Newcastle United

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Newcastle United goalscorer Jacob Murphy has been discussing the Magpies' confident win over Ipswich Town on BBC Radio Newcastle: "It was very good. It was enjoyable to be back in Norfolk and get a big win. We sent the fans home happy and it was a good day.

"It was good to see my goal go in, but such a quick start just set everything in motion for us. We are happy that it was a positive performance, especially being away from home.

"That is three wins in one week now, so it's about building momentum from that and that is a good start for us."

On scoring his goal: "I felt relatively close to the goal, so it was about making good contact with the ball. I know I've got the power, so if I keep it in between the sticks then I have a good chance of it going in."

On making a number of goal contributions in recent games: "I don't need to score and assist to be enjoying my football. For me, it's about making positive contributions. Whether you're occupying the space or tracking a run, you just have to give everything on the field.

"For me, goals and assists are bonuses. So it's good to provide, but you don't necessarily need the numbers to know that you have had a good game.

"It's not about who scores, it's about the fact that we score - that is a big ethos of mine. I feel like that is filtering through the team, we are becoming a lot less selfish and we are creating chances for everybody."

Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist at Portman Road

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Just when questions were being asked of Eddie Howe, Newcastle have responded with three fantastic victories in just over a week.

A 4-0 beating of Leicester, a 3-1 victory over Brentford to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals and now another four-goal success against a newly-promoted side.

Newcastle spring into the top half with this win, while it was a day to forget for Ipswich, who remain 18th, two points adrift of safety.

Howe's side took the lead after 26 seconds. They never looked like losing that advantage and this was surely their easiest win of the season. They were superb and outclassed Ipswich from start to finish.

Alexander Isak got his first Newcastle hat-trick and became the first Magpie to score a treble in the Premier League in five-and-a-half years. But a lot of the credit also had to go to Jacob Murphy as he scored one, got an assist for one and was heavily involved in the opener.

Eleven goals in three games, six points out of six and a place in the last four of the Carabao Cup. Christmas has come early for Newcastle fans.

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the win: "Absolutely delighted with the players and what they have given this week. It has been a really big week for us.

"Getting through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup was one of our big aims and our league form needed to improve, so brilliant to get back-to-back wins.

"We are just constantly trying to tweak things and trying to improve. There are a number of little things to upturn our form. Our creative play has been back to what it has always been - free scoring and looking like we can create at any time."

On Alexander Isak: "There is no doubting his quality. We just needed to get the framework of the team right to give him the opportunity to score. He has really responded well.

"The goals today just show his class and coolness in front of goal. With his speed and his technical ability, he has a bit of everything.

"The plan is that Sandro [Tonali] plays a little bit deeper than Joe Willock and Bruno [Guimaraes], but they are still given a freedom to express themselves and move.

"It's getting that balance right between the freedom and the structure, and I think they got the balance perfect."

On the upcoming January transfer window: "The message is that we probably, at this moment in time, need to concentrate on the players that we do have and get the best out of them, rather than looking externally."

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Alexander Isak is just the second Swedish player to score a Premier League hat-trick, after Freddie Ljungberg for Arsenal in May 2003.

It was Newcastle United's first treble in the Premier League since Ayoze Perez's hat-trick against Southampton in April 2019.

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Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been speaking to Premier League Productions about the win: "We have been playing so much better lately, and it has been showing in the results. It has been a long time coming for Newcastle.

"My first hat-trick here, I'm buzzing.

"Just scoring goals will give confidence, and help me and the team. It doesn't matter if it's one, two or three.

On fellow goalscorer Jacob Murphy: "He is really helpful and a team player. I'm obviously happy for him that he gets rewarded with goals too."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Ipswich's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

There are 10 Premier League teams in action on Saturday:

• Aston Villa v Manchester City (12:30)

• Brentford v Nottingham Forest

• Ipswich v Newcastle

• West Ham v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 17, he takes on Reverend & the Makers singer Jon McClure.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Maybe I should mention Mr Fields - an Ipswich fan who teaches my daughter - every week so the Tractor Boys stand a better chance of winning?

It worked for them last week, when they beat Wolves, but I am not sure it will have the same effect this time.

The strength of the Premier League means the table is so congested at the moment, with only six points separating Nottingham Forest in fourth and Manchester United in 13th.

Newcastle are 12th and have been very average at times, but they strike me as being a team who are in a false position, compared to what they are capable of.

The busy Christmas period could change the look of the table dramatically, and a couple of wins could catapult someone towards the top four.

Could that team be Newcastle? Yes, if they click, and I definitely fancy them here. Ipswich have not won at home yet this season and I don't see that changing this weekend.

McClure's prediction: 0-2

Newcastle should edge this. They have not been sparkling this year and Ipswich are decent, but Newcastle have got too much quality in wide areas.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Ipswich (15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Joelinton is "a little bit battered and bruised" and has "had a few stitches" after being taken off against Brentford with a bloodied ear. He will not be available for Saturday's game but will "hopefully be fit for the week after".

• On being drawn against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final: "We've had some good games against Arsenal in the last couple of years so we'll look forward to that. That's something on the horizon for us to really look forward to. We're all excited by that."

• He believes the win over the Bees can start a positive run: "There is a good feeling around the team at the moment. I'd like to think we're building some momentum but proof will be in what we deliver on Saturday."

