Champions League - Football - TNT Sports

FULL TIME! NEWCASTLE 2-0 ATHLETIC CLUB

It has been all Athletic in the closing stages. Boiro moves well to get space in the left half-space but Hierro puts his shot straight at Pope.

The Magpies are playing with fire(works) as they try and pass round the back, but Botman's diving header clears the danger.

And that will be that! A very comfortable match for Newcastle against a depleted Athletic Club side but they are now in the top eight at the halfway stage of the Champions League.

Two headers, a worldie from Dan Burn, and a more routine one from Joelinton, have sealed all three points for Eddie Howe's side.

BILBAO HUNTING CONSOLATION GOAL

Hierro gets in behind but the angle is always tightening and Pope keeps him out. Thiaw, who has had another very solid match at the back, did well to force him out wide.

Serrano now shoots and wins a corner for the visitors, but Pope punches the second ball clear.

He has done some damage in the process though, as both Vivian and Tonali are clutching their heads.

HART: 'SAFE BET' MURPHY 'JUST SO CONSISTENT'

Joe Hart on Jacob Murphy, live on TNT Sports: "You feel like he's always pushing himself. He never looks, or probably feels, like he's an established starter in the Newcastle 11, even though he starts a lot of games.

"But he's just so consistent, and really reads strikers well. He's a safe bet for Eddie Howe."

NEWCASTLE SUBSTITION: RAMSEY ON FOR WOLTEMADE

Jacob Murphy gets forward on the right flank, and the flag stays down. He squares it to the far post where Woltemade and Elanga are waiting, but the former puts the latter off, who skies his shot.

And that will be that for Woltemade, who is replaced by Jacob Ramsey, who is yet to really impress since joining from Aston Villa this summer.

ANOTHER DEBUTANT ON FOR ATHLETIC CLUB

And that will be Unai Gomez's last action. He and Areso are replaced by Asier Hierro, another debutant, and Andoni Gorosabel.

Anthony Elanga tries to use his considerable pace to keep a ball forward in play, but even he can't get there in time.

Ten minutes to go.

NEWCASTLE BONFIRE SIMMERING DOWN

After the fireworks early on in the half, this match is starting to burn out. No plots from Athletic Club to blow this Newcastle lead up.

Botman needs to do really well to prevent a chipped through ball finding Unai Gomez who would have been in on goal.

ATHLETIC CLUB COME CLOSE WITH LONG RANGE EFFORT

Apparently, Athletic Club winger had a piece of glass in his foot for months before he realised. That's not why he is missing tonight though, he has an adductor injury.

Serrano tries to take advantage of Pope being slightly out of position, but the England international just gets down to paw the long-range shot away.

ATHLETIC CLUB SUBSTITUTION: SENIOR DEBUT FOR SELTON SANCHEZ

Athletic Club now ring in the changes, bringing on 18-year-old Selton Sanchez who makes his senior debut. Nico Serrano also comes on with Navarro and Jauregizar making way.

That shows how depleted Athletic Club's side is at the moment, hit with several injuries to key players.

"A MASSIVE OVATION FOR 'COLOSSUS' DAN BURN"

TNT Sports Reporter Aramide Oladipo reporting live from St James' Park: "A massive ovation for the departing Dan Burn who had been a colossus tonight with a goal to round off his top performance. You’re unlikely to see a better header throughout the entire Champions League this season."

NEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTIONS: HALL MAKES INJURY RETURN

With 25 minutes to go, Eddie Howe decides to shuffle his pack. Anthony Elanga is absolutely beaming as he gets ready to come on alongside Lewis Miley. Lewis Hall is also going to come on as he makes his injury comeback.

Off goes "Bend it Like Burn" (not my nickname), Bruno Guimaraes, and Barnes, who has also had a good game tonight.

BURN AND BARNES CONTINUE TO LINK UP WELL

Burn is looking very lively in attack tonight, linking up beautifully with Barnes on the left-hand side. It doesn't quite come off this time as the one-two comes to nothing.

Cries of shoot from the Toon Army as Burn gets a bit of space from 25 yards out but decides to be selfless and it comes to nothing.

WATCH: JOELINTON HEADER GIVES NEWCASTLE PERFECT START TO SECOND HALF

Aitor Paredes becomes the first player to go into the book for pulling back Woltemade. The German striker is less than pleased and the two exchange some strong words.

Take a look at Joelinton's goal, which has put the Magpies in a much more comfortable position, here:

BURN CONTINUING TO ADD TO NEWCASTLE'S ATTACK

Newcastle now have their first corner of the night and Burn heads it back across to Botman, who nods it straight at Simon.

There is still a long way to go, but Athletic Club look quite deflated at the moment.

Burn now finds himself at left wing but goes for goal from a tight angle despite having options in the box.

MCMANAMAN: "JOELINTON'S NOT GOING TO MISS FROM SEVEN YARDS OUT"

Steve McManaman, speaking live on TNT Sports: "Great start by Newcastle. Rightly so, Eddie Howe's had a couple of words. Joelinton's not going to miss from seven yards out. Great start, now go on and get the third and fourth and enjoy this evening."

GOAL! NEWCASTLE 2-0 BILBAO (JOELINTON)

And there is that goal! Newcastle dominate the ball from the get-go and Barnes sees his first shot before regaining control of the ball.

He chips the ball into the box and Joelinton finds a pocket of space before heading well past Unai Simon.

Newcastle look well on their way towards their third Champions League win in a row.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY!

Nick Woltemade gets the second half started for Newcastle! No changes for either side at half time.

Eddie Howe will hope his side kill this game off asap. but can Athletic Club find a way back?

"ATHLETIC WILL FIND THEMSELVES FAIRLY HAPPY THEY ONLY FIND THEMSELVES 1-0 DOWN"

TNT Sports Reporter Aramide Oladipo reporting live from St James' Park: "Given the amount of injuries in the Athletic Club squad, the Basque outfit will be fairly happy that they only find themselves 1-0 down.

"Newcastle have dominated proceedings but it just takes one drop in concentration for the visitors to get back into this game. The hosts need a second goal early after the break to put this game to bed."

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