Newcastle United

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Eddie Howe for manager of the year?

The Telegraph's Luke Edwards says the Newcastle boss deserves the accolade after leading the club to the "most successful season in living memory".

The Magpies are guaranteed European football next season and not only is Champions League qualification in their hands, but so is the chance to finish in second place.

"It has been an incredible campaign, especially given the fact they didn't sign a player last summer to improve the first team," said Edwards on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "At the start of the season they were really struggling and inconsistent, so they were as low as 12th.

"There was some small murmurings at the beginning of December about whether Eddie Howe had ran his course and needed to be replaced - but look at them now.

"Over the past 20 games, only Liverpool have taken more points than them, plus they have won the Carabao Cup and ended their 70 year wait for a domestic trophy. It is in their hands to now finish second and equal their record for a highest finishing position in the Premier League era.

"It has been a brilliant season and I give loads of praise to Howe because it was in danger of unravelling at one point.

"Howe has cleared those problems up and he has turned it into the most successful season in living memory for Newcastle.

"He is my manager of the year."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of BBC Sport's Newcastle United Podcast has landed.

The Total Sport team are joined by the i paper's northern football correspondent Mark Douglas to discuss untold stories from his time covering the Magpies, including his dealings with Alan Pardew and Rafa Benitez.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Southampton 0-0 Man City

• Bournemouth 0-1 Aston Villa

• Manchester United 0-2 West Ham

• Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leicester

• Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-0 victory over Chelsea: "It was anxious in the second half, that was an interesting 45 minutes. We played really well in the first half, we were electric, but a mixture of things - the psychology of the game, the scoreline, 10 v 11 - it made it a difficult second half. I thought Chelsea did really well but we hung in there.

"The crowd were up for the game, the atmosphere was amazing.

"We're on the road to what we want to do this season, but there's still a lot of work to do and two tough fixtures to play.

"The size of the prize is huge, the players are aware of that. There was a worry when we won the trophy [League Cup] that there would be a negative consequence of that, but I think it actually gave us confidence."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United picked up their 20th Premier League win of the season, the first time they have won 20+ games in a single season in the competition since 2002-03 (21), which was the last time they finished in the top three of the division.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

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

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Five matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Newcastle v Chelsea (12:00)

• Manchester United v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Leicester City - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Crystal Palace - live on the BBC Sport website

• Liverpool v Arsenal (16:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 14:15 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

It's great to see two teams going head-to-head in this race for the top five and Chelsea probably come into it in better form after getting a great result against Liverpool on Sunday.

Yes, they were playing straight after Liverpool had won the title and the Reds had probably been celebrating all week, but they still had to put them away and they did that convincingly.

It means Enzo Maresca's side have won their past three league games so they will be full of confidence ahead of this one, but it's going to be tough for them to extend that run.

We know Maresca is a stickler for playing out from the back, but doing that against Newcastle is asking for trouble. The Magpies will put them under serious pressure, because that's what they do to teams at St James' Park.

Newcastle have got a very physical midfield which might be where the battle is won and lost, and of course Alexander Isak is such a threat too.

Chelsea have got match-winners too, if Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke are firing, and my first thought was that there will be lots of goals in this game.

With what's at stake, though, it might be a little cagier than that. I think the BBC readers will go for a draw but I am going to stick my neck out and say Newcastle will edge it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Liam MacDevitt
Football Focus

Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy is having the season of his career.

Murphy had two loan spells in the Championship in his first three seasons at Newcastle - with West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday.

His career has been somewhat of a slow burner. Until this season he had not scored more than four Premier League goals in a season.

"I do have targets, but I never try to force it," said Murphy.

"I always let it come to me if I'm doing the correct things. That's how the universe works, it'll always find you. This season it has been finding me.

"I have a great striker in Alex [Isak] to provide for and great experience behind me. Everything is clicking to help elevate my game and then I think my game elevates others."

Murphy was part of the Newcastle team that beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final in March - and set up Isak's goal to make it 2-0.

That was the Magpies' first trophy since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 - and their first domestic one since the 1955 FA Cup.

Murphy also played in the 2023 Carabao Cup final, which Newcastle lost to Manchester United.

"Wembley was amazing," said Murphy. "The feeling was a lot different this time compared to when we were runners-up a couple of seasons ago.

"We felt ready. We felt this was our time. The build-up was good. A lot less nerves. Once the game started something felt different."

Here more from Murphy in Football Daily on BBC Sounds

Read more about his journey

With the race for Champions League football reaching the final few hurdles, we asked our fan contributors of five clubs involved to let us know if their team will make the top five and if not, what happens next.

Here is what Matty Renton at The Magpie Channel, external had to say...

Here is what the other four contenders' fans thought about the race for Champions League football...

Man City will make the top five because "simply, we are one of the best teams in the country"

Chelsea will make the top five because of "belief generated" by win over Liverpool

Nottingham Forest will make the top five because of a "more favourable" run-in

Aston Villa will make the top five because "we know exactly what we need to do"

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we asked you to name the current Newcastle player from a series of clues.

The correct answer is Tino Livramento.

