Did you know? published at 16:47 7 November 2024

This is the first time Nottingham Forest will play Newcastle in a top-flight match while above them in the table since March 1989, when they drew 1-1 at the City Ground.
This is the first time Nottingham Forest will play Newcastle in a top-flight match while above them in the table since March 1989, when they drew 1-1 at the City Ground.
At a news conference on Thursday, England interim head coach Lee Carsley spoke about Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, who have received their first call-ups to the senior squad.
"Both players who have played a lot of minutes this season and showed they can play at a high level," said Carsley.
"I know them both really well. Taylor is a player who really deserves it, he's a brilliant captain. Lewis has taken his time to settle in but has shown he can be consistent. He's got a great left foot."
England interim manager Lee Carsley has named a 26-man squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Greece and Republic of Ireland.
Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall and Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis have received their first call-ups to the senior side, with Saints' Aaron Ramsdale one of three goalkeepers selected.
The only other uncapped player in the squad is Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, while there is no place for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers.
These will be Carsley's final two matches in charge before Thomas Tuchel becomes Gareth Southgate's full-time successor from 1 January.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton).
Defenders: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton).
Midfielders: Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Curtis Jones (Liverpool).
Forwards: Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham).
The latest Total Sport Newcastle United podcast has landed.
Presenter Raul Kohli and Newcastle United commentator Matthew Raisbeck are joined by footballer Michael Chopra to discuss his Magpies' career - from becoming an academy graduate to playing at St James' Park.
The former striker also reveals all about being a ball boy, playing in the Champions League, and his gambling addiction.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Young Newcastle fan Korey had been trying to get Bruno Guimaraes' match worn shirt for two years and he was finally able to get his hands on it on Saturday after the Brazilian midfielder helped the Magpies beat Arsenal.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Korey told The Total Sport team how he's "a massive fan" of Guimaraes and "it felt like a dream" to get his favourite player's shirt.
Listen to the full clip on BBC Sounds
Charlotte Robson
Fan writer
What a difference a week makes.
This time last week I sat down, attempting to be positive, after a dreadful Newcastle United performance at Chelsea. Seven days and two games later (one Carabao Cup, one Premier League) and we have won both, advancing to the quarter-finals of a domestic cup and putting a spanner in the wheels of the title race for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
What changed? Everything seemed to.
The team selection for both games was spot on (I was not convinced by it when it came out this weekend but it turns out I do not know everything - an unwelcome shock).
Our players seemed fitter and stronger than they have in a while. And, crucially, a bit of our characteristic 2022-23 nastiness returned, showing us how much we have missed that physicality and spiciness on the pitch.
This was typified by Arteta's post match comments that Newcastle "dragged them into it" and are "good at what they do". I can only assume that he means beating Arsenal at St James' Park.
Eddie Howe's response was that it is "irrelevant what anyone says". That kind of attitude certainly trickles down to the squad from management and you could see players like Sean Longstaff, Joelinton and Joe Willock embody it over the past two games.
It is also worth pointing out that Newcastle - and in particular Howe - have made a name for themselves in managing to respond to poor performances over the past few years.
Howe has said he prefers to be the underdog, to have something to prove. Well, over the past week he proved he can answer the questions we have been asking lately.
I wish it had not come down to some poor performances and people being discontent, but I am happy things seem to be on the up.
This weekend's fixture at Nottingham Forest now looks huge...
Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external
Arsenal have identified Alexander Isak as their top transfer target, although Newcastle United would demand a fee of about £100m for the forward. (Teamtalk), external
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Newcastle and Arsenal.
Here are some of your comments:
Newcastle fans:
Craig: The performance the fans have been waiting for this season. We controlled the game with and without the ball. Seemed confident to play the ball out from the back, creating space out wide. Fully deserved win. Will enjoy this one for a while.
Jack: Unbelievable performance from the whole squad. Defended incredibly well and played some great football. Confidence is just starting to come back. Well worth staying up watching it in New Zealand.
