Newcastle United

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Reuters

After the highs of finishing fourth in the Premier League and reaching the Carabao Cup final in 2022-23, Newcastle have struggled to maintain those levels this campaign.

Exiting the FA Cup following a 2-0 loss at Manchester City in the quarter-finals saw them sign off for the international break in disappointing circumstances.

But they still have the chance to end the season positively with a European berth in their sights and there is clearly still plenty of fight left in the players.

Trailing 3-1 with 77 minutes played against West Ham, Newcastle appeared to be heading for a third successive loss across all competitions.

However, Alexander Isak pulled them back into the encounter with his second goal from the penalty spot, having opened the scoring inside three minutes, before substitute Harvey Barnes struck twice in the final 10 minutes to deliver a thrilling win.

Injuries remain a major issue for Eddie Howe with Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth and Miguel Almiron all limping off, while Anthony Gordon's stoppage-time red card means he will miss Tuesday's game against Everton.

With nine games left to play, Newcastle need to dig deep to stay the course in their pursuit of European football but, on the basis of this performance, there is more than enough in the tank to get them over the line.

Eddie Howe spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Newcastle's victory over West Ham: "It tells us we have some unbelievable professionals in there and we still have a spirit that we will never give up. It is a game we will never forget, it was a pleasure to be a part of it and I can't praise the players enough."

On injuries: "It's been the story of our season. Unfortunately we were getting hit left right and centre today. We were 1-0 up and then Jamaal [Lascelles] goes off. Miggy [Almiron] goes off, Anthony [Gordon] is sent off, Tino [Livramento] goes off. It is a catalogue one after another but the players we brought on made a positive impact and that's the beauty of our squad."

On Harvey Barnes: "He is an incredible player. We have missed him this season and he would have given us quality wherever he played. He is a goalscorer and they are so valuable and his two finishes today were of the highest quality. Of course, the last one was memorable and will always be remembered and what a finish it was. That's the quality he has."

• Newcastle have scored 13 Premier League goals via substitutes this season, more than any other side. Harvey Barnes’ two from the bench today means he’s scored six Premier League goals against West Ham – against no side does he have more.

• West Ham lost a Premier League match in which they led by 2+ goals for the first time since September 2016, and a 4-2 home defeat to Watford.

• Newcastle have conceded 3+ goals in 10 different Premier League games this season, with only Burnley (11) and Luton Town (11) doing so more often (Sheffield United on 10 before their game against Fulham).

• Only Paolo Di Canio (16 in 1999-00) has scored more goals in a Premier League campaign for West Ham than Jarrod Bowen’s 15 this term. Meanwhile, Bowen’s eight away goals is the most by a Hammers player in a top-flight season since Mike Small in 1991-92 (9).

• Newcastle’s Alexander Isak became just the second player to score a penalty goal against two different goalkeepers in a Premier League match, after Steven Gerrard against Aston Villa in March 2009 (Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan).

• Mohammed Kudus’ strike at 54:02 was the second latest first-half goal scored on record in a Premier League match (since 2006-07) after Trincão for Wolves against Leeds in March 2022 (55:11). It was Kudus’ first league goal for West Ham scored outside of London, with his previous six coming at the London Stadium (5) and Gtech Community Stadium (1).

Substitute Harvey Barnes scored two late goals as Newcastle edged a seven-goal thriller against West Ham at St James' Park.

Newcastle made the perfect start when Anthony Gordon won a penalty with just three minutes played and Alexander Isak converted from 12 yards after a lengthy check by the video assistant referee (VAR).

But the game started to get away from the Magpies when West Ham scored three unanswered goals.

Michail Antonio brought the Hammers on to level terms before Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen scored within minutes either side of half-time.

Isak scored his second penalty of the afternoon after Gordon was again adjudged to have been fouled and Barnes grabbed the equaliser in the 83rd minute.

With momentum and a vociferous St James' Park firmly behind them, Newcastle pressed on and Barnes emphatically fired in a 90th-minute winner.

There was further drama to come in injury time as Newcastle were reduced to 10 men when Gordon received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, but they managed to hold out for a victory that could prove vital in their pursuit of European football.

Newcastle climb up to eighth, just a point behind West Ham in seventh.

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Eight fixtures make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Gladiators star Bionic.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Newcastle's hopes of a trophy ended when they were knocked out of the FA Cup before the international break so it feels like a big end to the season for their manager Eddie Howe, starting now.

The same applies to West Ham boss David Moyes too, because there has been plenty of speculation about his future too, as well as criticism from fans.

But the Hammers are still in Europe, with a Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen to look forward to, while Newcastle's campaign has unravelled a bit in the past few weeks.

League position is all Newcastle have to play for now and I don't think Howe can afford to let this campaign peter out. They are four points behind seventh-place West Ham with a game in hand, so a win here would be massive for them.

