Newcastle thrash Burnley to nudge Clarets closer to relegation

Ruthless Newcastle pushed Burnley closer to the Premier League trapdoor with a 4-1 rout at Turf Moor that boosts their Europa League hopes.

It was a crushing afternoon for Burnley as Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win at Sheffield United left them five points from safety with only two left to play – a trip to Tottenham next week before Forest visit on the final day.

And it was the same old story. Vincent Kompany’s men began brightly and created a string of chances in the first 15 minutes but Callum Wilson scored from Newcastle’s first real attack 19 minutes in before goals from Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes put the game beyond doubt before half time.

Alexander Isak missed a penalty early in the second half but then got the fourth moments later as Newcastle moved up to sixth before Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace on Monday.

Dara O’Shea headed in a late corner but by then barely half the Burnley fans were still around to see it.

The Clarets had lost only one of their previous eight to get within touching distance of safety and started with a real buzz, winning a corner inside the first minute before early chances for Jacob Bruun Larsen and Lyle Foster.

Lorenz Assignon wanted a penalty in the eighth minute, charging into the box before Guimaraes barged into him and sent him sprawling but referee Anthony Taylor deemed it a fair challenge and VAR John Brooks agreed.

Newcastle were struggling to get close to Burnley’s box and the first time they did, Wilson was booked for simulation after tangling with Maxime Esteve.

But Wilson was celebrating the opener four minutes later. Tino Livramento led the charge downfield before the Magpies worked it wide to Jacob Murphy. Burnley goalkeeper Aro Muric denied Isak but the ball