Reaction: Newcastle 6-2 Norwich

1. Newcastle earn first win of the season
2. Wijnaldum scores four for Magpies
3. Three assists for midfielder Sissoko
4. Mitrovic scores first St James' Park goal

BBC Coverage

Don't forget you can catch highlights of all the weekend action on Match of the Day 2 on BBC One at 22:30 BST. (23:25 BST in Scotland)

Presenter Mark Chapman will be joined by former Norwich striker Chris Sutton and ex-Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson.

That's is from me. Thanks for your company. It has been a pleasure.

Farewell.

Manager reaction

More from Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren:

On next Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby:

"Sunderland have won the last few derbies. We have got to break it."

On support from the club:

"From within the club it's been enormous. You are going to get protests and people not happy when you change the coaches. There is so much potential, but still a long way to go."

Manager reaction

Steve McClaren talking to BBC Sport:

"What a game in the first half. I didn't know what was happening. We looked like scoring and conceding. We then settled down and produced some quality. 

"I'm relieved for the supporters and players who have endured a lot. We've had a tough eight games. There's a tough one next week [against Sunderland]. 

"We knew a win was around the corner, but we didn't know when it would come. We played some damn good football. We kept the faith with the players - everyone around us is saying what they've been saying, but we've got to keep tight. 

"Against Chelsea and Man City we looked like scoring, today it was the same but we were clinical in our finishing."

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Good point Barry....

Manager reaction

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren on Sky Sports:

"I'm relieved. The crowd got behind us from the first whistle.

"I'm pleased for the players because it's been tough and hard. We had a tough week after Man City. We showed our strengths of what we are good at but we showed weaknesses by conceding two. Individuals stepped up  - that was the key thing. 

"The front four were excellent especially Gini Wijnaldum. Moussa Sissoko showed strength and power and he showed why he is coveted by the top four. I thought the score could have been anything. We rode our luck and defended quite well. On the break we were terrific."

Goals, goals, goals

Teaser answer

A few close guesses and a few right answers but Ihtisham was first with the right answer to the question: Who are the other six Dutchmen to score a Premier League hat-trick?

Manager reaction

Norwich manager Alex Neil talking to BBC Sport: 

"I didn’t think it was a 6-2 scoreline. We played well going forward. Defensively as a group we were poor. At half time it could have been 5-5. We know the nature of the Premier League. 

"There was one decision made in the game, when I took Alex Tettey off, that didn't have the effect it should have had. It made us more vulnerable at the back. When you concede that many goals it's hard to take positives, but offensively we looked a threat. 

"We need to move on to the next one and make sure we win it."

Football teaser

Georginio Wijnaldum became the seventh Dutch player to score a Premier League hat-trick

Anyone name the other six? Go. #bbcfootball

Defensive horror

Newcastle looked good going forward but there has to be concerns defensively still.

The Magpies have now conceded 19 goals in nine games, second only to Norwich (20) and the same as bottom side Sunderland.

Should be goals galore at the Stadium of Light next weekend then.

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Next weekend's derby should be a corker...

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The Newcastle United goalkeeper is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Player reaction

Newcastle four-goal hero Giorginio Wijnaldum on Sky Sports: 

"Of course we needed the win. We played a few games when we played good, but at end of game we only had one point. Against Chelsea we gave away three points.

"Every day we work hard to get the result we got today."

Newcastle goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic: 

"I enjoyed the goal a lot. We played the perfect game,. After a few bad games we showed how to play football. Gini [Wijnaldum] showed a bit of magic today. He will score more goals. I am very happy here. I hope I will score more goals for Newcastle. From Tuesday onwards we will get ready for Sunderland [next Sunday] - I hope we will play like this. 

Reuters

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Apologies Yahya...

For anyone who doesn't know. A late, late Australia penalty knocks Scotland out of the Rugby Union World Cup.

Reaction here.

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We could well be seeing that on some of the back pages tomorrow Rob...

Some decent stats for Georginio Wijnaldum today...

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Newcastle travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday for what should be a corker.

