Newcastle United have picked up their first victory in their 2025-26 Champions League campaign by defeating Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0.
The pressure was on Newcastle United to get off the mark in the Champions League after their spirited defeat to Barcelona in their opener.
Eddie Howe’s side were also looking to bounce back after their late loss against Arsenal on Sunday, but responded with a bright and comfortable victory.
The in-form Union Saint-Gilloise represented a potential banana skin but Newcastle were dominant from the off and took the lead when a shot was flicked in by Nick Wotlemade.
Anthony Gordon doubled the lead before the break from the penalty spot to put Newcastle in a commanding position after finally managing to score away from St. James’ Park.
The Belgian champions tried to take the game to the visitors but Newcastle held firm and killed it off when Gordon scored another well-taken spot kick after the hour.
Harvey Barnes made it four when he finished a deadly counter-attack.
Here’s how the players rated.
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Nick Pope – 8
Got over his costly error in the dying moments against Arsenal to put in another fine display, making some good stops from threatening Union efforts, especially when the home side came out firing after the break.
Kieran Trippier – 6
Not at his sharpest, with some of his usually perfectly-weighted passes to the winger overhit, and he struggled at points with Union’s pace.
Malick Thiaw – 7
Another solid performance from the new centre-back, who is beginning to get settled in the side.
Sven Botman – 8
Very strong in the face of Union’s physical forwards, taking the game to them to win the ball and then looked to bring the team forward from the back. Alert to danger and cleaned it up.
Dan Burn – 7
The fact that Dan Burn has seamlessly fitted straight back in at left-back after hardly playing the role in years is testament to what a fantastic defender he is.
Though, while mostly solid, the cracks of his ageing legs and lack of pace were obvious and a better attacking outlet may have taken more advantage.
While obviously not as much of an attacking threat, he did look to overlap and was not averse to travelling across the pitch to make challenges.
Bruno Guimaraes – 8
Another excellent performance from the midfield dynamo. Bruno Guimaraes had some excellent interplay in tight spaces as well as quickly stretching the play with pinpoint lofted passes. The heart of Newcastle’s play.
Sandro Tonali – 8
Key in maintaining Newcastle’s pressure by cleaning up loose balls in midfield and quickly passing it forward again. It was his shot that Woltemade flicked into the goal.
Joelinton – 6
As energetic as ever but not a great display from Joelinton, who was sloppy with his passing, shooting and fouling. Taken off before the hour.
Anthony Elanga – 8
Given that Anthony Elanga was directly involved in the first two goals, it says something that it feels like he was still wasteful.
This was a good performance. Elanga is the pacey, direct outlet Newcastle have been missing, a player who can carry them 50 yards up the pitch on his own.
It was his cross that led to the opener and he was then upended on a rare foray into the box for the penalty. Yet, he still needs more consistency with his end product to take full advantage of all the dangerous positions he gets in to.
Nick Woltemade – 9
Woltemade is already making an impact in front of goal – his finish in Belgium so well-taken that it deceived everyone, even after multiple replays – but it was his overall build-up play that was even more impressive.
The giant German is naturally powerful when holding off defenders, but he is also so useful in dropping deep, picking up the ball and then spreading it out wide. It helps cut opponents open and it’s exactly how the first goal was created. He had a role in winning the second penalty, too.
A really impressive showing to put certain Bayern Munich executives to shame.
Anthony Gordon – 9
His best performance in some time and hopefully a much-needed confidence boost. Gordon was lively and sharp, taking on defenders and often befuddling them with his quick feet.
He marked the showing with two emphatically taken penalties and did some great work to start the counter-attack for the fourth. Hopefully, he’s getting back to his best.
Substitutes
Lewis Miley – 6
Composed in midfield.
William Osula – 7
Excellent forward play to hold off a challenge and send through Barnes for his goal. An impressive cameo.
Harvey Barnes – 8
Looked dangerous and then got on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal that he helped create.
Lewis Hall – 7
Sharp. Unlucky not to get an assist after some clever play in the box.
Fabian Schar – 6
Made a welcome return to action late on after three games out.
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