3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Union Saint-Gilloise 0 Newcastle 4 | OneFootball

Wednesday night’s match ended Union Saint-Gilloise 0 Newcastle 4.

Ahead of each match we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the game.

Plenty to talk about after this one!

On this occasion it is ‘Matt Busby said to Joe Harvey…’:

POSITIVES

A stroll in the Lotto Park

That was a very accomplished victory at the home of RSC Anderlecht last night and we are up and running in our Champions League campaign.

It was never in doubt, with some stand out performances from those in black and white – Tonali (as usual), Woltemade and our two central defenders especially caught the eye.

Gordon despatched both penalties with aplomb and it was pleasing to see our other Anthony show glimpses of what he’s capable of.

Add to that, we still haven;t conceded on the road, which is impressive stuff.

Woltemade ole ole ole

A goal on his Premier League debut and now a goal in his Champions League debut for Newcastle United.

The bloke is a menace in and out of the box.

I love his link up play and I know it’s been said before, but he’s so fleet of foot for such a big guy.

Whichever idiot sanctioned that transfer fee from Stuttgart should take a bow.

Super Subs

After his brace against Bradford in the League Cup, it was great to see Will Osula with the assist for Harvey Barnes, who himself notched for the first time since mid-April.

NEGATIVES

Ticket Allocation

Despite Union Saint-Gilloise being forced to play at a bigger stadium a few miles from their own ground, the ticket allocation for the travelling toon army was somewhat restricted and it’s less than clear how many were made available by our club to ‘normal’ fans.

In addition, swathes of empty seats behind the goal where the United fans were housed wasn’t a good look considering hundreds (thousands?) travelled to the Belgian capital unable to gain admission.

Wissa, Ramsey and Livramento

On Sunday, Tino became our latest injury concern and we are missing three big players so early in the season.

Imagine if this trio had been in contention last night?

The Champions League Table

Now up to 11th in the Champions League table.

Had we taken our chances against Barcelona on match day one, we could have been looking very comfortable indeed.

That said, we’re still above the scousers this morning!

Union Saint-Gilloise 0 Newcastle 4 – Wednesday 1 October 2025 5.45pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Woltemade 17, Gordon 43 pen, 64 pen, Barnes 80

Union S-G:

Possession was Newcastle 57% Union S-G 43%

Total shots were Newcastle 13 Union S-G 17

Shots on target were Newcastle 6 Union S-G 6

Corners were Newcastle 5 Union S-G 7

Touches in the box Newcastle 24 Union S-G 15

Newcastle team v Union S-G:

Pope, Trippier (Schar 83), Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno (Hall 73), Joelinton (Miley 59), Tonali, Gordon, Woltemade (Osula 73), Elanga (Barnes 73)

Unused subs:

Ramsdale, Thompson, Krafth, Willock, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy

(Union Saint-Gilloise 0 Newcastle 4 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)

((Union Saint-Gilloise 0 Newcastle 4 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Union Saint-Gilloise 0 Newcastle 4 – Champions League arrival! – Read HERE)