FULL-TIME

Sound the trumpets. Newcastle have their first win of the season and are off the bottom of the Premier League.

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Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

An enormous win for Newcastle, more importantly for Steve McClaren. There is still a vulnerability about them. Norwich just haven't dealt with long balls, straight balls, any kind of balls.

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Newcastle are rampant. They want a seventh... Into three minutes of injury time.

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Goal replay

Georginio Wijnaldum is only the second Newcastle player to score four or more in a Premier League game after Alan Shearer.

Norwich have collapsed.

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GOAL - Newcastle 6-2 Norwich

Wow. What. A. Strike.

Georginio Wijnaldum receives the ball on the left, cuts inside and fires into the top corner via 25 yards. The ball takes a slight deflection off Steven Whittaker but it is still Wijnaldum's goal. Four for him. Incredible.

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Here come Newcastle. Georginio Wiljnaldum breaks with pace, he feeds Aleksandar Mitrovic, but is just unable to get on the end of the cross.

Some electric counter attack play by the Magpies.

And still Norwich push at St James' Park. Their woeful defending has left them with far too much to do.

Newcastle won't care - they almost have their first win...

Thriller in the Rugby World Cup

There is some real excitement in the Rugby World Cup. Scotland have just taken the lead against Australia in the quarter-final - 34-32 - with seven minutes left. Hold on and they will face Argentina in the semis.

Follow it here.

A Norwich corner.... they need something now...

Robbie Brady crosses but goalkeeper Rob Elliot is awarded a foul as Sebastien Bassong clatters into him.

Newcastle can't lose this now. Can they?

How's this for a stat/

Moussa Sissoko is the first Newcastle player to register three assists in a Premier League game since Andy Cole against West Ham in March 1994. 

Norwich look beaten here.

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Aleksandar Mitrovic's thumping strike for Newcastle's fourth was Alan Shearer-esque.

The striker wears 45 because four and five adds up to nine - Shearer's number.Nice.

Have a look at his goal below.

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How lucky is goalkeeper Rob Elliot there? Norwich striker Dieumerci Mbokani flicks the ball goalwards but it hits Elliot, who is in no-man's land.

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Georginio Wijnaldum is the first Newcastle player to score a Premier League hat-trick since Demba Ba vs Stoke in October 2011. 

It is the first time Newcastle have scored five in a game since Dec 26th 2013 vs Stoke.

Five shots on target for Newcastle and five goals.

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HITS THE WOODWORK

They couldn't could they?

Nathan Redmond almost pulls a goal back as he hits the post from inside the area.

Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

It was an inch perfect cross from Daryl Janmaat and you would think that is game over. It is really naive from Norwich, they have been so open at the back.

Reuters

Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

The fourth was a tremendous goal. There has been some bad defending but Moussa Sissoko picks Aleksandar Mitorovic out and he put his foot through it. Steve McClaren will breathe a sign of relief.

Reuters

GOAL - Newcastle 5-2 Norwich

Newcastle have gone goal crazy. 

Surely game over now as Georginio Wijnaldum completes his hat trick.

A cross from Daryl Janmaat from the left and the Dutchman rises to head home.

No nerves around St James' now.

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GOAL - Newcastle 4-2 Norwich

That should ease the nerves...

Newcastle, who have been on the back foot all half, have a two-goal cushion.

Moussa Sissoko is at the heart of it again as he chips the ball through to Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serbian chests the ball down and thumps a volley into the back of the net. Brilliant.

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SUBSTITUTION

Here comes Wes Hoolahan. The attacking midfielder is on for defensive midfielder Alex Tettey. Norwich are going for this...

The Newcastle fans are trying to get their side going. Boss Steve McClaren looks frustrated, goalkeeper Rob Elliot is playing for time. There is half an hour left.

Talk about nervy...

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A free-kick for Norwich in a very dangerous position on the left outside the penalty area after Daryl Janmaat clumsily shoves Martin Olsson over.

Nathan Redmond whips it in with his right foot, goes for glory, but the ball sails over.

How long before Norwich bring on midfielder Wes Hoolahan. Five assists for him already this season.

