Newcastle United

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Newcastle United's Carabao Cup triumph could be the turning point that helps them secure Champions League football this season - that is the view of former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin, after the Magpies' 4-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

Newcastle have won all three Premier League games since their Wembley victory over Liverpool and now sit fourth in the table with a game in hand on many of the teams around them.

Impressively, their win also came without boss Eddie Howe in the dugout after the Newcastle manager was taken to hospital late on Friday.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Nevin said: "I give it more than a solid win. I think I saw something different in Newcastle United.

"I see them quite a lot, but there has been a step up since they won the trophy. Every player seems to have improved that bit more.

"There is something about that inner belief. Beforehand they thought they could win something, now they know they can. I could pick out any player but Dan Burn looked like a colossus in the game, it was extraordinary.

"They obviously did it for the gaffer - get well soon, Eddie - but just looking at the team and how they have grown now, I am struggling to see how they don't get a top-five spot now and I wouldn't have said that before the cup final."

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Jamie Smith from the Newcastle fanzine The Mag believes Newcastle's Carabao Cup success has only given the squad more "momentum" and a "laser-focus" on qualifying for the Champions League.

Eddie Howe's side have already qualified for the European Conference League play-offs as a result of winning the cup, but yesterday's win against Manchester United took the Magpies into fourth place and they have the chance to move into third when they take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Speaking about Sunday's game to 5 Live Breakfast, Jamie said: "From minute one it looked like we were running the show.

"It's difficult because when you get to this stage of the season we want that Champions League space, every game needs to be taken in your stride.

"It feels like it's worked out really well with our cup campaign coming to a conclusion earlier," he said. "You look across the next few weeks - we've got Aston Villa off the back of the Champions League, Chelsea off the back of the Conference League and Arsenal who might be off the back of a Champions League semi-final.

"We've just got that laser-focus on that Champions League place, it's very important we turn up against Palace on Wednesday because that's our game in hand and almost a free-punch but that could put us third and within punching distance of Arsenal."

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's Premier League win over Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Bill: An absolutely fantastic performance again from Newcastle. A great way to pay tribute to Eddie Howe, get well soon. Anthony Gordon has a battle on his hands to get back in ahead of Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali looks better by the game, he is some player.

Paul: When a quality team play as a team, which Newcastle did, against quality players who don't play as a team, like Manchester United, the outcome is inevitable. Only sorry that Harvey didn't get his hat-trick.

Stephen: If we sell Isak, so be it. We must, however, keep Tonali next season. A truly world-class footballer.

Man Utd fans

John: Dear oh dear. Architects of their own downfall. Too many basic mistakes. Players losing their footing in the first half. Again in the second. Trying to play out from the back when Newcastle were on a high press. Overplaying in their own defensive third. Terrible! Credit to Newcastle for doing the basics right and taking advantage of the mistakes.

Yusuf: That was an absolutely horrid performance from United. Despite the goal, we completely fell asleep and we allowed Newcastle to run all over us. It was such a disappointing match and something very hard to forget. Amorim has to make some changes fast before this can possibly become the end of his United journey. Not happy at all.

Usman: Something that is expected in all honesty! Just another underlining performance to show this season has been drab from the start and will be so until the end of the season. Amorim desperately needs the transfer window to come to get the players he needs in and the dead weight out of the club.

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"Some people say 'confidence is a hell of a drug' and that is what Newcastle have right now," said Nigel Reo-Coker describing the Magpies performance against Manchester United.

Sunday's win over United was also their 12th in 16 league matches and their fourth in a row.

"Since winning the cup, I felt like they were going to kick on to another level and that is what we are seeing performance wise," added Reo-Coker on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "They have Alexander Isak, one of the hottest strikers in the world right now, but they have a core strength in their midfield.

"You struggle to find a better balanced midfield than Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton when you combine all of their talents and attributes. They can win the ball, control the game, score and be physical, so they have everything.

"You can tell they are confident as a team and as a group of individuals."

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison added: "They have been relentless and they have done it without key players as well. They might have had no Anthony Gordon, but Harvey Barnes has stepped up in his absence and that is because everyone in the squad knows what they are doing.

"Jacob Murphy has been a revelation and even Isak, who has started to look tired, is still delivering.

"It's a big result for them against Manchester United and they definitely did play for their manager Eddie Howe, who we know is in hospital, and they are flying.