Dave: Superb performance, every duel won. Hunting in packs without the ball, intelligent when in possession, relentless pressing. Newcastle in this form and at SJP are potentially the toughest fixture of the season.
Cliff: An all round performance but this time we took a chance and we never looked like conceding which is exactly the type of team we want to be. Yes it’s great to win 5-3 but a solid midfield and defence is of the utmost importance. One-nil to the Toon sounds great and may there be many more of them, with the occasional goal fest. This game is the blueprint.
Arsenal fans:
Julien: Changes made too late today, with not enough cohesion and I think other teams are sussing out our game play. We need to be more dynamic and creative, especially considering our injuries. Not enough fight, their mindset needs to shift dramatically to have any chance of winning the title.
Pete: Probably the poorest performance of the season. Very little in the way of creativity - perhaps Nwaneri should have played from the start. Little support for both Saka and Martinelli apart from allowing them to run at the Newcastle defence in the the hope of a breakthrough. Only time will tell if it’s a bad patch or something more serious.
Richard: That's the title challenge over. It's been a stuttering start for Arsenal and it just hasn't clicked. Losing Odegaard has been huge. It's a third or fourth finish now. Time to focus on a domestic cup for a trophy. No chance in Champions League either.
Savs: A dreadful and lacklustre display. Once again the ball was moved too slowly allowing the Newcastle team to get into a defensive shape. Our only point of attack appears to be Saka, but Hall played him superbly. In defence we were too passive and Newcastle played through our press with one touch passing. Something we appear incapable of. A bad day!
Newcastle United have placed Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo on their wanted list, with Brentford setting a price tag of about £50m for the 25-year-old. (Football Insider), external
Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.
If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle came into the match against title-chasing Arsenal sitting 10th and without a win in five Premier League games.
Their results have not always been reflective of their performances but at St James' Park on Saturday Eddie Howe's side got the three points their display warranted.
Alexander Isak's header from Anthony Gordon's sumptuous ball into the box on 12 minutes gave Newcastle the lead and the hosts never looked back.
They dictated play and, while the Magpies created chances, it is perhaps in defence where Howe will be most pleased.
Full-backs Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento nullified any threat from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the flanks as the home side defended resolutely.
Newcastle must now hope they can use this performance to build moving forward as they try to replicate the impressive fourth-place finish achieved in the campaign before last.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to BBC MOTD after today's game:
"You have to be really strong mentality and know results will turn if you continue to do the right things. It has been a difficult week with the fixtures but the players have done really well.
"There was a better feeling in training after the Chelsea win, as if pressure lifted slightly. Today's performance was built on hard, work , desire and a lot of really good defending in the second half. I thought we looked good."
On the winning goal: "I wouldn't say it is a trademark goal for Alex but really pleased to see it. Anthony can give you that on his natural right hand side and it was a great ball.
"It was always going to take a moment like that as it was a game of few chances."
On his side's performance: "It was 95 minutes of concentration and consistency in our attitude. We managed and controlled some very good players pretty well today.
"It's three points but it means so much because we hadn't won for a while in the Premier League. I'm sure it will do us the world of good."
Newcastle goalscorer Alexander Isak has been speaking to TNT Sports after today's victory: "That was massive, against a big team. It means a lot to the fans that we can win this game."
On scoring 12 goals in his past 12 home league games at St James' Park: "It's special of course, our fans are amazing every game, win or lose. So it gives you an extra boost. I have been successful here so hopefully I can keep going."
On his goal and the cross from Anthony Gordon: "The cross was amazing, I just had to jump and put my head on the ball, so credit to him."
On taking his chance when it came: "Important. Arsenal have a strong defence and so it is a difficult task but I'm happy we could score today and keep a clean sheet."
And on the importance of Newcastle using this victory as a springboard: "We've had a bad spell but hopefully this win can be a bit of an icebreaker for us."
