Newcastle fans received plenty of presents under their trees this Christmas, with big wins both on Boxing Day and the day before New Year’s Eve.

First, Aston Villa were put to the sword in an intense affair at St James’ Park, which saw its fair share of contentious incidents and talking points. Then, on the penultimate day of 2024, Howe’s side raced out to a lead over Manchester United and never looked back, taking the spoils at a miserable Old Trafford and ending the week with six points out of six. Oh, and not a single goal conceded.

As always, it’s Sam here ready to break it all down for you. Happy New Year, and welcome to the Toon Review!

Villa Vanquished and Old Trafford Conquered

In a fractious face-off between two of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ challengers, festive cheer gave way to intense animosity on Boxing Day afternoon. This intensity was only heightened by the first-half red card shown to Villa striker Jhon Duran, after the Colombian stamped on the backside of United’s Fabian Schär. At half-time, Howe’s assistant Jason Tindall seemed to have been dismissed in the tunnel, but details are still cloudy as to what actually happened.

Before all this, though, Anthony Gordon gave Newcastle the lead in just the second minute of the match, curling a beautiful strike into the far top corner at a jubilant Gallowgate End. From where I was sat in the Gallowgate-Milburn corner, you could see from the trajectory exactly where the ball was going to end up. The Magpies were never truly under any pressure, and second-half goals from Alexander Isak (also known as the best striker in the Premier League) and Joelinton wrapped up a convincing 3-0 win on Tyneside.

Next up was an away trip to Manchester, to a ground where Newcastle’s have rarely had much to celebrate over the years. This time felt different though. With Manchester United’s (hilarious) struggles and the Magpies’ scintillating form, all the pre-match buzz centred around predictions of an away win for Howe’s side. These predictions were correct, as the away side bossed the game from start to finish. Newcastle’s elite midfield three outclassed the ageing Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, even going as far as to prompt manager Ruben Amorim to shake things up after merely 30 minutes of action. It was a bloodbath.

Isak continued the form of his life with an opening strike after just four minutes, and by the 19-minute mark it was two, as Joelinton’s downward header found its way past a hapless Andre Onana in the Manchester United goal. A lethargic home side could not muster anything to counter Newcastle’s barnstorming performance, and by the end of the night, Amorim was admitting that his side are now embroiled in a relegation battle. When it was all said and done, Newcastle ended 2024 in fifth place in the table, something that looked extremely unlikely to happen just a couple of months ago.

What Eddie Howe Said

Post-Aston Villa

“I thought the players were brilliant today. [It was] a really interesting first half an hour with 11 v 11. It was nip and tuck. I thought we were creating the better opportunities but Aston Villa were definitely in the game.”

On third straight clean sheet: “You need to have faith in your foundation. The bedrock of the team is keeping clean sheets and minimising chances. If you look at the last three games, we’ve done that really well.”

“We look like we’re confident and can score at any moment.”

On Jason Tindall’s sending-off at half-time: “I was trying to think about the last time I didn’t have JT alongside me on the sideline. I’m sure there might have been one or two examples. He was certainly missed.

Post-Manchester United

“We knew we had to try and keep the momentum we’ve built in recent weeks. We’re a very confident-looking team.”

“Regardless of where we play, we have to try and be the same team and stick to the same principles.”

On Alexander Isak: “His goal was really pleasing. He’s where he needs to be in the middle of the six-yard box. He can really make the difference for us.”

“We’re moving in the right direction defensively. It hasn’t always been easy for us this season. Recently we’ve had a solid, settled back line and I think that’s made a big difference.”

“Tottenham and Arsenal are two massive games but we’ll try and enjoy them and approach them in the same way we approached this one.”

The Rumour Mill: January is here!

Newcastle have set a price tag of £150 million on Alexander Isak in an effort to deter bids for the in-form striker. (Telegraph)

The Magpies are the favourites to sign Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer at the end of the 2024/25 season (Alan Nixon)

Miguel Almiron has received an offer from an unnamed Brazilian side, with Olympiacos and Charlotte FC also keen alongside Botafogo and Santos (The Mail)

Newcastle will have to compete with Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Paris St-Germain, Inter among others for the signing of Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche. (Caught Offside)

Newcastle are keeping an eye on the situation with Caomhin Kelleher at Liverpool, and could make a move for the Irish goalkeeper. (Teamtalk)

Abdukodir Khusanov is keen on a move to Newcastle United and one source believes a deal to sign the Lens centre-back is ‘pretty advanced’ (iNews)

Alexander Isak will stay at Newcastle if the club achieve a top-four finish this season. (The Sun)

On this Day…

On New Year’s Day all the way back in 1985, United enjoyed a fruitful derby victory over Sunderland, beating the Mackems 3-1 at St James’ Park. Going into the Division 1 fixture, Newcastle hadn’t won in their last five league games, so desperately needed all three points against their bitter rivals from Wearside.

Two goals from Peter Beardsley, including a 48th-minute penalty, had the hosts up by two until a Colin West goal from the visitors put them right back in the game. Any hope that Sunderland may have had of spoiling the day was soon crushed, though, as Beardsley completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute and sent the home faithful home happy.

A Look Ahead to 2025…

• Tottenham (A)
• Arsenal (A) (Carabao Cup SF first Leg)

If Newcastle were to come up with one New Year’s resolution, it would be to just charge forward and not look back. The whole side is clicking at the moment, and barring any major setbacks, United are right back on track for a European finish at the end of the season.

Two tricky away fixtures in North London beckon, but Newcastle will go to the capital with the most confidence they’ve had all season. Both games, in my opinion are winnable. Add in the incentive that a win against the Gunners over two legs would lead to a second Wembley trip in three years, and Howe’s side should be really up for it at the Emirates.

Toon Trivia Time!

Well done to everyone who got last week’s question correct. The goal scorers when United beat Villa 6-0 in 2010 were Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan x2 and Andy Carroll x3.

Let’s get into cup fever! Newcastle reached the final of the Carabao Cup in 2022/23 but fell to Manchester United at Wembley. How many goals did the Magpies score over the course of the competition that year?

I’ll see you next Wednesday, when hopefully we can break down another two massive wins for Newcastle United!

HWTL.