BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ on Newcastle United after 2-1 win over Burnley

Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United winning 2-1 against Burnley.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion the politics entirely absent, concentrating instead on matters on the pitch.

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, some Burnley fans, Newcastle supporters (and the odd Sunderland fan, including those pretending to be Newcastle fans…) also contributing:

‘First gear performance with Wednesday night in mind. Tonali, Joelinton and Hall all rested, Wissa got a first taste of football this season.

The late late goal for Burnley is no more significant than the late late goals for West Ham and Brentford that made no difference to the result, just changed how glossy they looked.’

‘Both penalties were clear penalties, so VAR was a benefit in this game.

The first one, the player had his arms thrust out in front of him when the ball his his hands. The second penalty, Ramsey moved his elbow towards the ball. Probably a reflex reaction, but still a penalty.’

‘What I don’t like is this situation where a ball can be blasted at someone from 2 yards, hits their arm and that’s a penalty.

Or that players are supposed to jump for headers while keeping their arms by their sides like it’s table football.’

‘Both penalties were legal and valid under any handball rules. Both were deliberate hands to ball and there can be no arguments regarding either. The red card was harsh, however and spoilt the game. Dubravka saves, as usual were wasted when he should have done better, even though he was fouled for the 1st goal.’

‘Burnley the better team with just 10 men.’

‘Beating better teams is a very Newcastle thing.

Unfortunately so is failing to beat worse teams.’

‘Newcastle: 3 points but.. man, they make you sweat!’

‘They make you sweat, so finally we find out why all those Geordies go topless no matter how cold it is.’

‘Need to stop giving these late goals away at home. Cost them against Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs. Fortunately not this one.’

‘No team is immune to ever conceding goals, this one didn’t matter.’

‘Any other result than a win for Newcastle would have been an injustice.’

‘Got the job done and managed to rest Tonali, Joelinton and Barnes.’

‘Hate seeing Burn playing left-back.’

‘Burn played left back for an entire season when we got back into the UCL, we had one of the best defences in the league with him playing LB. Get off the bandwagon and use common sense.’

‘The gap is still there. 15 games and Newcastle haven’t been above Sunderland once.’

’15 games, not bad, that’s quite a lot of time.

I mean it’s not anywhere close to 9 years… but it’s still worthy of a pat on the head or something!’

‘There comes a point where you have to face the fact that Newcastle aren’t getting any better. Their league position does not lie.’

‘Maybe look at the table before making daft comments about league position, the table is ridiculously tight this season.’

‘Anthony Gordon back on form.’

‘On form? He was shocking! Lost count of how many times he gave the ball away.’

‘Don’t be silly.’

‘League position doesn’t lie?? It’s only 3 points off 4th position???’

‘If only I’d have read these comments before looking at the score.

I’d have been convinced that we’d beaten Newcastle easily or at least got a good draw.

Turns out they won and Burnley remain in the relegation zone. We don’t even have the consolation of a big European game midweek to cheer us up.’