After a seven and a half year wait, Newcastle United responded to recent setbacks with a dominant win Tyne and Wear derby win over Sunderland.
It was a professional, mature and dominant display over the Mackems, who looked a few levels below Eddie Howe’s Mags as we cruised to a 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light thanks to a first half own goal from Dan Ballard and second half brace from Alexander Isak; who netted both in front of 6,000 Geordies in the away end.
It feels like a huge moment in our season and just what Eddie Howe and the players needed on the back of a brutal December. The pressure was on and the home side had ‘nothing to lose’, but it was men vs boys. They were outplayed from start to finish on a day that can hopefully kickstart our season.
Howe made two changes from Monday’s 4-2 defeat at Anfield, seeing Kieran Trippier and Miguel Almiron replace Tino Livramento and Lewis Miley. This saw Joelinton drop back into a midfield three, Miggy return to the right wing and Burn continue at left-back against our local rivals.
We dominated the first half and didn’t give the Mackems a sniff. We had 72% of the ball, were winning our midfield battles, looking after the ball much better and limited them to just one shot in 45 minutes (zero on target) in the opening 45 minutes.
Longstaff had three chances – the biggest one with his head in the opening few minutes – and failed to convert each one of them, but our dominance told and we took a deserved lead through a Sunderland own goal. Bruno’s ball down the left to Joelinton was perfectly weighted, the Brazilian burst past Hume and his wicked cross to Isak was sliced in by Ballard; who almost brought down the Swede when bursting clear on goal moments earlier.
The opener. 💪 pic.twitter.com/ZJ7G1nqzbK
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 6, 2024
It looked like a Premier League vs Championship and we were good value for our lead, even if we hadn’t quite hit first gear against a Sunderland side who just couldn’t keep the ball or cope with our physicality.
Almiron has had his critics of late and almost volleyed home after Bruno’s back-post pick out, but he was doing a good job in and out of possession, tracking back well to keep Clarke quiet and linking up nicely with Trippier; who had plenty of joy on the overlap.
One concern before the break was Joelinton holding his hamstring. He came out for the second half but quickly signalled to be substituted – but not until we took a 2-0 lead! Miggy’s pressing forced Ekwah into an error and the Paraguayan kept his head to square to Isak, who did the rest by slotting home. A dream start to the second half and the Mackems punished, giving us a two-goal advantage.
Isak’s roar! 😍🇸🇪⚫️⚪️#NUFC
— NUFCblog.co.uk (@NUFCblogcouk) January 6, 2024
Miley replaced big Joe and Sunderland responded with their first period of pressure, where Pritchard’s long-range effort clipped the bar before Gordon went into the book following some handbags with Hume and Ballard.
O’Nien then made a last-ditch block to deny Almiron a deserved goal as we went within a whisker of making it 3-0. The game was in danger of bubbling over as Bruno and O’Nien then picked up cynical yellows, yet we remained in control and went close once again as Gordon fired a right-footed effort just wide in front of the Toon Army.
Sunderland fans were heading for the exits five minutes from time and it was probably just as well, as Gordon was hacked down by Ballard for a 90th minute penalty. Isak stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his 13th of the season. 3-0 Newcastle and absolutely priceless scenes at the Newcastle United end, just as thousands of Mackems scurried out.
Every Mag played their part, but Bruno ran the show in midfield, Miggy was superb on his return to the side, Trippier dealt with Clarke effortlessly, Gordon was back to something near his best down the left and Isak showed his class in big moments to bury the Mackems.
Next up, Man City at St James’ Park next weekend; a game that has a completely different feel about it following today’s well deserved derby win! GET IN!
STARTING 11: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
SUBS: Karius, Lascelles, Krafth, Dummett, Hall, Livramento, Ritchie, Miley, Parkinson.
Speed in which the article is out is a reflection of the ease of the win i guess
Nufc we’re dominant and Other than a brief spell after the 2nd goal had the game by the neck without playing in 1st gear.
Easiest derby win I can remember and long may that continue
On we go
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Thought we were excellent. We played the perfect game, stayed calm & moved the ball round really well.
It was ultimately 3 mistakes from them but that’s coz we pressured them into making them.
Isak would have scored the first. Brilliant pressing for Miggy for the 2nd & good counter attack to win the pen for the 3rd.
Thought Bruno & Joe bossed the midfield in the 1st half – while Longstaff proved my point he needs replacing. Miley struggled to get into the game imo but it was already over by the time he come on.
Burn did ok but a few times was showed up for pace. Has to be Trips & Tino full backs for me.