On the latest episode of his BBC Sounds podcast, Kyle Walker talks about Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool's title, the race for the Champions League and dealing with injury at AC Milan.

Listen to the episode

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier on Friday, Newcastle announced they will be making changes to their crest in a 'refine and revive' approach, external to modernise the historic badge.

A survey will be sent out to season ticket holders and members to offer their thoughts on how it will be shaped.

We asked for your views on whether the crest should be updated:

Mike: I like the current badge but let's see what option(s) are being proposed. It needs to retain our heritage and identity, and not just be updated as it makes something easier/cheaper to reproduce. Fans take pride in these things and don't want to be stuck with an embarrassing design for the next decade or so. Be good to have a ballot between options including retaining the current design.

Jamie: I see no need to change the club crest. It defines the club in an iconic way and should continue to do so going forward.

Paul: I don't think the crest needs to change as there are plenty of other ways to brand NUFC without changing the crest. This already takes place today and there's a plethora of logos new and old. The crest is iconic, at least to us supporters. The rationale provided for a change isn't strong enough in my opinion. I'm all for change but it needs to be justified and meaningful.

Stuart: There are certain things that should not be changed. It's a fine badge - leave it as it is!

Westy: I'm happy that we are in a new era for the club and may this era bring success. As for the club crest changing. I'm not a fan of that idea for two reasons. One: We've seen other clubs change their crest and they look terrible. It'll be the same with ours. I believe we have the best-looking crest in world football. There's just no way we can improve it. The second reason, (a pretty selfish reason) is I have the current crest tattooed on my chest where the badge usually sits on the shirt. The current crest is iconic - it's beautiful. It's Newcastle United how I've always known it in my nearly 31 years of existence.

Ian: I'm guessing a more basic crest would be cheaper to produce on merchandise and that allows for more profit. There is nothing wrong with the crest we have now. If it has to change, I would like to see the Tyne Bridge incorporated.

• Not a Newcastle fan? Find and follow your club here

There will be many reasons why Newcastle fans do not want the club badge to change, but those with it inked onto their skin may have a slightly more personal reason for their predicament.

The sentiment of history is - of course - deeply valued, but when something has been tattooed on to you there is no way of going back!

Magpies fan Matty, who has the badge tattooed on his leg, told BBC Radio Newcastle he is "shocked but not surprised" by their decision because a lot of other football clubs have made modernised badges in recent years.

He anticipates a circular badge and not the current shield shape, but as long as it "represents Newcastle in a good way" he is open to the change.

Image source, Newcastle United FC

Newcastle have announced they plan to update the club's crest but want supporters help in the "thoughtful evolution process".

Season ticket holders and members will be invited to take part in a survey that allows them to say what should stay the same, or could be updated, as they "Refine & Revive" the crest.

"This isn't a decision we take lightly," said the club in a statement, external. "We love our crest. It's iconic and has stood us through unforgettable triumphs and testing times.

"But it was created in a different era. Its intricate design doesn't always translate well in today's digital world. And it's difficult to reproduce it clearly and consistently.

"As football and the world changes, so too must the symbol that unites us."

What do you make of it?

Should the club's iconic badge be left alone or do you agree it needs updating to move with the times?

Let us know your thoughts

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Chelsea (kick-off 12:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Howe said there are a "couple of players being assessed" but that "we are OK and focused on the next match".

• The Newcastle boss however remains "unsure" whether Joelinton will play again this season because of his knee injury and explained the Brazil midfielder has been in Barcelona for treatment.

• On the race for the Champions League: "Every game we have between now and the end of the season becomes our biggest game of the season. We know the importance of where we finish in the Premier League and we are doing everything we can to finish as high as we can. There's a possibility it could go to the last game but all we can do is take care of our next opponent."

• On summer spending plans: "I don't know the intricacy of our financial position if we qualify but it doesn't change our targets and who we want to sign in terms of the pool of players we will look at. It's where we want to play and be in the highest levels of competitions as possible. We want to test ourselves to the absolute maximum."

• He described Dan Burn as a "standard-bearer" for the football club: "At the start of the campaign, if he could have written the dream season this would be very close. But he has not settled and he still wants to give more."

• On Chelsea: "In the game at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season they were excellent. It was one of our most difficult games of the season. Enzo [Maresca] is a very good manager and very clever with what he does. They've got great attacking players who can hurt us and so we need to be ready for that."

• Howe said it would be "unwise" to focus on Cole Palmer but conceded the Chelsea midfielder is "a huge goal threat" and Newcastle will "have to deal with his qualities".

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

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey believes Sven Botman's return to full fitness would be as good as having a new signing.

The Dutch defender has suffered numerous setbacks in the past couple of seasons including an ACL injury in March 2024.

"He's got to be thankful really of how medicine has moved," Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle. "Back in the day, ACL, you were done. All over.

"He has had problems with, I'm not sure, one knee or both. It's a difficult one because he is desperate to get back and you have to pull the reins on him. You play him too much and he will get other injuries.

"There is absolutely no doubt that the lad is a good player. He is big, strong, aggressive, can pass, can head and, if he stays clear of injury, he'd be like a new signing. It'd be a huge plus to the team."

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