A dream end to 2024 was wrapped up in style on Monday, as we finally got our first league win at Old Trafford since 2013 thanks to a ridiculously dominant first half display where all of the damage was done.
That made is five wins on the spin in all competitions, send us 10 clear of the Red Devils, back above Man City, up to fifth and just three points behind Chelsea in fourth.
Since that 4-2 defeat at Brentford, we’ve not only won every game convincingly but scored 13 goals and conceded zero, showing supreme confidence at both ends of the pitch heading into Saturday’s trip to an injury-riddled Spurs who we’d move 11 points clear of with a win.
It’s another big opportunity to keep the run going and build momentum heading into next Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal.
Eddie Howe’s pre-match quotes
Howe on our five-straight wins – “We have produced some very good performances; everything has really clicked. We have looked a good attacking side, but I think the most pleasing thing with the recent run is how well we have protected our goal, defensively we have been brilliant. We have had a lot of control in that respect.”
Team news
Fabian Schar is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card, Sven Botman is in contention to make the squad after overcoming illness and Kieran Trippier is OK despite being forced off at the hour mark at Old Trafford.
Nick Pope (knee) is back on the grass and in a good place, but Callum Wilson (hamstring), Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) remain out along with Emil Krafth (collarbone).
For Spurs, Rodrigo Bentancur is banned and their defensive crisis has gone from bad to worse, with Udogie (hamstring) now joining Romero, Van de Ven, Davies and Vicario on the sidelines.
Predicted line-up
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Livramento, Kelly, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
Trippier has started our last two and is thought to be OK, but I think we could see Livramento return for this game, allowing Trippier to come back in for Tuesday’s cup semi-final at Arsenal.
Elsewhere, it sounds like Kelly is the most likely candidate to partner Burn in Schar’s absence. Botman is back and will be in the squad, but it sounds like he won’t be thrown straight into the side just yet.
Other than that, the team picks itself after five-straight wins featuring some dominant displays in midfield and an in-form front three in Gordon, Isak and Murphy.
Match prediction
Spurs give you chances and struggle with high-intensity attacks that press Forster and Dragusin, who both seem incapable of playing our from the back.
That mixed in with our form, confidence and recent ruthlessness in front of goal bodes well, although I do think Spurs could get some joy at the other end in Schar’s absence, with a left-footed pairing of Kelly and Burn far from ideal.
If we’re at it in the final third, I think we’ll have a field day against a makeshift back four that rarely receives much protection.
Prediction: Spurs 2-3 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
Would you like to comment on the ignorant posts from sites like The Boot Room saying NUFC are planning to make a loss on Almiron by accepting £10m or less. His purchase price has been written off over the term of his contract. It won’t be a book loss for psr terms at all. Far too much media rubbish.
George Coquet(Quote)
Nufc should be bouncing after their recent run and this is a game they should be aiming to win to maintain that run and add another nail in the hopes of an alleged euro competitor.
It’s great news that botman seems to be close to being in the squad. I get the uncertainty around the likely pairing of Kelly and burn and while questions are valid as we haven’t seen too much of that pairing, the ridicule across social media is not.
As an aside, It’s curious that two right footed CB’s doesnt seem to create so much unease. They’ll have their hands full tomorrow i suspect and I’m not sure the team will be able to sit back as they did against manu.
HTL.
Jonesy(Quote)
Going to be a test for sure, but their confidence should help lift them.
kimtoon(Quote)
Spurs seem up for it. This will not be an easy match. Botman very rusty
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Isaaaak and another great cross from Murphy
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Need another goal or 2. I can see Spurs bringing on Maddison and Son for second half. This is unlikely to end 2-1 although that’s what I predicted.
A few missed chances again. Hope we kick on in second half, not sit back like we did vs Manure
Gilly Toon(Quote)
They beat us at our own game with a fast attack & early goal.
The good news is that didn’t affect us & we stuck to plan.
This nonsense of handball 🙄 it’s all that will be spoken about – but what’s he meant to do?!?!!! He hasn’t moved his hand to the ball & his hand was in a natural position 🤷🏼♂️.
I think Gordon & Isak should actually have 2 a piece in that first half. 2 very good goals – but they had big chances which they should have done better with imo.
We controlled the last 15-20mins of that first half & we need to keep it that way in the second half. We dropped off against MU but I don’t think we can afford to do that today.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Great mind Gilly 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
How is that not a penalty? 😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I’m not convinced on the pen. Only coz I think if that was Burn on Werner I wouldn’t be happy for it to be given
Sharpy17(Quote)
We need to get control though & another goal would be good
Sharpy17(Quote)
We’re doing it again 😡😡😡 looks more like going 2-2 than 3-1 … spurs really pushing since Son and Maddison came on
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Annoying. Hard watch this 2nd half. Don’t know if it’s the intention to sit back & shut shop but it’s risky – and **** to watch
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good result but we made hard work of that in the 2nd half
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well, despite the ref trying his best for Spurs, we managed to hang on. Great win in the end. Spurs came on strong in the second half. Chuffed but that was a nervy second half.
Gilly Toon(Quote)