Classy win & have to mention both sets of fans 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. Hopefully no nonsense to follow.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree Sharpy17
Longstaff doesn’t know how to shoot body position all wrong, doesn’t know how to get his foot over the ball and keep his head in the right position when shooting.
As I said before the match Livramento had to start before Burn.
Let’s hope we get back on track, two really difficult matches coming up in a proper league 😂
Joseph(Quote)
Longstaff has already been replaced as a starter but until the injuries / suspensions resolve themselves he’ll be a regular I suspect.
If burn is fit I’ll be very surprised. Not sure why liveramento not playing more regularly but it’s worth remembering he’s not that long off a very serious injury.. Maybe Howe protecting him a bit ??
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I think the dominant performance could take away from just how big a result that was today.
A derby game is a real banana skin at the best of times, but with our away form being as poor as it’s been (only Sheff Utd have a worse away form this season) and our form in general not being good – today had the risk of being a real headache.
All credit to Howe because the players were calm, disciplined & very professional in their performance. They stuck to their tasks & moved the ball so well.
The clean sheet was important today because they score, the crowd gets up & they come at us with nowt to lose.
It was a very clinical win and a very solid performance at a difficult time for the team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Great win. I was a tad nervous before the game and it didn’t help when we wasted a few good chances. All came good though. Mackems very lucky to keep 11 on the pitch. Probably jus5 as well for them that there was no VAR
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yep good win, we could of gone up a gear or two too. At times it looked like we were playing a training match. Got the job done, can’t ask anymore.
Miggy didn’t give them a minutes peace today and Bruno was awesome too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Wondering what folks thoughts are about the experience of watching a high profile game without VAR?
I thought the ref missed a couple of things; Clark challenge on botman and Ballard foul on isak for example, but not sure VAR would’ve overturned on-field decisions if I’m honest.
I enjoyed the game better as a spectacle and the goals specifically were much easier to enjoy rather than waiting on var.
I thought when introduced, VAR would help, because my preference is to get things right. It’s not working out that way tho’, so unless they start to address VAR issues I really do think in-game tech should be limited to goal-line decisions with marginal decisions like offside just accepted as part of a fluid game.
Reserve var style review after a game to retrospectively apply red/ yellows for bad challenges, cheating and intolerable behaviours from off and on field staff and players
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Go west, sensible post I’m inclined to agree.
kimtoon(Quote)
GoWest – I’ve said a few times on here that football should follow the example of other sports when it comes to VAR – which let’s not forget the A stands for ASSISTING, but has actually taken over.
In rugby the on field ref tells the video ref the passage of play THEY want reviewing – there’s no going back to look for reasons.
There is no reason why when a ref blows their whistle to given a decision or waves a decision away, why they can’t make the review gesture to tell VAR to look coz they couldn’t see clearly.
VAR isn’t the problem, it’s the way it’s used in football – because it has absolutely improved other sports.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Joelintons injury didn’t look good yesterday. I was pleased to see him come back out for the 2nd half thinking they’ve had time to work on it through HT.
But it was early in the 2nd half he wanted out – hopefully it’s not too bad.
He’s a bad one to lose for City imo. We’ll miss his physicality & athleticism against them.
If he is out, then I’d like to see Howe go 3 CBs (based on the players we have available).
Lascelles over Miley for the City game for me.
————-—— Dubravka———————
—– Lascelles – Schar – Botman ——
Trips ———————————-—— Tino
———- Longstafff — Bruno —————
—-Almiron ————-——- Gordon —-
———————— Isak ———————-
Schar can pass the ball round well & can step into that DCM position when needed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Before var can be sorted out the laws must be standardized over all authority’s. Starting at the bottom and working up – Shirt pulling is cheating but is hardly ever given. Handball is just a nightmare!-Offside takes stupid to another level, when can a knee or an elbow, even an eyelash over a line be an unfair advantage? For goal line, penalty area or not, works well but the rest is left too other peoples interpretation and that varies vastly. Add to the mix -dangerous play, -diving, (throwing yourself over another’s leg a la Grealish and others.
Only hard and fast rules observed and administered by referee’s with var too ASSIST as Sharpy rightly says will work. At the moment var is just adding another layer of controversy, and time wasting
nutmag(Quote)
Fulham away 😡. We cannot get a break in any of these fucking cups can we.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So another away cup game then.🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Gilly, suppose we should be grateful it’s not one of the top 4
kimtoon(Quote)
I guess so Kim, but would’ve much preferred a home draw at least … oh well. What will be, will be
Cmon Wigan! lol
Gilly Toon(Quote)
lol .. no surprise the toon are away again in the cup. Fulham should be a decent opportunity and the game may have some spice after the recent game at sjp
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Long time since Steward was on
Icedog(Quote)
What’s your thoughts??
