Newcastle United

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Newcastle's Brazilian midfielder Joelinton says Sunday's Carabao Cup final "is going to be a great day" for everyone involved with the club.

Eddie Howe's side will look to end a 70-year wait for a major trophy when they take on Premier League leaders Liverpool at Wembley.

It is two years since their defeat to Manchester United under the arch, but the midfielder believes the team did learn from falling short and that can help them.

"We are very excited and I hope at the end we take the title back to Newcastle," said Joelinton to BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It means a lot. Playing in finals in big games is where we want to be as a team. I'm really happy and I hope at the end this time we can enjoy.

"Every game, every disappointment, you learn something from. It is the same for when you win or when you lose.

"It's a new game. We have another chance and we'll do our best to get the title.

"The most important thing is to win the game and win the title, for me that's most important and if I score, great, if not I'm happy if the team win."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts on West Ham's Premier League match against Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Rob: I don't think we played badly, but, the lack of a striker is evident. We have improved so much since the arrival of Potter and look more solid, organised and play much better football but we aren't clinical in the 18-yard box and it's costing us points.

Barry: Defensively pretty good, a bit static for the goal. Kilman definitely had two arms in the back from Isak. Bowen also unlucky not to get a pen. Overall lackluster and pretty toothless in the last third. Would have probably been a different game if Soucek put away his early chance.

John: Poor performance becoming the norm. We're heading for Championship football. The players' passing is very poor but it's the lack of intensity and willingness to fight for the badge that really annoys me. We need a Mourinho type manager not a nice boy.

Newcastle fans

Krishan: Ground out a result against 10 defenders and kept a clean sheet. These three points are priceless and I believe five more wins and we'll make fifth place. Happy for Barnes as he was decent throughout. They will need to play out of their skin on Sunday. Howay.

Chris: Not pretty but a vital and morale boosting victory before the final. It did feel like we were holding back slightly. When we did step it up we scored. We definitely need a left footed player on the left as we were relatively easy to defend against. Surprised at the West Ham display, barring the first minute I never really worried they would score. Onto the final. Up the Mags!

John: Newcastle did just enough to claim all three points. Perhaps there was an element of one eye on the next game!

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Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, spoke to Sky Sports after Monday's victory at West Ham: "Massive win, I think we want to fight for the Champions League again. It was a big win for us.

"Good to keep the clean sheet. Get the confidence back before the final. Massive win and happy for the team's performance.

"When we play like that, we show the character of the team. We can beat any team in the world. We just have to be consistent. We keep the clean sheet, we could score more goals, but the most important thing is the three points tonight."

On playing more forward: "The gaffer has given me more freedom to be in the box. Today it was a good goal. We worked that hard, and we have seen some videos of them struggling with some crosses."

On the League Cup final: "I think it is massive for the club's history, and we want to be part of it. We know were going to play against one of the best teams.

"Hopefully we can go to Wembley and get the title [League Cup].

"We have seen people - doubters. We are focusing on ourselves. Missing Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman is not good for us, but we have players who can play well. Today we showed we have a strong squad.

"I believe that we can win. A final everything could happen. I believe our fans can make a difference for us. For us, it is like the World Cup. We want to make history for this club. It is a long time for the fans without a trophy.

"Isak at the moment, is the best striker in the world. Our midfield has been our strength."

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told BBC Sport after Monday night's win at West Ham: "One of our best wins of the season, not in terms of performance but desire and heart. All the big ingredients you need to be a successful team - a need to win when the game is tight and find a way to get over the line. We defended really well after the first three minutes which were a bit scary. Deserved win."

On the possibility of the Carabao Cup distracting the players: "That's why for me it was such a good win, it would be easy for the players to be distracted but they were present.

"Harvey did very well today. Lovely cross. Tino looked good at left-back.

"We'll focus fully on Liverpool now. We'll take everything into consideration.

"I felt we were in need of a win to go into the final with a real boost and lift. It will do us the world of good. Also for our league table position today was vital."

On whether he's glad he can focus on the final now: "Yes. These games, we learned this last time can be quite a long wait, when everyone is talking about it but you have massive games ahead. I'm pleased it's here and hopefully we can perform well."

Did you know? Newcastle are now unbeaten in their past six Premier League away games against West Ham (W4 D2), since a 2-0 loss in March 2019 under Rafael Benitez.

Arsenal are plotting a potential move for Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 27, from Newcastle. (Football Insider), external

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

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Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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This is a huge week for Newcastle and they needed a positive result from this game to ensure they go into Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in the ideal frame of mind.

It was hard fought and not particularly pretty but the visitors got the job done to secure a victory at West Ham that was also important for Newcastle's Premier League form - as it propelled them to within two points of the top four.

With injuries and suspensions hitting Newcastle this was a chance for other players to step up and one of those to do just that was Harvey Barnes.

He provided the assist for the winner in the second half but he had also looked Newcastle's biggest threat in the first half and only two good saves denied him a goal.

It is a performance that will give boss Eddie Howe encouragement ahead of Sunday.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

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

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Former Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley, speaking to BBC Look North about the club's appearance in Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool:

"I will definitely be watching the cup final. I will be at Wembley and we're all looking forward to going - the whole family. We're really excited.

"There have been many good luck messages [to former colleagues]. I'm really hopeful. I will hopefully be speaking to Eddie [Howe, manager] to wish him and the team the best of luck.

"I'm so proud of the whole team."

• Staveley spoke on several topics, including the future of St James' Park and the progress of the women's team - listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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On BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport show, former Newcastle defender John Anderson responded to a fan question about Alexander Isak.

