James’ Park return, and will surely receive a warm reception from the Newcastle fans.

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