On Monday night, Newcastle recorded a 2-1 victory at Burnley to add to the home sides problems. Newcastle established a two-goal lead in the first 23 minutes through an own goal from Ben Mee and a Ciaran Clark strike. The home side did get a goal back just before half time, but it was not enough to get the Clarets back into the match.
Newcastle have hit form
Newcastle started their Premier League campaign in disastrous fashion, failing to win in their first ten league games of the campaign. However, the Magpies are now on an unbeaten run of four league games, including three straight wins in the Premier League.
The recent winning run has moved the north east side out of the relegation berths and up to into 13th place in the league table. Somehow, Rafa Benitez’s team are now five points clear of the relegation zone and in form.
The team’s performances and results are in stark contrast to those only early league games when the Magpies were starting to look like relegation fodder this season. A home game against West Ham, which they are favourites to win, gives the Magpies a big opportunity to record four straight league wins.
Burnley still in major danger
The result may have been a great one for Newcastle’s prospects, but Burnley’s alarming form continues. The Clarets have now failed to win in their last six league games while suffering defeats in four of their last five league games.
A major problem for Sean Dyche’s team is that they have just been conceding far too many goals in the top-flight. The team from Lancashire have conceded at least twice in four of their last five league games. For a team that has been built on solid defensive foundations in recent seasons, this is a woeful record.
Even the Clarets usual strong home form has become a major worry, as they have now won just once in nine league outings at Turf Moor, suffering six defeats in the process.
Their poor recent form has seen the Clarets drop to 17th place in the Premier League table, just a point above the relegation zone. Only Premier League new boys and bottom teams Cardiff and Fulham have worse goal difference too.
Sean Dyche needs to start turning things round in a swift manner. With league encounters against Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton in the next six games, the Clarets could be in for a tough month or so.
Bottom team’s results are improving
This season’s relegation battle in the Premier League could be a tight one. For a while, Cardiff, Fulham and Huddersfield were struggling for points. However, recent performances have improved for both Cardiff and Huddersfield, while Fulham recorded a 3-2 win over Southampton in Claudio Ranieri’s first game in charge at the weekend.
The likes of Burnley and Southampton, now relatively established Premier League teams look to be facing a battle for survival this season. Both may not survive the drop this season, which in Burnley’s case would be a massive shame for the affable Dyche.
Can Burnley pull away from the relegation zone?