"Over the years United against Newcastle has been a really tight game, and I know United are not in good form, but Newcastle blew them away. Most importantly, they are in a great position to finish in a Champions League spot this season."

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Highlights and analysis from Sunday's four 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 Sunday's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich Town

• Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United

• Newcastle United 4-1 Manchester United

Newcastle United are interested in 17-year-old Racing Genk and Greece midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas, but they face competition from Bayern Munich, Napoli and several other Premier League sides. (Sun), external

Meanwhile, the Magpies have sent out scouts to watch 24-year-old Ivory Coast international Yahia Fofana at French club Angers, as they prepare to strengthen their goalkeeping options. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 4-1 victory over Manchester United: "Everyone is buzzing in the dressing room, It's come off the back of a few good results.

"It's been a weird week without the gaffer [Eddie Howe] being in, we spoke today about winning the game and hopefully putting a smile on his face. We know he wouldn't be missing games if he wasn't seriously ill.

"The work we do week-to-week - we repeat stuff, it's repetitive, so we know our roles. We went into the game today knowing exactly what we needed to do. It's just his voice and influence that hasn't been there this week."

"I'm playing with a smile on my face at the minute, enjoying being out there. I love playing football, love scoring goals, when you do that you can't help but enjoy it. That was reflected in the team as well. It was a good day at the office.

"Putting opponents under pressure and pressing is what we base our game off, making them feel uncomfortable, we pride ourselves on that. We've done it a few times this season, forcing opponents into making mistakes.

"We've got ourselves into a great position in the table, but we're just approaching each game as it comes. We know if we go and win our remaining games we will be in the top four."

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Newcastle United assistant manager Jason Tindall speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 4-1 victory against Manchester United: "Me and Eddie have worked together for 17 years, and in that time he's never missed more than a day or two, so he must have found it hard to be missing this week.

"All those years people have criticised me for being up at the front with Eddie... maybe that helped today!

"We went out and delivered a performance he would be proud of. Hopefully he is back very soon.

"Amongst our pressing was some fantastic football and some good goals."

On Harvey Barnes: "Harvey is fantastic player who scores a lot of goals. He's gone out and delivered a performance nobody is surprised by. I'm delighted for him, he's had to wait for his chance."

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

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Newcastle United are closing in on a Champions League spot.

The League Cup winners show no sign of slowing down at the business end of the season and their 4-1 dismantling of Manchester United was every bit as impressive as the scoreline suggests.

Newcastle are racing towards the finishing line after winning 12 of their past 16 league games.

Impressively, they have not taken their eye off the ball since triumphing at Wembley a month ago.

Victory over Manchester United was their third win in a row since securing a first major domestic trophy in 70 years.

If they defeat Crystal Palace at home in their game in hand on Wednesday, they'll go into next Saturday's big match at Aston Villa - who are also looking to qualify for the Champions League - in the top three.

What a tonic that would be for Eddie Howe after the Newcastle boss was admitted to hospital on Friday having "felt unwell for a number of days".

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Newcastle have picked the exact same starting XI for each of their last five games across all competitions winning all five of those matches, starting with a 1-0 win at West Ham in the Premier League last month.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

Man Utd fans, what did you make of their display?

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

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

• Chelsea v Ipswich

• Liverpool v West Ham

• Wolves v Tottenham

• Newcastle United v Manchester United (16:30)

All kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

It does feel like Ruben Amorim is steadying the ship at Manchester United but there is nothing much for them to get excited about in the Premier League and it could be a pretty dull end to their domestic campaign, especially because they are finding it difficult to score goals.

United's season is hanging on the Europa League now, but their Premier League results still matter for Amorim because he needs to put some credit into the bank going into next season.

I just can't see past a Newcastle win here, though. They are one of the teams in this race for the Champions League places and are in great form. Now we know the top five are guaranteed to get in, I am confident they will make it.

It just shows the value of winning the Carabao Cup because it seems like it has given them a big leg up.

They will have enjoyed themselves celebrating for a few days but now they are focused on making it into the Champions League, which is so important because of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

If they make it, it gives them the opportunity to build.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say

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There are lots of different perspectives in terms of how you watch a game of football, and I think for the majority of time the people in the stadium get the best atmosphere, but the worst views of how a game has actually gone.

