Burnley 1-0 Newcastle United - A miserable Monday night again for the Magpies

The away side were rocked by an injury blow ahead of the game, with Mikel Merino picking up a back problem in training. Surprisingly, it was Mo Diame rather than Isaac Hayden who deputised in the heart of the midfield.

Sean Dyche's men did come out of the blocks the quickest, as they forced Newcastle back into their own defensive third, winning multiple corners and free-kicks.

It was Newcastle though, in typical fashion, who created the first real chance. A corner was delivered, causing mayhem in the Burnley box, which resulted in Christian Atsu poking a shot over the bar.

DeAndre Yedlin tried to get forward on many occasions down the right-hand side, but each time his final ball let him down. Ayoze Perez also failed to pick out his man when he found himself bearing down on the back four.

Newcastle had their first shot on target when Atsu and Jonjo Shelvey linked up, but the latter's fierce strike was straight at Nick Pope in the Burnley goal.

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Minutes later, after Diame gave away a needless free-kick, the delivery was eventually flicked on towards James Tarkowski, but the big centre-half could only hit the side-netting with an awkward volley.

Burnley were really beginning to make good use of Robbie Brady's terrific crossing ability, and they almost opened the scoring after Ashley Barnes got on the end of the Irishman's ball, only to head wide.

The second half began and this time Newcastle come out of the blocks the faster. Joselu played in Ayoze Perez, who curled a good effort towards the far post, but was denied by Pope, who made a fine diving save.

To say the match was uneventful is somewhat of an understatement. Barring a couple of openings for both sides, which ultimately ended in blocked shots and last-ditch tackles, it was a very dull game.

Jack Cork, who was impressive in the Burnley midfield, teed up a speculative 25-yard shot, but it sailed high and wide. That pretty much summed up the entire game until that point.

It seemed as if the game would die out and both teams would come away with a point, until Burnley burst to life and bagged the opening goal. Perez gave the ball away in his own half, which presented Cork with a chance. His shot was saved by Rob Elliot, but the follow-up cross was met by Jeff Hendrick at the back post, who slotted into the roof of the net. 1-0.

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Rafa Benitez rang the changes, bringing on Isaac Hayden, Jacob Murphy and Dwight Gayle, and his team did show fight and desire to get back into the game.

Joselu thought he had equalised with ten minutes to go, but his tame shot trickled wide of the post. Agonising for the Spaniard.

Shelvey and Hayden both tested the keeper from range, but Pope had an answer for everything that was asked of him. Burnley did see the game out in the end, and beat Newcastle.

After weeks of positivity, it is very much a case of crashing back down to earth for Newcastle United supporters. They will all be hoping for a much better performance against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.