The Canaries are well on top though...

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Another corner for Norwich...

Robbie Brady again delivers from the right, this time headed away. 

Newcastle look nervous. Norwich are throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at them already...

CLOSE!

Norwich push again. Moussa Sissoko does well to stop the rampaging Steven Whittaker getting his cross in, but the Canaries have a corner...

Robbie Brady swings the ball in and Sebastien Bassong's header is blocked on the line by Georgino Wijnaldum, So close.

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There wasn't too much tracking back from these two in the first half. Attack, attack, attack.

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Norwich on the attack at the start of the half. First a cross just evades Dieumerci Mbokani before Steven Whittaker has a cross from the left cleared.

Newcastle break though and force a corner. Jack Colback's delivery plops into John Ruddy's hands.

As mentioned Cheik Tiote has now been replaced by Vurnon Anita.

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KICK-OFF

A change for Newcastle as midfielder Vurnon Anita replaces Cheik Tiote in the centre of the park. An injury perhaps? Although Tiote was on a yellow.

We are under way.

Here come the teams.

Don't forget - as if Newcastle fans could - the Magpies haven't won yet this season and are bottom of the league.

They need this, desperately...

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Take a bow Robbie Brady. The Norwich City midfielder has covered more distance than any other player - 5.92 km.

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Georginio Wijnaldum. Two touches inside the penalty area, two goals, as shown by his touch map below.

£14.5m spent well for the former PSV Eindhoven man?

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Where is Philippe Albert when you need him eh?

Goals galore

That is the first time Newcastle have scored three first-half goals since March 2012 vs West Brom.

I wouldn't rule out them scoring - and conceding - a few more.

Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

Norwich just are not dealing with crosses into the box. Steve McClaren can be encouraged from the performances of Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum. Norwich have had a lot of joy down their own left

HALF-TIME

Forget about the dreadful defending for a moment, that half was a cracker.

You get the feeling it could be a very nervy second 45 minutes for Newcastle as they go in search of their first win of the league campaign.

I didn't think I would be saying this today but I can't wait.

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Newcastle pushing for a fourth. Daryl Janmaat's dangerous cross from the right is half headed clear, the ball drops to Ayoze Perez inside the area, but he is crowded out.

Into three minutes of injury time.

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Robbie Brady takes a few steps back, whips in the ball with his left foot but it is poor and Newcastle hack clear.

Manager Alex Neil is not happy...

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That could change though as Norwich are awarded a free-kick some 20 yards from goal...

It was 48 seconds between Newcastle's third goal and Norwich's second...

Talk about a lack of concentration. The match has hit a bit of a lull for a moment.

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Goal replay

Nathan Redmond is having a stonking season for Norwich so far.

He has scored four goals in nine Premier League matches this season. He'd scored one in his previous 34 prior to this season .

A seven-pass move for his goal...

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Close to another for Newcastle. Great feet from Georginio Wijnaldum, his cross is laid back by Aleksandar Mitrovic and Georginio Wijnaldum blasts over the bar.

This first half has been ridiculous. Every time a team goes forward, you expect them to score a goal.

Every shot on target in this match has been a goal...

Reuters

Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

Both teams look so vulnerable defensively. It is a lovely cushioned side-footed volley and Rob Elliot has no chance. Norwich are back in this game.

Reuters

GOAL - Newcastle 3-2 Norwich

What is going on? This is a classic... (not classic defending mind)

A great cross from the right by Martin Olsson to the far post and Nathan Redmond, completely unmarked, volleys into the net.

There are more goals in this as well.

6-6 anyone?

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Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

Alex Neil said it would be an open expansive game. It is an unbelievable start from Newcastle. They are in dreamland

Reuters

GOAL - Newcastle 3-1 Norwich

Both teams look capable of scoring at any point.

Nathan Redmond cuts in from the right for Norwich but his left-foot shot is blocked. 

Newcastle instantly break as the driving Moussa Sissoko sets Ayoze Perez free inside the visitors' penalty area. His first shot is blocked by Martin Olsson but he latches onto the loose ball and fires home low into the net.

