Newcastle United

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Everton go in search of a third straight win when they host a Newcastle side awaiting their first Premier League away victory of the season. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's game (17:30 GMT).

Cards adding up for Everton

The Toffees made it back-to-back wins by beating Manchester United, though Monday's victory was anything but routine, with Idrissa Gueye becoming just the fourth Premier League player to be dismissed for an offence against one of his own team-mates.

It didn't prove costly on the night, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's strike inflicting United's first Premier League home defeat against 10 men.

Gueye, who now begins a three-match ban, has publicly apologised for his clash with Michael Keane and, according to manager David Moyes, also said sorry in the dressing room at Old Trafford.

Moyes was satisfied the midfielder acknowledged his mistake but also said "I quite like when my players have a fight", adding "I want them to be tough".

That certainly appears to be the case this season. The Merseysiders have been shown 27 cards so far in the Premier League, the division's fourth highest total.

Magpies' away struggles continue

Newcastle were impressive in last weekend's victory against Manchester City but Eddie Howe's side were brought back to earth by Marseille in midweek, with the French side scoring twice in the space of four minutes in a 2-1 win.

Surrendering leads away from home has become a recurring issue for the Magpies. They have gone in front in each of their past three games on the road but lost them all, also failing to capitalise on promising starts at West Ham and Brentford.

Howe insists Tuesday's defeat in France was "totally different" to those games, praising his side for how they dealt with the hostile atmosphere. However, the Englishman also admitted "there are certain areas to improve".

One of those areas could perhaps be in goal, with Nick Pope caught out for Marseille's equaliser on Tuesday. Pope needs to maintain high standards, with Aaron Ramsdale now providing high-class competition following his loan move from Southampton.

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe says he was "desperately disappointed" after Newcastle United fans were subject to "unnecessary" force from the police after his side's Champions League game in Marseille.

Newcastle are to launch a complaint with Uefa, Marseille and French police after what the club called "unnecessary and disproportionate force" from officers following the visitors' 2-1 defeat at Stade Velodrome.

Eyewitness Liam Phillips said Newcastle supporters were "treated like criminals" while fellow fan Darren Curry, who was also present in Marseille, added it was "very lucky that no-one got seriously hurt".

Club chief executive David Hopkinson spoke directly with Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis on Thursday about the matter.

And Howe made it clear that Newcastle did not want to see "any set of supporters anywhere in the world being disrespected".

"The one thing you want for your supporters is to go to the game, feel safe, enjoy the football match and travel home safely," the head coach said.

"We really appreciate the support from all the away supporters. To come the distance they did, I'm sure the travel won't have been easy regardless of when you do it.

"It's an extreme effort, extreme loyalty, and one thing we feel we should deliver for them is safety, so [I'm] desperately disappointed about that."

Marseille police acknowledged they made "very limited use of tear gas" following a crowd surge, as Newcastle fans waited to be let out after the game, but they denied any other use of force.

The French club stressed that the feedback sent to them by Uefa after the game "confirms the quality of the security measures implemented and their effective operational execution".

"The club cannot accept that its responsibility be wrongly called into question," a spokesman said.

"Finally, the club wishes to commend the rigorous and co-ordinated work of the police prefecture, whose actions ensured the smooth running of the event and the safety of all supporters."

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Howe began with an injury update: "Nothing major from the game [against Marseille]. We will have a good look at the guys today. Sven Botman has been nursing a back problem in the last few days."

• Kieran Trippier will be out for "around a month" after having a scan on a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the visit to Everton is "probably too soon" for Emile Krafth who "came back from international duty with a knee issue", but Howe confirmed it is not "too serious".

• On Yoane Wissa, who on Wednesday trained with the squad for the first time since his summer move from Brentford: "He is doing well. I was really pleased with how he looked. That's his first time competitively with the group. Let's see how he responds today."

• On a potential return date for the DR Congo international who suffered a knee injury while on international duty in September: "We've got one in mind, but it's probably best if I keep that to myself. We don't want to disappoint anyone. Of course, we want to involve him as soon as possible."

• Howe said "all options of course are on the table" when asked whether Aaron Ramsdale could replace Nick Pope in goal after his error in Marseille: "I need to think long and hard about who I pick and try to do that on merit. I get the luxury of seeing the players train and I will make my call."

• He described the treatment of Newcastle fans in Marseille as "desperately disappointing", adding: "It's very sad to hear because from my perspective, the most important thing is that everyone who goes to games is that they enjoy the experience, that it's a safe experience. My thoughts are with everyone who travelled and I hope they are OK."

• On the difficulties of navigating a busy schedule for Newcastle: "Obviously fatigue is the big one. Not always physical fatigue, sometimes it's mental fatigue. It can feel you are always preparing for a game which can bring different challenges. We are trying to keep things fresh."

• On David Moyes and Everton: "He is a manager I respect. Huge amount of respect for him and the way he handles himself. He has done an unbelievable job at Everton. They are playing well too and have some dangerous players, especially in the wide areas."