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Newcastle’s performance, external
What did you make of Arsenal’s display?, external
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 10 he takes on The Piano TV series winner Brad Kella.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
This is a bit of a grudge match after what happened when Arsenal went to St James' Park last season and lost to a controversial Anthony Gordon goal.
Newcastle are on a run of five league games without a win, but they have been a little unlucky during that spell. They are creating plenty of chances, but just not scoring enough of them.
I worry about Arsenal in the final third too, though, because they are wasteful as well.
The Gunners really need a win here to cling on to the tail of leaders Manchester City, but my gut feeling is that Newcastle will get something out of this game, and it has got a draw written all over it.
Brad's prediction: 2-2
I need Arsenal to lose this game but I'm not sure Newcastle will beat them, so I'm hoping for a draw.
Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.
Newcastle v Arsenal - 12:30
Bournemouth v Manchester City
Ipswich v Leicester
Liverpool v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Nottingham Forest v West Ham
Southampton v Everton
Wolves v Crystal Palace - 17:30 - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off 15:00 GMT unless stated
Newcastle United commentator Matthew Raisbeck on the latest episode of the Total Sport podcast: "I know there's frustration about results and performances because everyone wants the same outcome, they want Newcastle to be playing like they did two seasons ago and at time last year.
"It hasn't been there yet. There are plenty of reasons why.
"They are at a point now where the pressure has increased because there haven't been the improvements that fans want to see. But when the game is going on the supporters are always behind the players. They were really vocal against Chelsea at home and the support was there for Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall. So even if there are frustrations about substitutions, the line up or PSR, the respect and admiration for him and what he has done, what he has made Newcastle over the last few years, is still there."
On BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Newcastle United defender Dan Burn discusses Arsenal's recent success before the two sides go head-to-head in the Premier League on Saturday.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Matty Renton
Fan writer
Earlier this week, Newcastle fan Charlotte Robson told BBC Sport "cracks" were appearing in the club's fan base given recent form.
So we asked supporter Matty Renton - who also addressed chat about whether the Magpies even regret selling Chris Wood - for his take on the current feeling around the club.
Find more from Matty Renton at The Magpie Channel, external
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 12:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Howe confirmed that both Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon "feel OK" but the club will assess and make a decision on Friday to decide their availability for Saturday.
On Callum Wilson's fitness: "Callum is doing OK, he's building his load again. There was no real injury but just a feeling in his body that he couldn't push as hard as he wanted. We'll see how he is but probably with the two-week gap it's best to leave it."
He prefers to have "decisions and options" to rotate the squad as "last year we had none". Howe added: "The injury list is still not perfect but certainly better than at times last year."
On the support from the home fans: "The environment again was second to none. It was a sell out [against Chelsea], it was a really good feeling. I can't thank the supporters enough for that. There was no hangover from recent results, it was really good and that helped us massively."
The Newcastle boss was "really pleased" with the response from the players on Wednesday night, adding: "Winning always makes you feel better about everything."
Howe said it has been a "tough time" for for Joe Willock: "It's not been a straight road back, lots of frustrating moments where he hasn't been able to push on. Wednesday was probably his best game in a while where he has looked physically good. To go from box to box, having a sense where the ball is going to arrive in the box - that is Joe at his best. Really pleased to see it because he has been big miss for us."
On bringing the 'dark arts' back into his side: "That is related to winning games. Everything is different when leading to chasing games. We were in that [leading] position a lot last season, not so much this season, so you when chasing you end up being the reacting team. We don’t want to be in that position, we want to be in control. But whatever it takes to win games, I am a firm believer in that."
On Arsenal test: "Every game is very difficult. Chelsea still put out an exceptional team on Wednesday. This is a Premier League game, a different test. They have their qualities, they have a really solid look about the team. Very good from set plays and a solid team and we have to be prepared for that test."
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news