Newcastle are in dreamland.

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Not a bad first half-hour from Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. He's had two attempts on goal and scored with both of them, while he has only given the ball away once (red square), with most of his passes (green arrows) finding their intended recipient.

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Goal replay

Moussa Sissoko has registered two assists in a single Premier League game for the first time.

And 50% of Newcastle's goals this season have been headers, the highest share in the Premier League.

Have a closer look at Georginio Wijnaldum's second.

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Goal replay

A sweeping move for Norwich's leveller...

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This is turning into a thriller as Norwich go straight up the other end and Jonny Howson sees a shot deflected just wide, before Alexander Tettey heads just wide.

The defending from both teams is awful.

Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

It was Moussa Sissoko again who made it with a driving run towards the Norwich box. The cross was delightful and Georginio Wijnaldum was there to finish. Norwich defender Steven Whittaker has to do better to get across and stop the header.

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GOAL - Newcastle 2-1 Norwich

Where are the defenders?

Moussa Sissoko does brilliantly for Newcastle again and his whipped cross is headed home by the unmarked Georginio Wijnaldum for his second goal of the afternoon.

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Ayoze Perez has a half chance to instantly put Newcastle back ahead but his touch lets him down as he looks to go clear.

End-to-end now. 

Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

It was tremendously worked from Norwich but it was all too easy for Norwich for the left. Chancel Mbemba could have defended the front post a little better.

GOAL - Newcastle 1-1 Norwich

What a response. Norwich hadn't been in the game until they scored and now - just seven minutes later - they are level.

Great cross from the left by Martin Olsson and Dynamo Kiev loanee Dieumerci Mbokani prods home on the volley at the near post.

Shocking Newcastle defending mind.

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Newcastle have the goal their early dominance deserves. The heat maps below (Newcastle on the left, Norwich on the right) show how they have been far more of a presence in the opposition's half. Still early days though.

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Goal replay

That was Georginio Wijnaldum's third goal for Newcastle. Both previous strikes have been at St James' Park, with the final score being 2-2.

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HITS THE WOODWORK

Where did that come from?

Out of nowhere, Norwich are almost level as Robbie Brady fires the ball goal wards from 30 yards, only to be denied by the post.

Great strike.

Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

A great start for Steve McClaren. Moussa Sissoko, who has started this game well, showed tremendous awareness to make the goal. Georginio Wijnaldum showed good composure to finish into the far corner. The crowd are up now.

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GOAL - Newcastle 1-0 Norwich

Just the start Newcastle wanted - and needed.

Moussa Sissoko does well on the edge of the penalty area, drifts inside and slips the ball into Georginio Wijnaldum.

Th Dutchman makes no mistake in firing low past goalkeeper John Ruddy. St James' is jumping.

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Roared on by the expectant home fans, Newcastle are giving this a real go.

Paul Dummett crosses from the left and Aleksandar Mitrovic is just unable to add the touch in front of goal. He and strike partner Ayoze Perez are on their heels a little.

Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy, dressed in his shocking pink top, dribbles the ball past Ayoze Perez inside his own area before slipping and having to quickly hack the ball into touch.

He then screams at his defenders... that was your fault John.

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Ayoze Perez slips the ball in to Aleksandar Mitrovic on the edge of the penalty area. He fights for possession as he makes his way across the area but is eventually crowded out.

The Newcastle striker hasn't been booked yet...

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Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

Steve McClaren will be encouraged with Moussa Sissoko's use of the ball early on. He hasn't been particularly good so far this season. He was their best player towards the end of last season.

Reuters

YELLOW CARD

An early booking for the returning Cheick Tiote as he lunges into a tackle on Nathan Redmond and misses the ball.

Robbie Brady swings in a free-kick from 40 yards, it evades the crowd of players and is held by goalkeeper Rob Elliot, despite a wicked bounce just in front of him.

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Nice football by the hosts to work it out to Daryl Janmaat. The less said about his cross from the right the better though as it sails horribly long and out of play. Positive start from the Magpies though.