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

Listen to live commentary of Everton v Newcastle on Saturday from 17:30 GMT on BBC Sounds

You can also listen to more from Howe here

Matty Renton
Fan contributor

Supporter Matty Renton discusses Newcastle's complaint to Uefa regarding the treatment of fans in Marseille.

• Read more on the story here

Find more from Matty Renton at The Magpie Channel, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle full-back John Anderson believes Yoane Wissa is a huge miss for Eddie Howe's side at the moment.

The Magpies have scored 30 goals in 19 games across all competitions so far this season but only 13 in the Premier League and are languishing in 14th place. Anderson thinks they need 'different options' to take it up a level.

"We do need Wissa back, there's no doubt about it because you need two players who are capable of scoring goals for you," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"[Nick] Woltemade has come in and he's been great. He's a different type of player but the boy's got himself six goals. Harvey Barnes has now chipped in and got himself goals as well but we need Wissa. We need different types of options and at this moment in time, we haven't got them.

"We're playing [Anthony] Gordon through the middle - we played him there earlier in the season - and you can see it doesn't really work because he's not a natural centre-forward or, most importantly, a natural finisher.

"The sooner these boys are back fit [the better]. I have no doubt about Wissa at all."

Newcastle have won just three points in six matches on the road in the Premier League this campaign and Anderson partly puts it down to the loss of Alexander Isak.

"We played to Isak's strengths," Anderson said. "He complemented us but we complemented him in the way that we played.

"People may not like hearing this but, especially away from home this season, we've missed him because of the way we go about playing."

After defeat at Marseille in midweek, Newcastle are back on the road in the Premier League at Everton on Saturday.

Listen to the full chat on squad options here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views and experiences after Newcastle confirmed they will complain over the treatment of supporters by French police in Marseille on Tuesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Zack: Surely the only punishment for this kind of thing is to block them from hosting home games until the treatment of away fans isn't war-like. A £10k fine or whatever isn't going to change anything.

Russ: What a great stadium display from the home fans and atmosphere but the treatment of Newcastle fans not good. We were made to get to the ground via tube, which started transporting Newcastle fans from 16:30. We were in the ground from 17:15 and then couldn't leave until 01:00 and we were still not the last out. The toilets were flooding at the end of the evening into the area where we were made to stand in three centimetres of water. The police were very intimidating, heavy-handed and used indiscriminate excessive force. We were treated badly and there was no effort made to communicate with the Toon fans.

Jim: I was sprayed with tear gas.

James: What will it take for Uefa to establish the full facts and then take appropriate action against the parties responsible for abuse? I anticipate that a precedent has been set - e.g Champions Leaque final of 2022 in Paris but nothing of any substance. Would a ban on French clubs be fair? No, but they certainly could be made to play outside France to protect travelling fans. Would this bring about a change in police behaviour in France?

James: Why do we want to play in Europe? I don't. It is always the same, not just for Newcastle supporters. We should boycott European competitions. They are more trouble than they are worth.

Peter: I'm unfortunately not surprised. I had a very similar experience at the hands of police in Lyon following Manchester United a few years ago. The police were aggressive and brutal, picking individuals randomly from the queues at the turnstiles and forcing them onto buses (me included). Anyone who resisted was beaten with batons. I raised a complaint at the time but clearly nothing has changed.

Listen to more fan insight on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle will complain to Uefa, Marseille and French police over the "unacceptable treatment" of their supporters by French police after their side's defeat against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday.

The club says French police used "unnecessary and disproportionate force" on fans after the game through "a combination of pepper spray, batons and shields" with "numerous supporters being indiscriminately assaulted by the police".

Were you at the game?

What was your experience like in Marseille?

And what do you hope happens next?

Get in touch with your views here

Match of the Day's Stephen Warnock explains how Marseille were able to come from behind against Newcastle to win 2-1.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer

Crystal Palace are weighing up making a January move for Newcastle United's 26-year-old English midfielder Joe Willock. The Magpies could be persuaded to sell as they are keen to sign AZ Alkmaar's 19-year-old Dutch midfielder Kees Smit. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about the form of Nick Pope following the mistake he made in Tuesday's defeat by Marseille.

Even though Anderson defends Pope, saying he has not been as poor as some fans have made out this season, he still believes the Newcastle number one's Champions League performance could tempt Eddie Howe to give Aaron Ramsdale a chance in goal.

Should Howe drop Pope? Have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on Newcastle's loss to Marseille in the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Micky: The writing was on the wall with the teamsheet. Took an early lead but then Nick Pope did the unthinkable but the rest is history. Eddie Howe needs to put him out of the limelight and give our other keepers a run in nets.

John: A very entertaining game. Newcastle played very well, creating several good chances and had all the momentum in the first half. The momentum changed after Pope's mistake early in the second half, but we were unlucky not to get a deserved draw.

Harry: Terrible performance. Another very questionable squad from Eddie, the subs came on way too late and we were just sloppy. Pope had another disaster class. It is time he gets dropped as he hasn't been the same for a while. Jacob Murphy in defence is a joke and so is Lewis Miley in defence, even if Miley, unlike Murphy, played OK.