In an injury littered season & football bans, I’d be interested in people’s opinions on our strongest 1 to 11 if Howe had everyone fully fit & available to him (including Tonali).
Beyond that, who still makes the squad & helps us compete for those European spots in the coming seasons – and who doesn’t & could be let go – then your conclusion on which positions need strengthening (all based on a 25 man squad).
Sharpy17(Quote)
Now.
GK; pope
DEF; Trippier, Botman, Schar, Livramento
MF; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton
ATT; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Subs; Dubravka, Burn,Targett, Willock, Miley, Longstaff or Anderson, Wilson
I’m assuming 433 and no Jan incomings. There’s variations depending on opposition, home/away. The starters/ finishers would swap in and out for formation tweaks too
Hard to discuss future without a novel so I’ll leave it at core, subs and squad with an end summer window in 2025 timeline
My +1’s are new players and I’m assuming no ill effect from longer injuries/ bans
Core
GK; Pope
DEF; Trippier, Botman,Livramento +1
MF; Tonali, Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton +1
ATT; Isak, Gordon +1
Subs;
GK; +1
DEF; Schar +1
MF; Willock, Anderson
ATT; +1
The core and subs are the first team choices with rotation options given schedule, competition, and opposition. This also accounts for the fact that I haven’t seen enough of Barnes to decide
Squad; Longstaff, barnes +3
I think that’s 25.
I’m trying to PSR realistic and in line with stated aim of club to progress not bust the bank for immediate success. I think there’ll be an upcoming contract extension for longstaff.
I genuinely have no idea what’s going on with hall so have discounted him as well as academy and loan players who I know little about
Of that group I suspect season 2024-25 will be it for several including some of the core
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
GoWest – I’d probably agree with that 11 though not seen enough of Tonali yet – maybe Willock for the goal threat (but we’ve not spent £55m for him not to be in I’d expect 🤷🏼♂️).
I suppose I’m looking at to take us through to the end of next season as a timeline (obviously some beyond that as well – but thinking the likes of Trips, Schar, Wilson will be coming to their end). The players we keep
GK – Pope & Dubravka
RB – Trippier & Tino
LB – Target, Hall?
CM – Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Willock
WF – Gordon & Barnes
CF – Isak & Wilson
Obviously Miley is too young to need to be added to the 25 man squad which is the only reason he’s not on the list – a list of only 14 players & Hall is only on there coz it seems we are tied in to buy him.
The players not on my list are the ones I think are very replaceable over the next 3 windows (budget permitting).
But when you consider that 6 of my 14 man squad are long term absentees, I suppose it shows just how and why we have struggled so badly this season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
GoWest – I’ve just spotted a massive error – CBs 🤦🏼♂️
CBs – Schar, Botman & Lascelles
That takes the list to 17 – though Lascelles is toss a coin really but gets in as a squad player & based on the time line being through to next summer. He got in on recent performances covering for Botman.
Keeping Lascelles would still create 8 vacancies to bring in improvements (again over the next 3 windows) Those for me would be:
1 GK
1 CB
1 LB
1 DCM
1 CM
2 FWs
1 CF
GK – young to develop under Pope & eventually replace him.
Left footed CB as cover for Botman.
First team LB as I think we are very weak in that position.
Tonali would be DCM for me, another in the squad is needed.
Joelinton & Willock would be left sided CM for me with Bruno right sided – the additional CM would be right sided as cover for Bruno.
2 WFs is pretty obvious. Gordon & Barnes are a given – 2 to compete with or cover them.
1 CF – young to develop under Wilson & Isak & cover their injuries.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I note but haven’t read either article about keys and Bruce as they’re just not relevant in respect of NUFC.
I guess it’s a light day for news on the toon 🤣🤣
The club are well beyond any need to give credence to either of them and maybe this blog should move on.
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Aye sharpy, I think we’re mostly agreeing on numbers needed altho im not convinced a dedicated DCM is anything but short term to address injuries
How possible that is remains to be seen and that’s why I dropped in my comments on the likelihood to sell some of the big money senior players; eg botman, isak or guimaraes and to be clear I’m not advocating just acknowledging the necessity with PSR rules.
I’m an unapologetic fan of tonali and even tho I haven’t seen him too many times he just looks the part to me and somewhat perversely I like that he’s looks a misery🤣🤣
I feel a little sad for the players who have contributed so much to get the club moving but are likely to be replaced or become fringe players ( and I’m talking burn, almiron, longstaff, Murphy as examples).