David texted to Total Sport to ask do you not think Eddie Howe might be tempted to not play Isak on Monday and simply just wrap him up for the cup final?

"I think if Isak's fit, I think he plays," Anderson said.

"I know the cup final is a huge game for us. It's an opportunity to win silverware, something that hasn't been done for a long, long time but Monday night is massive as well. We need to keep winning Premier League games because there's so much at stake. You want to finish in those European places.

"I can understand people wanting certain players wrapped up, I totally get that but I still think Monday night's a huge, huge game for us."

Listen to the latest: Total Sport Newcastle United Podcast

West Ham are showing signs of improvement under Graham Potter and are going for a third-straight win.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe's first problem is who is fit and available.

I don't think Howe will rest anyone ahead of next weekend's Carabao Cup final, because his side are still going for a top-five finish and it would be huge for the club if they make it back into the Champions League.

But there is a doubt over Alexander Isak, Lewis Hall is out for the season and Anthony Gordon is suspended after his red card against Brighton - I saw someone call him 'Rash Gordon' which is a great line.

All of that, on top of West Ham's current form, makes me think this will end up in a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tops off, bellies out, jumping in bodies of water. It's the Newcastle way.

On the latest Total Sport Newcastle United podcast, host Raul Kohli is joined by comedian Kai Humphries and the pair reminisce about the atmosphere around Milan ahead of the Champions League tie with the Italian giants last season.

That is before they begrudgingly delve into the disappointing recent results on and off the pitch as a "dark cloud" looms above Toon fans going into the Carabao Cup final next weekend.

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Following their 2-0 win at St James' Park in November, West Ham are looking to complete the Premier League double over Newcastle for the first time since 2018-19.

Only Southampton (7.5%) have a lower shot conversion rate in the Premier League this season than West Ham (9%), with the Hammers also hitting the lowest proportion of their shots on target so far this term (30%).

Against no side has Newcastle's Harvey Barnes scored more Premier League goals than he has against West Ham (6), with three of his six strikes against the Hammers coming as a substitute.

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson has called on squad players to "make a name for themselves" as "anything is possible" in the League Cup final.

Newcastle have been hit by injuries and suspensions in the last week, losing Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon, with the Wembley final set for 16 March.

On BBC Radio Newcastle, one fan called in and explained he was frustrated as some fans seem to hold little hope after the setbacks.

Anderson said: "I think cup finals as we all know are one-off games. We have seen some big upsets in finals in the past - Wigan beating Manchester City, Sunderland beating that great Leeds side. Even last season, Man Utd beating City, no one saw that coming. It's all about the side that turns up on the day.

"Yes we have key injuries and if those players were fit they would play. But it's an opportunity for people to come in and make a name for themselves on a big, big stage. On the day, anything is possible.

"It gives somebody else the chance to be a hero and go and make a name for themselves."

"I think the league game next week against West Ham on Monday night is hugely important to bring momentum into the cup final.

"You have got to keep the faith and believe going down there. If we could win at West Ham it would be a huge confidence boost for us as well."

You can listen to Anderson by hitting play above. And if you're after some more Newcastle discussion listen to the latest episode of the BBC Newcastle Total Sport podcast here on BBC Sounds.

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As Thomas Tuchel approaches his first England squad, I'm wondering who may make an appearance from the slightly less obvious candidates.

I'd argue in terms of shot-stopping and presence Nick Pope is probably the best English goalkeeper.

If you're looking for that old school, all-round kind of goalkeeper with presence who will block shots he's one of the best in the Premier League.

But, we know how the modern game is. If you're not equally good in possession it holds you back.

What he lacks is in distribution, he's not the tidiest in possession and that's the only downfall to his performances as a goalkeeper.

The only reason why I would not pick Pope is we know he isn't that good with and comfortable with his feet.

We know with the way Tuchel plays he wants a goalkeeper who can do both - a commanding shot-stopper who can also play with his feet.

He also probably hasn't returned to full fitness. Last season, before the injury, I think Pope was the standout English goalkeeper and probably should have been given a chance.

When Newcastle were qualifying for the Champions League and Jordan Pickford wasn't playing that well, he should have had a decent run of games for England then.

But, we know how England like to play with the ball and that's the one thing that really holds him back from pushing Pickford.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been reacting to the news left-back Lewis Hall will miss the remainder of the season.

With the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool looming next weekend, Howe said: "He took it quite emotionally - and you expect that because Lewis, and every player here, has given everything to be in the position where they can win a trophy for this football club."

If you're after some more Newcastle discussion listen to the latest episode of the BBC Newcastle Total Sport podcast on BBC Sounds.

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If Lewis Hall's season-ending injury is still frustrating you, we advise that you look away now.

A look into his statistics for the season demonstrates exactly what Newcastle will be missing out on as he has been one of the league's top left-backs in multiple departments - and at either end of the pitch.

Whether it is Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento or someone else who steps in, they will have to be on top form to stand any chance of matching Hall's contributions.

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about injuries to Lewis Hall and Sven Botman: "These injuries couldn't have come at a worse time for them individually and for the club. We're almost down to single figures [number of games] left in the league and you've got a cup final coming up. To be without your best players is a big loss."

BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck added: "[Anthony] Gordon plays on the left, Hall is the left-back and Botman was the left-sided centre back. That side of the pitch has taken a real hit over the last few days."

You can listen to Anderson and Raisbeck by hitting play above. And if you're after some more Newcastle discussion listen to the latest episode of the BBC Newcastle Total Sport podcast below, or here on BBC Sounds.