You don't really get the chance to see multiple replays and have discussions about things, because you just get caught up in the moment.

With the incoming semi automated offsides, they did promise it earlier in the season - but I think the caveat was they're only going to do it when it's ready.

It is a positive that they didn't do it when it wasn't ready.

One upside to to the new technology is some of the arguments disappear. Previously you could say 'but it looks like it's this to me' or 'it looks like it's that to me'. When it is presented now, there aren't many people that will then be looking at the animation, going back to the video, and then going down a proper conspiracy rabbit hole.

So, it ends more arguments, not all arguments, but more arguments.

I think people, as a consequence, will be more accepting of it.

But, I still do believe that there's things for people to understand, because it can't be used in every situation. There are certain decisions which can still be a little bit more complex, and there's certain times where human intervention will still need to be brought in.

I wouldn't say it's as clear as, say, goal line technology, but it's a step in the direction to where most people feel more comfortable accepting the outcome and the speed of it as well will be encouraged.

It's not to say that it's going to be instant. If you believe this is going to be perfect, and always extremely fast, ask yourself, why do you think that?

Unless somebody has told you that from PGMOL, then take it with a pinch of salt and you see how it goes.

I think it's something that many people have seen before so hopefully there will be fewer arguments.

But, because it's football, there'll always be something to argue about the end of the day.

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On BBC Radio Newcastle, ex-Newcastle defender Steve Howey was asked if winger Anthony Gordon should come straight back into the side after his injury in place of Harvey Barnes.

Gordon hurt his hip while playing for England last month, with Barnes contributing to two victories since the international break.

Howey said: "I think that's a conversation the manager might need to have with the player himself. It wouldn't be my decision, it will be the player's decision. It's just how the lad feels really and you've got to manage it."

Listen to the discussion on BBC Sounds

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Earlier, we asked how many players have made more than 200 appearances for Newcastle.

The answer is eight: Shay Given, Alan Shearer, Shola Ameobi, Robert Lee, Nolberto Solano, Gary Speed, Fabricio Coloccini and Aaron Hughes.

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United assistant manager Jason Tindall has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at home against Manchester United (16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Tindall gave an update on manager Eddie Howe: "He's been really poorly over the past couple of days, he's been bed-ridden. We've been in contact every day so it's not affected any of the preparations. I'm sure he'll be fine for the weekend."

• He also provided an update on Anthony Gordon's fitness: "He's had a decent week with the physios. He was back out on the grass for a pitch session yesterday. We will assess him today and we will have to make a late call to see if he's available for the bench on Sunday."

• Alexander Isak has trained this week, "feels fine" and is expected to be fit for Sunday, while Joe Willock will not be available as the club follow concussion protocols.

• On two Premier League wins since the Carabao Cup final victory: "When you come off such a high there's always that potential where you could lose focus from the league form that is so important for us. We've delivered two good performances, not our best performances, but the most important thing was getting the results and the lads deserve a lot of credit."

• On the battle for Champions League qualification: "It's really tight. With eight games to go everybody is fighting. All we can control is our performances and what we do. It's important we go into every game and give the best account of ourselves."

• On the challenge posed by Manchester United: "It's another important game for us. We'll prepare the same as we did for Leicester. The lads know how important the game is with only eight games remaining. It's a game we're hoping to do well in and to deliver the performance we know we can to win the game."

• Semi-automated offsides will be used in the Premier League for the first time from this weekend: "Everyone welcomes any change that will make the league better and make these decisions a lot quicker. If it improves the speed of decisions then of course we welcome it for sure."

Listen to Tindall speak to BBC Radio Newcastle here

Listen to live commentary of Newcastle v Manchester United on Sunday from 16:30 on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

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Newcastle will play Arsenal in a pre-season friendly in Singapore this summer.

The Magpies will be part of the Singapore Festival of Football tournament and will play the fixture at the Singapore National Stadium.

The game will take place on 27 July, with manager Eddie Howe stating: "Pre-season is all about setting the right challenges to ensure we are ready for the new season,' said Eddie Howe. "So we're pleased to be playing against high-calibre opposition in an iconic stadium.

"Having Singapore as part of our pre-season will provide a special experience for supporters in Asia, and we're looking forward to seeing them and playing in front of them in July."

How many players have made more than 200 Premier League appearances for Newcastle?

Can you name them all?

Come back to this page at 17:00 BST for the answer