All those players have and will continue to give all for the club. They have improved but their ceiling is not at the level to deliver NUFC’s ambition, but that doesn’t equate to the vitriol levelled at them
The player im really conflicted over is joelinton who feels so important to the team functioning well but is not taking them to where they want to be. I think ( and I hate to say it) he also could be dropping away around the end of 2024-25
Money permitting, I would prioritise in order
i) starting RWF and LB
ii) substitute upcoming CF behind Isak and before Wilson
iii) 2nd upcoming Centre half behind schar
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I’ve long thought PSR is a means to protect the PL cartel clubs. That may not have been the intent but it is the result
So with clubs accounts being made public today here’s a snippet of more PSR timeline insanity
* Clubs Submit accounts by 31 dec 2023
* PL announce Breaches by 14th Jan 2024
* Clubs respond by 28th Jan 2024
* Independent ruling before ‘early’ April 2024
* End of season 19th May 2024
* Clubs appeal independent ruling by 24th May 2024 with no deadline on a decision.
It’s that last line that’s a kicker. It’s possible clubs may not know the consequences of busting PSR before seasons end thus preventing planning for PL or championship and European competitions or not the following season.
Putting aside the question of why clubs should abide by PL governance when the PL themselves can’t apply the f’kin rules in a timely manner it’s More evidence why the toon are absolutely spot on to take PSR seriously
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
GoWest – from what I can tell we have complied with PSR but are at risk of breaching FFP – which is just ridiculous when you consider how much the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea and other teams have spent on players during a similar period.
If a club is operating in the danger zone where they are just keeping their heads above the water – I understand the rules being enforced & penalties being issued.
But when a club is on the up and up and posting returns the way NUFC are – I’m sure Darren Eales said the Adidas & Sela deals aren’t part of these figures just released – meaning we are clearly continuing to financial growth.
I know that will be offset by the lose of CL money – but we will still be financially sound.
It’s nonsense when City & Chelsea are known to have breached their rules and yet no punishment has been dished out – nor will it be.
I respect our club & its staff for doing everything in their powers to operate within these rules – I have zero respect for the PL who clearly dance to the tune of 4 or 5 clubs in this league & have the brass neck to call it fair play.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We still Minteh to come in as well, and he looks promising!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – yeah you’re right there mate and whatever happened to Kuol??
He seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth having been once talked about as one of the best young prospects in World football.
He seems to have had a few bad loan spells which is a real shame because I think under other stupid rules we can’t actually bring him into the club.
I know we can loan players from Saudi, but maybe we need to loan him to a Saudi club so we can have a bit more of an influence on his development.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think the BUT is overshadowing things – the BUT being we are at the limits of FFP and can’t sign players.
What precedes that though should not be taken for granted.
We see how far we’ve come footballing wise with cup finals & champions league football.
But when these figures are released and ahead of time to prove we’ve got nothing to hide – it shows the unbelievable work those behind the scenes are doing too.
I’m mindful that Ashley left the club rock bottom, so I could have gone in and started making the club money in the first year or 2.
But certainly not the amount that Eales and the team are delivering – but more than that for me, is the decision they are making for the club while raising these funds.
I know the partnerships with Sela & Adidas aren’t included in these latest figures either – and to be honest I think they have probably only just started when you consider Spurs are turning out double & City more that 3 times what we are.
I trust those at our club now. I believe they understand the fabric of NUFC & what is important to the fans.
I don’t see them running it as a business. Yes business decisions will need to be made, but at the core of everything will be the football.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I thought they were the same thing. PSR are the rules while FFP is the term ( noun) describing the rules
Very happy to be corrected
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Sad to hear about the passing of Annie Nightingale.
Outstanding R1 DJ and OGWT presenter from the 70’s and 80’s and beyond offering alternatives to mainstream pop.
A huge influence on my music preferences and I enjoyed Many happy evenings listening to Annie
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
GoWest – my understanding is FFP is a UEFA regulation and PSR is the PL equivalent – but I’m also happy to be corrected.
Chelsea were financially penalised by UEFA for breaches while Roman was in charge – but have yet to be charged by the PL for the same breaches believe it or not.
It was breaches disclosed by the new owners when they were going through the books while buying out Roman.
UEFA investigated & acted immediately – the PL said they would investigate then stood by and watched Chelsea spend another billion on players because their PSR had loopholes allowing them to give longer contracts.
Sharpy17(Quote)