Newcastle don't even need £100m flex in front of special guests as Man Utd pressure on - 5 things

Newcastle United took one giant step towards European qualification at Turf Moor with a comfortable 4-1 win over relegation-threatened Burnley. The Magpies condemned Sheffield United to the Championship last week and Vincent Kompany's side now look nailed on to join them in the second tier next season.

For Eddie Howe's side, however, the Premier League table is a glorious sight for those in black and white. Newcastle have leapfrogged Manchester United, who play on Monday evening, into sixth-place thanks to goals from Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak on the road.

Here are five things we learned from the clearcut Newcastle win.

READ MORE: Burnley vs Newcastle United AS IT HAPPENED

Away woes banished

Before Saturday's 3pm showdown, Newcastle had won just four of their 16 away games in the league; the same amount as Brighton, Crystal Palace and Brentford. After only 10 minutes of action, it looked like that poor record may well worsen.

Burnley burst out of the traps, looking like a team very much fighting for their top flight future. Vincent Kompany's men missed early chances through Jacob Bruun Larsen and Lorenz Assignon in the opening stages and would come to rue them. Though. Newcastle, at first, looked like they were struggling to get a grip of the tie.

Fans have witnessed shaky Newcastle starts at Fulham and Crystal Palace just this year, with those matches resulting in very different outcomes. At Craven Cottage, Newcastle rode their luck before pouncing late to seal three points in a west London smash and grab. At Selhurst Park, the north east outfit were deservedly beaten after never finding their feet on the opposite side of the capital.

In the early stages at Burnley, it looked as though as similar pattern was emerging. Instead, Newcastle found the first goal through Callum Wilson and never looked back. After the opener, the visitors kicked on and found another goals before the half-time break.

£100m changes not needed

Eddie Howe this week confirmed he had welcomed key men back onto the training pitch in recent days but few expected all three returning stars to make the matchday squad on Saturday afternoon. There was shock, mixed with delight, when Nick Pope, Joelinton and Miguel Almiron emerged from the team bus outside Turf Moor 90 minutes before kick-off.

Newcastle's bench subsequently looked unfamiliarly strong as the aforementioned trio took their places on it from the outset. Pope wasn't called upon but Howe did use Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, along with Harvey Barnes, in the second-half when the tie was all but over as a contest.

Very rarely has the Newcastle boss had £100m worth of talent ready to emerge from the sidelines this season, and in truth, the trio didn't need to be risked during the impressive victory given the comfortable away lead by the time they entered the fray. But Howe will no doubt be pleased to welcome back two integral members in the closing stages of a game lacking in tempo and tenacity.

With three massive fixtures remaining in the race for Europe, having the ability to mix things up will be key for Newcastle after a season that has been nothing short of gruelling.

Man United feel the pressure

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has started to feel the pressure in recent weeks, with the threat of an INEOS-inspired clear out both on and off the pitch potentially looming ahead of what promises to be a busy summer at Old Trafford.

Though before the Dutchman can think about what may come in the coming months, he must first try and navigate his team into finishing above the Magpies in the battle for sixth. After Saturday's result, the Red Devils are now once again playing catch up in that race, sitting one point Howe's men.

Should Newcastle stay there between now and the end of the season, it would all but certainly guarantee them Europa League football next term, depending on how the FA Cup final plays out between Manchester United and rivals City.

That will all come out in the wash in the weeks to come, but for now, Ten Hag must take his stuttering stars to Crystal Palace on Monday night knowing Chelsea are breathing down their necks - and this resurgent Newcastle have won four of their last five league outings.

England chances given a boost

Turf Moor was awash with special guests watching on from the comfort of the director's box, including north east legend Sir Brendan Foster and Burnley-supporting, former Labour comms chief Alastair Campbell.

Sat just along from the famous duo was England manager Gareth Southgate, who took his seat alongside Burnley chairman Alan Pace. The Three Lions boss was actually in Newcastle during the week before being treated to some positive displays from his England hopefuls in black and white on Saturday.

Callum Wilson was arguably man of the match during his 70-minute cameo, with the striker finding the net and linking up play extremely well in the final third. The 32-year-old has had such a rotten season when it comes to injuries and has subsequently fallen behind the likes of Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney in the England striking pecking order - but performances like the one he produced on Saturday will certainly give the boss food for thought.

As for Anthony Gordon, it would be nothing short of a travesty if he does not receive a ticket on the flight to Germany this summer. It is as though the Newcastle winger just knows when Southgate is in attendance as he produced another stellar showing in the presence of the England boss.

After assisting Bruno Guimaraes' third goal, Gordon won his sixth penalty of the campaign before Alexander Isak missed from the spot. He can do no more in his hunt for a spot in that 26-man squad.

Newcastle can't stop scoring

Eddie Howe has consistently played down any comparisons between his current Newcastle side and the fabled 'Entertainers' but this crop of talent has now done something even the free-scoring side of 30 years ago could not manage.

Newcastle have recorded their best ever goals scored tally for a 38-game Premier League campaign, having netted 75 times with three games remaining. Had Howe's backline of 202/23 transferred their rock solid form of last season over to this campaign, the Magpies may very well be in a title challenge with Manchester City and Arsenal.

Before Dara O'Shea's late consolation, Newcastle were on track to record their eighth victory of the season by a four-goal margin. Instead they had to settle for a three-goal advantage as they head into their final three outings of the campaign with their confidence high and all their attacking options fit once again.