Stephen: Yes it is another defeat, but we had plenty of chances to at least draw. Mistakes cost us and it is time for Ramsdale to be given the number one slot.

Olie: Well, we played a system for Yoane Wissa, without Wissa but we had our chances and should have been out of sight before half time. Pope made a bad mistake and things could have been different without that too.

Rich: The early goal flattered our performance. The outstanding defensive display in the first half was turned on its head within a minute of the second half commencing. We must face some hard facts square on - Pope simply isn't good enough! Yet again, he commits a catastrophic mistake, which became the watershed moment in the game.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin says Newcastle's midfield may not be capable of performing with the required intensity every three or four days.

The trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton were excellent in Saturday's win over Manchester City but did not look as balanced when Joe Willock replaced the latter in Tuesday's Champions League defeat at Marseille.

"When Newcastle's midfield works brilliantly they can bully anyone and are absolutely phenomenal," Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Tonali is a fantastic player, a monster in midfield, Guimaraes has great skills, and you have the Joelinton power.

"When they work they are just such a handful. But then, when they're tired, you think 'oh, that's a massive difference'.

"They've got young players and other players they can bring in there but when those three aren't as a unit together, working really well, they are a much lesser side.

"They were brilliant against Manchester City but I don't think those three have it in them to do that every three or four days.

"That's basically the truth of it. They are very fine and strong players but can they do it to that level every three or four days? No.

"They haven't struck me over the past number of years that they are capable of doing that so Newcastle need a little bit more strength in depth in that midfield.

"That's why they want players like Lewis Miley to come in and be able to do that. They're desperate for a bit of cover in that area."

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It has become a familiar theme.

As good as Newcastle have been at home, they continue to struggle on the road - even when ahead.

Eddie Howe's side have taken the lead in each of their last three away games, against Marseille, Brentford and West Ham, only to lose all three.

And this defeat will certainly sting - just days after an impressive Premier League win against Manchester City at St James' Park.

But Newcastle only had themselves to blame.

The visitors did not press home their advantage, and will have been relieved to still be ahead at half-time after Marseille spurned a number of early openings.

But it was the French side who looked like they had a jolt at the break - not least Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Boss Howe felt the frontman looked "as good as ever" before this game, and those words proved rather prophetic.

But how Newcastle will rue their sloppy kick-off, even before Nick Pope's rush of blood to the head, after the visitors gave the ball away and failed to win a number of duels in Marseille's half.

Anthony Gordon had his head in his heads following Aubameyang's equaliser, but Newcastle's evening went from bad to worse just a few minutes later when he put Marseille in front to leave Fabian Schar stunned on the turf.

Howe turned to his bench - calling on Lewis Hall, Lewis Miley, Anthony Elanga and record signing Nick Woltemade - but his side never truly looked like equalising.

Remarkably, this team has won only once - 4-0 at Union St Gilloise in the Champions League - on their travels in all competitions in the last seven months.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe spoke to TNT Sports after his side's defeat to Marseille: "The effort was good. The 15 minutes at the start of the second half cost us. The goal straight after half-time changes the feeling around the stadium. It was a lapse of concentration from us."

• Hear more from Howe on BBC Sounds

Defender Dan Burn also spoke to TNT Sports: "We stuck to the game plan well. The start of the second half has cost us.

"We didn't start the second half as we'd wanted to. [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang is 36-years-old but showed his quality tonight. It's hard to break a team down in a stadium like this."

• Listen to Bruno Guimaraes speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Anthony Gordon looks set to lead the line for Newcastle United against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.

The England forward has recovered from a hip issue and replaces record signing Nick Woltemade in the starting line-up.

Dan Burn and Joe Willock also come in to the team as head coach Eddie Howe makes three changes from Saturday's win against Manchester City.

Marseille also make three changes as midfielder Darryl Bakola makes his full debut for the club - at the age of just 17 years of age.

Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg also return to the starting line-up.

Marseille starting line-up: Rulli, Weah, Balerdi, Pavard, Emerson, Vermeeren, Hojbjerg, Bakola, Greenwood, Paixao, Aubameyang

Subs: De Lange, van Neck, Egan-Riley, Garcia, Gomes, O'Riley, Kondogbia, Nadir, Mmadi, Vaz

Newcastle starting line-up: Pope, Murphy, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock, Barnes, Gordon

Subs: Thompson, Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Joelinton, Elanga, Woltemade, A.Murphy, Ramsey, Miley, Alabi

There are nine games in the Champions League on Tuesday, including three involving Premier League clubs, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Ajax v Benfica (17:45)

• Galatasaray v Union Saint-Gilloise (17:45)

• Bodo/Glimt v Juventus

• Borussia Dortmund v Villareal

• Chelsea v Barcelona - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City v Bayer Leverkusen - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Marseille v Newcastle United

• Napoli v Qarabag

• Slavia Prague v Athletic Club

Kick-offs at 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Barcelona" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Bayer Leverkusen", for instance.

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Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.