With Champions League secured, we head to Stamford Bridge for a final day clash with Chelsea; a club who’ve been the antithesis of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United since new owners arrived.
While they’ve been disorganised – both on and off the pitch – and a club in transition, we’ve barely let our levels drop all season, showing remarkable dedication and consistency from that opening day win over Nottingham Forest to today.
Securing our place in the top-four with one game to spare has been a huge achievement. Since Monday’s post-match celebrations at St James’ Park we’ve seen fans and players hit town to celebrate – a few first-team stars were spotted in Cosy Joe’s on Tuesday – but Howe will hope any hangovers have worn off as he bids to end a magical season with all three points against Frank Lampard’s Blues. After all, we’re still battling Man Utd for third, knowing a win could see us leapfrog the Red Devils IF they slip up at home to Fulham (unexpected, but hey, this is football – the UK’s gambling sites understand this the best).
Speaking about the game and securing Champions League football, the boss had this to say during his press conference on Friday morning,
“The end of the season has come at a good time for us because we would have been really stretched!
“I’m feeling good. It’s been a hectic few days. For me, it’s onto planning and preparing for next season straight away. It’s an incredible achievement and I’m so pleased we were able to do it in front of our supporters.”
“We’re looking forward to it. To next season and the challenge. We’ve started that preparation and when we get the draw and see who’s in our group, that’ll be when it really kicks in.”
Team news
Nick Pope has been ruled out following surgery on his hand, with Howe also confirming that Joelinton and Javier Manquillo won’t feature in our final day clash.
Joe Willock (hamstring) looks set to miss out alongside Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Ritchie and Emil Krafth.
For the hosts, Reece James has suffered another setback and will miss this one alongside Benoit Badiashile, Raheem Sterling, N’Golo Kante, Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell. Mason Mount is a doubt, but Lampard could recall Joao Felix and Thiago Silva.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett – Longstaff, Bruno, Anderson – Gordon, Isak, Saint-Maximin.
In goal, I expect Dubravka to replace Pope, with Howe talking up the Slovakian in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
At the back, this could be the ideal time to hand Targett a rare start and Burn a well deserved rest, although the lack of fit alternatives in midfield may mean Bruno, Longstaff and Anderson go again in the middle of the park. I do expect 17-year-old talent Lewis Miley to play some part, however. The local lad is one to watch as he waits for his Premier League debut.
In attack, it’s the perfect opportunity for Saint-Maximin and Gordon to show Howe what they can do heading into the summer. I think both start, although it’s a coin toss between Isak and Wilson. After a few weeks out wide, I’m backing the Swede to start in a central role here, allowing him to regain some rhythm in his preferred position.
Prediction
It’s tough to say who’ll start and equally unclear whether we’ll be at it for one last time this season or looking like a team with one eye on the beach now our work is done.
I think we’ll play with the shackles off and enjoy ourselves. Chelsea just want this season to be over with and look such a soft touch defensively, although they did create a host of big chances in their 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford a few days ago.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a game of goals that goes marginally in our favour. Saint-Maximin to sign off with a goal, giving Howe more food for thought ahead of a big summer at St James’ Park!
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Newcastle
HWTL!
I hope we go for it today. Chelsea are there to be beaten and if we can get third back from Manure it would be the icing on the cake. I think, Olly, you have team pretty much right I reckon.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yes would love us to leapfrog Manure.
Been a great season, lets go out with a win.
kimtoon(Quote)
I think it’s more likely Murphy starts right & Gordon starts left.
I think ASM days might be number with Newcastle – I hope I’m wrong coz I still like the lad.
If he DOESNT start today I think he’s gone in the summer.
Is it bad that I really don’t care today?! – I want us to win obviously, for us & for the fact I can’t stand how much smoke gets blown up Lampard.
But I’m more interested to see who goes down.
I really like Leicester & a big part of me hopes they stay up – but there’s a small part thinks Barnes & Maddison are more likely to be sold if they are relegated.
On the flip side, I couldn’t care less about Leeds or Everton so would be fine with either of them gone too.
Thinking in a real schemers way, if Everton survive I think they are in financial bother & their punishments from the PL might see them go down next season anyway, so tough call 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
A quick look at our bench makes it clear why we need to strengthen for next season
PremAndUp(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Gordon scores
kimtoon(Quote)
Dubs still got it
Targett down
kimtoon(Quote)
Fulham score
PremAndUp(Quote)
balls Tripps OG
1.1
kimtoon(Quote)
Mitrovic missed a pen too
kimtoon(Quote)
ooh Miggy, nearly
kimtoon(Quote)
Leicester ahead
kimtoon(Quote)
oh Miggy
kimtoon(Quote)
Miggy has had 3 golden chances
kimtoon(Quote)
Christ off the line and good save from Dubs
kimtoon(Quote)
Fuming that I cannot watch it. Sounds like Miggy is very very wasteful
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well apart from when Newcastle tried to control the game passively and allowed Chelsea onto them they’ve been the better side and but for almirons woeful finishing should be in front.
Hopefully Howe realises this team are not good enough to kill games through passive possession but need to be the front foot to control games
Very pleased for Gordon to score
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Gilly – you need a dodgy stick for next season mate! 😂.
Miggy has been wasteful – it’s the position most in need of an upgrade imo. I would happily sell him to fund it as well – I’d play Murphy ahead of him every time.
Maxi playing well & linking up well with Isak again and I like Gordon in this more central role as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bloody everton ahead, c’mon Bournemouth
kimtoon(Quote)
Gotta feel for Leicester mind playing well and 2.0 up but Everton ahead.
kimtoon(Quote)
unlucky miley
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh well. 4th it is then. Manure won so we would be 4th even with a win. Looking forward to the window now. It’s clear we need a lot of strengthening
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Everton survive
Gilly Toon(Quote)
worse luck
kimtoon(Quote)
gutted for leicester
kimtoon(Quote)
Gilly – I don’t think we need a lot of strengthening – but that right wing forward is definitely a position that does.
There after it’s more the quality in depth – though that said, I don’t want it to block progression for the likes of Anderson & Miley who I was pleased got their chance today.
4 or 5 in the summer I reckon and just keep looking each window.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d defo go after Harvey Barnes – I like him a lot. 12 goals this season – only 1 assist like.
Maddison only got 10 goals but 9 assists.
But 22 goals in a team relegated certainly suggests those 2 could offer our squad a lot – and mid 20s the both of them 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yes, I’d like to see both of those in mate
Gilly Toon(Quote)