Newcastle 3 PSV 0 and match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players

We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 3 PSV 0.

Newcastle progressed to at least the play-off stage of the Champions League with a comfortable win against a good PSV side.

But it was only comfortable because Newcastle worked hard to make their opponents extremely uncomfortable, forcing them into error after error.

All three of our goals had their roots in defensive lapses – PSV were petrified.

We were on the front foot from the get-go and just wouldn’t allow PSV to play their game. Even when they did get up the park, we defended with aplomb. That is dispiriting for any team.

After our second went in, I felt PSV’s heads went down, and apart from a couple of flurries, they never really looked like they believed in themselves.

I was pleased to see Newcastle United start the second half on the front foot, and that led to Harvey Barnes powering through to score an excellent third goal. We even kept at it after that and ended up with a comprehensive win and a vital three points.

As Man City found out 24 hours beforehand, there really aren’t any easy games in the Champions League. PSV battered Liverpool 4-1 and Napoli 6-2 earlier in this campaign, and before tonight they hadn’t lost a single away game all season. So this game could have gone badly for us.

Credit to the players for making sure it never looked like it would.

Nick Pope 8

Didn’t have a lot to do but did everything he had to do well.

His defence made sure that there wasn’t a serious attempt on target, only a couple of non-threatening crosses to deal with.

Kieran Trippier 8

Good game – solid rather than spectacular.

His experience was invaluable.

Knew when to hold, knew when to go.

Nice touch to pass the captain’s armband to Lewis Miley when he was subbed off.

Malick Thiaw 8

Nullified any threat that PSV posed.

Looked pretty comfortable all night.

Sven Botman 9

His best game since his return.

Commanding, aggressive, good on the ball.

Looked like a colossus.

Lewis Hall 9

Another top showing by Lewis.

Not much the lad cannot do.

Beaten once as far as I can remember, but other than that, quick and strong in defence, and never afraid to take the ball past opponents and turn defence into attack.

Sandro Tonali 7.5

Not at his best but an improved showing from Sandro.

Good stamina, just the right amount of aggression, and some decent touches.

Positionally, looked like a fifth defender for much of the game, but it worked.

Bruno Guimaraes 7

The big news regarding Bruno is that he went off before half time with an ankle injury.

To be honest, he had a bit of an indifferent game to that point – his passing was off and he looked less sharp than of late.

Having said that, it was his quick thinking that led to our first goal.

Joelinton 9

My Player of the Match.

Managed his aggression well and pretty much dominated the midfield.

An assist for our first goal and nearly everything he tried came off.

A few weeks ago, some Geordies felt his time here was coming to an end. I think not.

 

Harvey Barnes 8

A quiet first half, although he did get on the end of a few long balls and held them up well.

Not the most influential player in black and white but I did love his goal. A powerful burst through the PSV defence, used both feet to beat his men, and a typical unerring finish.

Yoane Wissa 9

He’s getting there.

A goal and an assist and a constant threat to the PSV defence.

Narrowly missed getting a second goal but he’ll be happy with his night’s work.

I see the powers that be made him Player of the Match; that should give his confidence a boost.

Anthony Gordon 8

Another fine CL display from AG. PSV needed to win this game, and that meant we didn’t have a low block to deal with.

So Anthony had more opportunities to have a go at them and that he did.

Scored another goal and his constant pressing spooked our opponents

SUBS

Lewis Miley 7

As ever, neat and tidy in midfield, and then equally comfortable at RB for the last few minutes.

Doesn’t try the spectacular and that is not a criticism.

Finished the night with the captain’s armband and a big smile on his face.

Jacob Ramsey 6

A decent showing – confident, athletic and composed.

He had some doubters – including me – earlier in the season, but he’s looking the part now.

Anthony Elanga 6

Shown some love by the crowd – well done everyone – and that seemed to lift him.

Looked like he wanted it.

Nick Woltemade 6

One decent attempt with his head and his footwork was the usual mix of good and average.

But I liked that he got into the box a bit more than usual.

Joe Willock N/A

Not on long enough to judge

Newcastle 3 PSV 0 – Wednesday 21 January 2026 8pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Wissa 8, Gordon 30, Barnes 65

PSV:

Possession was Newcastle 54% PSV 46%

Total shots were Newcastle 11 PSV 6

Shots on target were Newcastle 4 PSV 1

Corners were Newcastle 3 PSV 1

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 29 PSV 11

Newcastle team v PSV:

Pope, Tripper (Willock 87), Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton (Ramsey 72), Bruno (Miley 48), Barnes, Gordon (Elanga 72), Wissa (Woltemade 72)

Unused subs:

Thompson, Ramsdale, Alex Murphy, Neave, Shahar