And, while Howe's side have not been as strong defensively this season, I still always feel they have a goal in them. That's why I reckon they will edge this.

Bionic's prediction: 1-2

Newcastle have been very up and down all season. Their schedule affected them at the start and they have had a number of injuries as well. West Ham have been more consistent and I think they will take the win here.

See the full list of predictions here

Image source, PA Media

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has a "huge feeling of pride" when his players - such as recent England debutant Anthony Gordon - represent their countries.

The former Everton forward, 23, started England's 1-0 defeat by Brazil on Saturday then came off the bench in the 2-2 draw against Belgium on Tuesday.

"It's a really satisfying feeling to look at Anthony and all the players that are travelling all over the world representing their countries, there's a huge feeling of pride," said the Magpies boss.

"I've seen how hard Anthony's had to work for that moment.

"It hasn't been easy for him, he's had to work at every aspect of his game and he's had some difficult moments, but this season he's really flourished and produced some really consistent performances.

"To see him get that moment, I knew how much it would mean to him.

"Of course then there are mixed feelings when you're watching the game because you're thinking 'please don't pull up, just finish the game well'.

"I thought he played really well and it was great to see him and Bruno [Guimaraes] going against each other."

Image source, PA Media

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says Sven Botman was advised to have surgery on a knee injury earlier this season, but the defender wanted to try to play on.

The Dutch centre-back was out for almost three months with a knee problem before returning to action in December.

However, Botman is expected to miss the next six to nine months following surgery to repair a damaged anterior cruciate ligament.

"There is quite a complex story around Sven since he got his knee injury," Howe said. "Initially he had a partial tear of his ACL. We sought specialist opinion and there were conflicting reports on what he should do next.

"Ultimately, our medical team advised him to get surgery and he, himself, wanted to carry on playing. We'll always try to guide and help the players, but ultimately it's their bodies and they have to make the final decision.

"Unfortunately, he succumbed to the injury eventually, but I've seen several players with that injury come back, carry on playing and stay fit."

Howe continued: "Of course the medical team advised Sven and all they can do in that situation is make a recommendation. Ultimately, the player felt his knee was good. Sven felt his knee was strong and he felt confident in it. He did a lot of work to get back, he sought specialist opinion and they helped him.

"As always in these situations, we don't have the benefit of hindsight - I wish we did."

Asked later in Friday's media conference about whether he would be more reluctant to allow a similar situation to happen again in future, Howe said: "You can't force a player to have an operation, no matter what an opinion may be internally.

"The player has to allow his body to be operated on and Sven was very certain in his mind what he wanted to do. Once you have that position, unless you communicate with the player and make him change his mind - which Sven was adamant his knee felt good and he wanted to carry on - I think we have to support him then and move forward with the process."

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League match against West Ham United.

Here are the main headlines:

• Reacting to Thursday's news that midfielder Sandro Tonali has been charged by the Football Association for alleged breaches of betting rules, Howe said: "Sandro, from day one, has co-operated and was very honest with the club and the authorities with what he had done and the issues he had, so yesterday was no surprise. It may have been surprising externally for other people to hear this news, but we've been supporting him through this process."

• Howe hopes Tonali's ongoing suspension, which ends in August, will not be extended: "I hope for Sandro that there are no further consequences. He has suffered during this period, he's sought help, been very honest and admitted he has an issue. The best thing for Sandro would be to resume his career having taken his punishment and learned a lot of lessons."

• Howe said defender Sven Botman had a successful operation on his long-term knee injury: "It's a big blow, there's quite a complex story around Sven this season since he got his knee injury. Initially he had a partial tear of his ACL, we sought specialist opinion and there were conflicting reports on what he should do next. Ultimately our medical team advised him to get surgery, he himself wanted to carry on playing. We'll always try to guide and help the players, but ultimately it's their bodies and they have to make the final decision. Unfortunately he succumbed to the injury eventually. He now has a long period of rehab ahead of him and we wish him well."

• Howe said he felt "pride" seeing his players represent their countries in the international break, including Anthony Gordon, who made his England debut: "I've seen how hard Anthony's had to work for that moment. It hasn't been easy for him, he's had to work at every aspect of his game and he's had some difficult moments, but this season he's really flourished and produced some really consistent performances."

• Asked for a word to sum up Newcastle's season so far, Howe replied: "Challenging, for sure. The international break is a chance to recharge but it's certainly not been that for me! It's following suit from the rest of the season, there have been things thrown up that have been there to test us all of the time."

• However, with 10 Premier League games remaining and qualification for Europe still a possibility, Howe hopes his team can end the campaign strongly: "If we can come through this season with a positive finish, I think we'll look back on a season that's really helped us grow and I think we'll be better for it in every sense. But of course, we have to have that positive ending and that's what we're desperate for."