• There have been "very loose discussions" about January transfer activity: "There hasn't been many discussions in great depth on January and that's because we've got a lot of games. I don't think that's our main focus at the moment, certainly not mine. But of course we're aware January is around the corner and we'll need to be reactive and ready."

• The Magpies will be training on Christmas Day: "It's an intense schedule for the players. When you're in this industry, you know that the Christmas period is slightly different but we enjoy it and the games around Christmas do have a unique atmosphere. They have a special feel."

• On opposite number Kieran McKenna and Ipswich: "He's a top manager - what he's done with Ipswich is incredible. A dramatic, steep rise going through the leagues with near enough the same group of players - it speaks volumes for his abilities to develop players and get the best out of each and every one of them. Even the games they've lost this season, they've been in all the games. Very tight matches, very competitive team."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Southampton could sell academy graduate Tyler Dibling, 18, if they are relegated from the Premier League, with Newcastle and Manchester United interested in the English midfielder. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab are interested in a cut-price deal for Newcastle's 35-year-old Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. (The I), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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The draw for the Carabao Cup semi-finals has been made, with Tottenham paired with holders Liverpool and Arsenal set to face Newcastle.

The two-legged semi-final ties will take place in week commencing 6 January (first leg) and week commencing 3 February (second leg).

Spurs completed the line-up for the last four with their victory over Manchester United on Thursday.

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We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final between Newcastle and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Howard: Newcastle United played really well and thoroughly deserved the win. I thought Sandro Tonali was man of the match with Bruno Guimaraes a close second. Anthony Gordon is now playing consistently well. A good game and by far the best team won.

Euan: Second great performance of the week. We dominated midfield with Tonali looking so classy in that number-six role. How good were his two goals? Howe finally has the balance right with this midfield and it's showing. Bring on the semis! I fancy us against anyone over two legs.

Simon: This game was on par with the Liverpool game - it had determination, passion and creativity. Every player was brilliant and professional. Shame about the bookings and losing Fabian Schar and Bruno but you cant have it all!

Wardy: Much better again. The hunger and intensity were there and we looked balanced. I'd like to see Alexander Isak being more proactive when the team presses but overall, it gives us hope that we can finally kick on.

Brentford fans

Jay: It's cost me the best part of £500 including travel and overnight stay. We were promised a really strong team. It's our third top level quarter final in my 47 years as a supporter and the management is more worried about three points on Saturday. What is the point?

Peter: Disjointed and lacking in any real belief that they could win with the side Thomas Frank put out. Sometimes it is hard to know exactly where he is trying to go with his tactics.

Paul: So poor away from home yet again. Some of Frank's decisions seem strange to me but then I'm not a manager. All along he's said we'll go strong in the cup and then changes so much. We're a real Jekyll-and-Hyde side: when we're good, we're reallygood but when we're bad, we're really bad.

Namish: The starting line-up was far too weak, even after Frank promised a strong team. Not starting Bryan Mbuemo or Mikkel Damsgaard harmed us, coupled with Ethan Pinnock's injury, and we never had a chance

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Newcastle defender Dan Burn says team-mate Sandro Tonali's "real composure" makes him suited to the slightly deeper role he occupied during Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Brentford.

Italy midfielder Tonali, 24, scored the opening two goals of the 3-1 victory and controlled the midfield for large periods in an impressive display.

Manager Eddie Howe says Newcastle are finally "starting to see the best" of their £55m signing who has returned this season after a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.

"He [Tonali] is great - he's just so calm," Burn told BBC Radio Newcastle. "He's one of those players who never seems to get too excited or too down. He's got that real composure about him.

"I think you can see his quality - one-touch passing, he's always looking to go forward and he does a great job defensively.

"It is great for me when you have got someone in there who can take on the information you give him from a defensive standpoint. I think he has does a great job with that."

When the Carabao Cup final is played in March, it will be 70 years since the Magpies last lifted domestic silverware but Burn believes his side have the quality to reach another showpiece occasion after losing to Manchester United in the 2023 final.

"It's something to look forward to," he said. "We have got a lot of games until then but we fancy ourselves over two legs against anyone so we will see who we get."

Listen to the full chat and hear from Howe on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Not having to balance European football going into the Carabao Cup semi-finals is a "big advantage" says former Magpies winger Chris Waddle.

On Wednesday, Eddie Howe's side booked their place in the last four alongside Arsenal, Liverpool and either Manchester United or Tottenham with a comfortable win over Brentford.

"The win will give Newcastle a lot of confidence," Waddle told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "If they can now put a nice little run together going into the semi-final then they will be in a good place.

"When you're a team who plays on the front foot and you have a lot of talented footballers, you need confidence and results. Scoring and creating breeds more confidence.

"That's what we saw from Newcastle a while back. When they were challenging for the top four, that is what they were all about and they lost that.

"But, it seems to be coming back.

"The advantage they have going into the semi-final is all the other teams at this stage are all involved in Europe. Is is more games for them to test their squads and they can get injuries and have multiple priorities.

"With Newcastle, it is seeing how high they can go in the Premier League and then they can have a free hit at the two cups.

"This is a big advantage as well. Newcastle are in a good position."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Wolves, Crystal Palace and Leicester City are all interested in signing 30-year-old Newcastle United and Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron on loan in January. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column