An early Newcastle free-kick is pumped into the penalty area by Jack Colback, It causes a bit of panic but the ball ends up in goalkeeper John Ruddy's hands.

BBC Coverage

A reminder you can listen to live commentary now on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra.

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KICK-OFF

Game on.

Chris Sutton

Former Norwich striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

Steve McClaren is under pressure and his Newcastle team who were disastrous in the second half against Manchester City. The fans did not want him before he was appointed and they don't want him now.

Instant impact

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What an impact Norwich boss Alex Neil had for Norwich last season.

After being appointed boss from Hamilton, he took the Canaries from seventh in the Championship to the Premier League - via the play-offs. 

Keeping them up this season would surely cement his place in Canaries folklore.

Win today and they move up to 11th and eight points clear of the drop zone.

Here come the teams...

Blaydon Races is playing on the tannoy. This feels big.

The Damned United?

Talking about the St James' faithful...

Newcastle United - a most blessed club with the most damned fans?

"Through a thickening blizzard of Guinness and Geordie I can still make out the truth: Newcastle United must be the most blessed football club in the land, because there can be no set of fans more damned."

Read the rest of BBC Sport Ben Dirs' take on Newcastle United's passionate support here.

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Nervy times

There are a few nervy looks among the Newcastle faithful as they take to their seats...

You can be sure St James' will be buzzing by kick-off but can they roar their side onto a crucial, crucial win?

Less than 10 minutes till we are under way.

Chris Bevan

BBC Sport

The Newcastle players have been doing plenty of practice of their crossing and finishing in their warm-up at St James' Park, and for good reason - they have had the fewest shots (50) and the fewest shots on target (24) in the top flight in 2015-16 and, along with Watford, have scored the fewest goals too - six.

Interesting to watch them go through the drill - 'teams' of three players took turns to attack the goal, with one player crossing from the right or left - usually low - with one player at the near post and one at the far. They scored nine out of 10 times I watched them try it, but will it work in the actual game, when they are up against a defence?

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Three games to save his job?

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

"I don't subscribe to the theory peddled by one pundit - an ex-Newcastle player - that Steve McClaren has three games to save his job.

"From my understanding, McClaren still retains the support of the St James' Park hierarchy. Everybody connected with Newcastle will hope the international break brings a repeat change in fortune, especially after the unfortunate injury to Tim Krul.

"Last season, they didn't win any of their opening seven matches. By coincidence, on 18 October they ended that run and embarked on a five-match winning streak.

"McClaren still believes they can turn the corner against a Norwich side who have happy memories of the north-east after winning 3-1 at Sunderland in August."

BBC Coverage

Match of the Day

Match of the Day 2 is coming from St James' Park tonight at 22:30 BST on BBC One. (23:25 BST in Scotland)

Mark Chapman will be presenting, alongside guests Mark Lawrenson and Chris Sutton.

Martin Keown may just have popped in for a chat.

Chris Bevan

BBC Sport

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It is decidedly chilly at St James' Park but good to see the only players from either team wearing gloves during their warm-ups are the goalkeepers - it is only mid-October after all.

Newcastle have gone with a retro theme for today's programme cover - no, not 1898 when they were in similar form, but instead much happier days in 1962, when they had lost just one of their first nine games in the old Division Two, and went in to beat the Canaries 2-1. The locals would no doubt take a repeat of that scoreline this afternoon.

Krul luck

As if things were not bad bad enough for Newcastle, goalkeeper Tim Krul has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a severe knee injury.

Krul ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the Netherlands' 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifying win in Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Rob Elliot will be between the posts today.

The atmosphere is building at St James'...

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'We are making progress'

"As long as we continue making progress - which I believe we are and they believe we are - then we keep going. This is Newcastle. There's always scrutiny on you."

Steve McClarenNewcastle head coach

Get Involved

Today we are asking: Who are the characters at your club?

Declan Robert on Facebook: John Clark at Celtic. Won the European Cup in 1967 still works at the club as kit man.

Jason Daniels on Facebook: Neil 'Nello' Baldwin kit man under Lou Macari at Stoke City in the 1990s dressed as a clown and a chicken during games, and dressed as a comedy Scotsman when Macari was doing a TV interview. The BBC made a film about him.  

