Newcastle United

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BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel has been answering your questions on the upcoming transfer window.

Simon: Is there any reason Newcastle would sell Alexander Isak? £120m is a lot, but there's no known release clause, no appetite to sell to a rival in the Premier League, no readily available replacement, and over the next three years - if they do get three more Champions League campaigns - then the lack of a fee pays for itself surely?

Sami: The crux of the matter here is that Isak will have three years left on his contract at the end of the season. Therefore, Newcastle have virtually no jeopardy heading into the window with regards to selling Isak.

They will be able to demand more or less the same amount of money this summer than they will be able to next summer when the striker will have two years on his contract, particularly if the player continues to excel.

It is my information that Isak would be intrigued by the prospect of joining, say, Liverpool or Arsenal but there are absolutely no indications that the Swede would actively agitate a move.

So if there is any chance Isak goes, and I think those chances are remotely slim, it would be on Newcastle's terms - and they would be astronomical terms.

Their stance may be weakened slightly if they miss out on Champions League football this season but, even then, it's hard to see a scenario in which Isak goes.

Next summer, when Isak has two years left on his deal, would provide his suitors with a more realistic opportunity of luring him away from St James' Park.

Read more from a transfer Q&A with our experts

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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I was exactly where I wanted to be at midday on Sunday, sitting on the halfway line as the Newcastle v Chelsea game kicked off. Too close a game to call before the whistle, it looked anything but that after just a couple of minutes.

‌Eddie Howe spotted a weakness in the Chelsea line up and the chink in their armour was their player of the year, Moises Caicedo. Enzo Maresca wanted his best players on the field. Romeo Lavia had been brilliant recently and Enzo Fernandez is seen as a leader, so just like last week there wasn't a midfield spot for Caicedo. No problem, stick him in at right back, he is an excellent player and a tenacious tackler. The problem is, he isn't a specialist right full-back and Howe knew it, so did Antony Gordon and the rest of his team.

‌The majority of the early Newcastle attacks pressured that precise area. You might get away with a stand-in full-back sometimes but against a specialist top-class winger, even a single positional error of a couple of yards can be costly and it was. It was mostly good luck that Howe's left-wing overloads didn't give Newcastle an unassailable lead by half-time. It should have been over as a contest when Nicolas Jackson was correctly red carded in the 34th minute.

‌Reece James and then Malo Gusto, both specialist right-backs, were brought on in the second half, and Caicedo was back to being brilliant and effective where he belongs in the midfield. With round pegs in round holes, even if there were only 10 of them, Chelsea dominated.

‌It was too late, those three dropped points may ultimately cost Chelsea a top-five position and many tens of millions of pounds. It was the quality and work rate from Newcastle, Howe's good tactics and a brilliantly noisy crowd that contributed to the win. But, the defeat was also in great part due to major mistakes by Jackson and his coach.

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Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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It is hard to write anything about Newcastle United other than - are we really going to get back into the Champions League again?

The second time in three years? And in the same year we broke our trophy drought too? Ambassador, you are spoiling us!

But to go past that initial excitement, with two games to go we need three points. Not a given, but much closer since we got under Chelsea's skin and took three off them this weekend (and had one of their players sent off). It also seems like we as fans share this goal with players. Sandro Tonali, our star midfielder this season, has done another interview this week with the club's media in which he stresses the importance of the Champions League - even going as far to say that he doesn't want Conference League football.

I like that mentality. I like the idea that we're allowed to say what we want, and what we don't want, and not feel ungrateful for whatever we do get. I want my team to win. I want my players to be class, and to love being here. I want those glorious European nights at St James' Park - atmospheres that envelop you and leave you almost dizzy leaving the ground having watched your team smash PSG 4-1.

I also like the idea that we remain an attractive club to stay at for some of our best players. I am not ready to see Tonali leave Newcastle. I feel so lucky almost every time I get to watch him play. I'd love to see more players like him head our way, confident they can play in Europe and win cups.

Regardless of what happens, this has been Newcastle's best season in the modern era. Two more games to go. Let's get it done.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle, reacting to the Magpies' 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday:

"In the first half, we were excellent. We dominated the first half and the only disappointment was that we hadn't added to the scoreline, as the sending-off changes the complexion of the game.

"I have to say, in the second half we looked like the team that had 10 men. Chelsea had lots of the ball but they just didn't create a great deal.

"In the end I thought we were the better side. It was a huge game and the atmosphere was unbelievable.

"We said all along that [the race for Champions League qualification] would go to the final game of the season and that's the way it's looking."

Listen to more reaction on BBC Sounds

Newcastle defender Sven Botman wants to stay at at the club despite interest in the Netherlands international, 25, from Paris St-Germain. (The I), external

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

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Sunday's win over Chelsea has put Newcastle United in the driving seat in the race to secure Champions League football for next season.

The Total Sport team have spoken to sports journalist Mark Douglas about the job Eddie Howe has done and the importance of a top five finish.

"After last season being quite difficult, it felt very much nine months ago like the momentum was in danger of being lost, but they've regained it," Douglas told the Total Sport Podcast.

"They've got through the difficult second album if you will, every club has it. Now we are on to a body of work and Eddie Howe has established a supergroup.

"Jason Tindall is the really good backing singer who some people think could be the lead [singer] but Howe is the studious frontman. They are now in to a body of work where you realise these guys are serious, serious people.

"Not many clubs have a manager that you would implicitly trust to do the right thing. You look in to this summer and think they will try and build and to do that with the Champions League behind you means the sky is the limit.

"If it's another platinum record this season, you start to think, everything these guys touch turns to gold."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Jon: At this stage of the season, it's not about being pretty or performing at your best. It's about points. What is clear to me, especially after a few dormant transfer windows, is that good coaching, man management, and team ethic go a long way. There is a real hunger in this team. Win the next two games and we end the season as runners-up. Incredible!

Andy: A good solid performance from Newcastle. I thought we stepped off the gas in the second half, and should have tried to kill the game off earlier, but a win's a win, and I am chuffed with our determination and team spirit.

Ian: Excellent result, but not the performance we were hoping for. At times, it was like watching Newcastle of old trying to preserve a 1-0 lead. Even worse given Chelsea were down to 10 men. I did feel like at times we were watching a team from the 1980s with Chelsea being very physical in the first half. Definitely a red card. I can't see us not qualifying now. Roll on Champions League football next season!

Mark: It was a nervy second half but the result is a 2-0 victory and that's what counts. Puts the team in a fantastic position moving onto the past two games. It's an incredible race for the Champions League positions.

Alan: You can't really underestimate how tough that must have been for the players. A must-win game at the end of the season against a top side. In the first half, Newcastle were close to their best and should have been further ahead. The second half was always going to be hard. It's very difficult to keep that intensity up for a league match at the end of the season.

Ritchie: We have had a few games this season where the two halves are chalk and cheese. It was a good first half, abysmal second... yet the strength and depth of the squad yet again shone through. Good win but roll on the Champions League and a crucial summer in the transfer market.

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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

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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."

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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...