Follow the rest of Friday's Premier League news conferences

Image source, Reuters

Newcastle defender Dan Burn has conceded his form has not "hit the heights" of last season but is determined to prove his "doubters" wrong.

The 31-year-old, who helped the Magpies to fourth spot in the Premier League last season, has made 33 appearances across four different competitions for Newcastle this term.

Burn told BBC Sport: "It's been tough. You're playing against the best players in world. It's all about consistency at this level. When you're not playing [well] consistently, you come under criticism - that's what happens.

"I haven't hit the heights of last season but I've still enjoyed it. I still want to prove people wrong. I've had a lot of doubters, but I've had that in my full career. I want to work hard and make the improvements I need to make."

The Magpies, who are 10th in the table, return to Premier League action against West Ham on Saturday.

Eddie Howe's side still have ambitions of qualifying for Europe at the end of what Burn described as a "challenging" season, given their injury record and the extra demands of playing in the Champions League.

He added: "The amount of injuries... we didn't want to use it as an excuse, but the fact is we have had a lot. It was the first experience of European football for a lot of us. We needed the rest [of the international break], mentally as much as physically.

"We have always been pretty good coming back off an international break. We have been able to have a break, train on things we would like to and hopefully we can get a result against West Ham."

Newcastle return to action after the international break in 10th position in the Premier League, in a middle of a group of clubs still with genuine hopes of qualifying for Europe next season.

The Magpies host seventh-placed West Ham, who are four points ahead of Eddie Howe's side, on Saturday at 12:30 GMT.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck told the Total Sport podcast: "I think there are possibly six or seven clubs, Newcastle and West Ham among them, who are trying to get into those final two or three European places. Newcastle do still have a great opportunity of returning to Europe next season, but I think they need to beat West Ham at home.

"If they can get back into Europe this season, after all of the challenges they've faced, after the highs of last year and with an acceptance from most observers and most fans that it was going to be more difficult this time - and it certainly has been - I would say that's still a highly successful season.

"It is far better than anything that pre-dated last year during the decade and a half of the Mike Ashley ownership, apart from the one season when they finished fifth.

"They can still get something great out of this season, but it needs to start with West Ham. Then it's Everton and Fulham. It's a good set of fixtures over the next week or so potentially, to really close the gap and get into the European places."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United and Manchester City will rival Manchester United for the signing of Everton and England Under-21 centre-back Jarrad Brathwaite, 21. (Football Transfers), external

The Magpies also ran the rule over several Brazil players during their friendly against England last week, with Barcelona winger Raphinha, 27, and Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, 27, thought to be on their radar. (Newcastle Chronicle), external

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

Pep Guardiola is "obsessed" by Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 26, but Manchester City would have to pay 100m euros (£85.7m) to sign the Brazil international. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

Arsenal have a 10-man shortlist for a new striker this summer with Newcastle's Alexander Isak, 24, among those being monitored. (Mirror), external

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

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's Premier League fixture between Newcastle and West Ham.

• Newcastle have lost just one of their past nine Premier League meetings with West Ham, a 4-2 home defeat in August 2021.

• However, West Ham have lost just one of their past five Premier League games at Newcastle, going down 3-2 in April 2021.

• The Magpies have picked up 73% of their points in the league this season at St James' Park, with only Fulham (74%) having a higher home ratio.

• Newcastle are one of three sides - along with Manchester City and Tottenham - to have scored in all of their Premier League home games this season, while the Magpies have also kept a league-high seven clean sheets at home.

• Only the bottom two sides - Sheffield United (12) and Burnley (11) - are on a longer run without a clean sheet in the Premier League this season than West Ham's nine.

• No player has created more chances from set-plays in the Premier League this season than Hammers midfielder James Ward-Prowse (37, level with Alfie Doughty of Luton Town), while he has league-high six assists from set-pieces.

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of Match of the Day: Top 10, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards waxed lyrical about German midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who played in the Premier League for Liverpool, as well as with Shearer at Newcastle United and Richards at Manchester City.

"We used to call him 'Der Kaiser' at City. What a character he is," said Richards.

"When I was a youngster coming through, we used to stay at the Radisson in Manchester. There was a German market and he used to call me to his room.

"I was thinking: 'It's a senior pro, he wants to give me some advice.' He says: 'Run to the German market and go and get me some sausages.'

"I didn't mind going for 'Der Kaiser'. He is a top, top bloke."

Shearer added: "Yeah he was a good player. Great lad. Great for the dressing room.

"He didn't mind everyone taking the mick out of him and gave a little bit back. But he was really good fun.

"He could strike a ball."

Find out the full countdown of the top 10 Germans to play in the Premier League by watching on BBC iPlayer or listening on BBC Sounds

Arsenal appear to have received a boost to their chances of signing Newcastle's Sweden striker Alexander Isak after the 24-year-old admitted "things can happen" in the transfer window. (Mail), external

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