Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
Newcastle followers acquired loads of presents beneath their timber this Christmas, with massive wins each on Boxing Day and the day earlier than New Yr’s Eve.
First, Aston Villa had been put to the sword in an intense affair at St James’ Park, which noticed its justifiable share of contentious incidents and speaking factors. Then, on the penultimate day of 2024, Howe’s facet raced out to a lead over Manchester United and by no means appeared again, taking the spoils at a depressing Previous Trafford and ending the week with six factors out of six. Oh, and never a single purpose conceded.
As at all times, it’s Sam right here prepared to interrupt all of it down for you. Comfortable New Yr, and welcome to the Toon Evaluation!
In a fractious face-off between two of the Premier League’s ‘massive six’ challengers, festive cheer gave strategy to intense animosity on Boxing Day afternoon. This depth was solely heightened by the first-half purple card proven to Villa striker Jhon Duran, after the Colombian stamped on the bottom of United’s Fabian Schär. At half-time, Howe’s assistant Jason Tindall appeared to have been dismissed within the tunnel, however particulars are nonetheless cloudy as to what truly occurred.
Earlier than all this, although, Anthony Gordon gave Newcastle the lead in simply the second minute of the match, curling a wonderful strike into the far prime nook at a jubilant Gallowgate Finish. From the place I used to be sat within the Gallowgate-Milburn nook, you could possibly see from the trajectory precisely the place the ball was going to finish up. The Magpies had been by no means actually beneath any strain, and second-half targets from Alexander Isak (often known as the most effective striker within the Premier League) and Joelinton wrapped up a convincing 3-0 win on Tyneside.
Subsequent up was an away journey to Manchester, to a floor the place Newcastle’s have hardly ever had a lot to have fun through the years. This time felt completely different although. With Manchester United’s (hilarious) struggles and the Magpies’ scintillating type, all of the pre-match buzz centred round predictions of an away win for Howe’s facet. These predictions had been appropriate, because the away facet bossed the sport from begin to end. Newcastle’s elite midfield three outclassed the ageing Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, even going so far as to immediate supervisor Ruben Amorim to shake issues up after merely half-hour of motion. It was a massacre.
Isak continued the type of his life with a gap strike after simply 4 minutes, and by the 19-minute mark it was two, as Joelinton’s downward header discovered its well past a hapless Andre Onana within the Manchester United purpose. A torpid dwelling facet couldn’t muster something to counter Newcastle’s barnstorming efficiency, and by the tip of the evening, Amorim was admitting that his facet are actually embroiled in a relegation battle. When it was all stated and executed, Newcastle ended 2024 in fifth place within the desk, one thing that appeared extraordinarily unlikely to occur simply a few months in the past.
Submit-Aston Villa
“I believed the gamers had been good at the moment. [It was] a extremely fascinating first half an hour with 11 v 11. It was nip and tuck. I believed we had been creating the higher alternatives however Aston Villa had been positively within the sport.”
On third straight clear sheet: “You might want to think about your basis. The bedrock of the staff is maintaining clear sheets and minimising probabilities. For those who take a look at the final three video games, we’ve executed that actually nicely.”
“We appear to be we’re assured and may rating at any second.”
On Jason Tindall’s sending-off at half-time: “I used to be attempting to consider the final time I didn’t have JT alongside me on the sideline. I’m certain there may need been one or two examples. He was definitely missed.
Submit-Manchester United
“We knew we needed to attempt to maintain the momentum we’ve in-built current weeks. We’re a really confident-looking staff.”
“No matter the place we play, we’ve got to attempt to be the identical staff and follow the identical rules.”
On Alexander Isak: “His purpose was actually pleasing. He’s the place he must be in the course of the six-yard field. He can actually make the distinction for us.”
“We’re shifting in the best course defensively. It hasn’t at all times been simple for us this season. Lately we’ve had a strong, settled again line and I believe that’s made an enormous distinction.”
“Tottenham and Arsenal are two large video games however we’ll attempt to get pleasure from them and strategy them in the identical method we approached this one.”
Newcastle have set a price ticket of £150 million on Alexander Isak in an effort to discourage bids for the in-form striker. (Telegraph)
The Magpies are the favourites to signal Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free switch on the finish of the 2024/25 season (Alan Nixon)
Miguel Almiron has acquired a proposal from an unnamed Brazilian facet, with Olympiacos and Charlotte FC additionally eager alongside Botafogo and Santos (The Mail)
Newcastle must compete with Manchester Metropolis, Atletico Madrid, Paris St-Germain, Inter amongst others for the signing of Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche. (Caught Offside)
Newcastle are keeping track of the scenario with Caomhin Kelleher at Liverpool, and will make a transfer for the Irish goalkeeper. (Teamtalk)
Abdukodir Khusanov is eager on a transfer to Newcastle United and one supply believes a deal to signal the Lens centre-back is ‘fairly superior’ (iNews)
Alexander Isak will keep at Newcastle if the membership obtain a top-four end this season. (The Solar)
On New Yr’s Day all the way in which again in 1985, United loved a fruitful derby victory over Sunderland, beating the Mackems 3-1 at St James’ Park. Going into the Division 1 fixture, Newcastle hadn’t gained of their final 5 league video games, so desperately wanted all three factors towards their bitter rivals from Wearside.
Two targets from Peter Beardsley, together with a Forty eighth-minute penalty, had the hosts up by two till a Colin West purpose from the guests put them proper again within the sport. Any hope that Sunderland might have had of spoiling the day was quickly crushed, although, as Beardsley accomplished his hat-trick within the 81st minute and despatched the house trustworthy dwelling completely satisfied.
Tottenham (A)
Arsenal (A) (Carabao Cup SF first Leg)
If Newcastle had been to give you one New Yr’s decision, it might be to simply cost ahead and never look again. The entire facet is clicking in the mean time, and barring any main setbacks, United are proper again on observe for a European end on the finish of the season.
Two difficult away fixtures in North London beckon, however Newcastle will go to the capital with probably the most confidence they’ve had all season. Each video games, for my part are winnable. Add within the incentive {that a} win towards the Gunners over two legs would result in a second Wembley journey in three years, and Howe’s facet needs to be actually up for it on the Emirates.
Effectively executed to everybody who received final week’s query appropriate. The purpose scorers when United beat Villa 6-0 in 2010 had been Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan x2 and Andy Carroll x3.
Let’s get into cup fever! Newcastle reached the ultimate of the Carabao Cup in 2022/23 however fell to Manchester United at Wembley. What number of targets did the Magpies rating over the course of the competitors that 12 months?
I’ll see you subsequent Wednesday, when hopefully we are able to break down one other two large wins for Newcastle United!
HWTL.