Let us know your suggestions on Twitter using #bbcfootball on the Match of the Day Facebook page or text in on 81111 (UK only). Remember to put names on texts.

One to watch

One man hoping to progress with the Republic is Norwich winger Wes Hoolahan.

The Canaries' danger man? It would seem so...

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Luck of the Irish?

Reuters

If you haven't heard, Republic of Ireland will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in a two-legged play-off to qualify for Euro 2016.

Martin O'Neill's side have been drawn to play the first leg away from home.

The Republic could have secured automatic qualification from Group D with a 2-2 draw in Poland earlier this month but lost 2-1.

In the other play-off matches for the tournament in France, Ukraine play Slovenia, Sweden face Denmark, while Norway take on Hungary.

Can you beat Lawro?

The BBC Sport Predictor game pits fans of Premier League clubs against each other.

Help your club move up the league by predicting the result of this match - and the rest of the weekend's fixtures - right here.

Newcastle fans - at least you aren't bottom of this table..... You are second from bottom.

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Today we are asking: Who are the characters at your club?

BBC Sport's Ben Dirs spoke to Norman last year. He started his job on £3 a week. Read the piece in full here.

Let us know your suggestions on Twitter using #bbcfootball on the Match of the Day Facebook page or text in on 81111 (UK only). Remember to put names on texts.  

Get Involved

Today we are asking: Who are the characters at your club?

Let us know your suggestions on Twitter using #bbcfootball on the Match of the Day Facebook page or text in on 81111 (UK only). Remember to put names on texts.  

Money, money, money

Newcastle fans can have no complaints about the funds spent on boosting their squad this summer.

According to managing director Lee Charnley, the cost of their five siignings was £52.6m.

The arrival of their five signings – Georginio Wijnaldum, Florian Thauvin, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Ivan Toney – brought a more positive vibe around St James', for a while at least.

That positivity appears to have disappeared. 

A nightmare start

Did Steve McClaren know what he was walking into when he was appointed head coach at Newcastle in the summer? You would have to think yes.

The Magpies only secured their top-flight status on the final day after winning just three of 20 matches under John Carver - and things don't look to be getting any easier.

McClaren, sacked by Derby in May, had turned down the Magpies job twice.  

He arrived stating the aim was to win trophies. Survival first Steve.

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Derby move into top six

We already have a result in the Championship where Steve McClaren's former team, Derby County, beat Wolves 4-2 to move into the play-off positions.

Full report here.

Yellow peril

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The good news for Newcastle is that today's visitors, Norwich, aren't exactly flying in their first season back in the Premier League.

The Canaries have only one away win this season - although that victory did come in the north east at Sunderland.

They haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their eight Premier League matches either.

Victory for Norwich though and they move nine points clear of Newcastle. 

LINE-UPS

Rob Elliot starts in goal for Newcastle after Tim Krul's season-ending knee injury while playing for the Netherlands. Cheick Tiote is given a start in the middle of the park alongside Jack Colback, while Vernon Anita and Yoan Gouffran miss out.

BBC

Norwich give a start to striker Dieumerci Mbokani after scoring off the bench against Leicester in their last game to replace Cameron Jerome.

Nathan Redmond also starts in place of Matt Jarvis in midfield.

BBC

Manager's view

"It will be a tough game, as they all are in the Premier League, but if we perform at our maximum and play like we have done for the majority of the games this season, then there is no reason why we can't go there and get the result."

Alex NeilNorwich City manager

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Chairman becomes Swindon boss

Mark Cooper (pictured) was sacked by Swindon after an eighth game without victory

Here's an unusual one. 

Mark Cooper was sacked as manager of Swindon on Saturday night. His replacement? The club's chairman.

Lee Power has taken charge of the League One club, albeit on a temporary basis. Still, I can't think of too many times when the club's owner has put himself in charge.

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Today we are asking: Who are the characters at your club?

Let us know your suggestions on Twitter using #bbcfootball on the Match of the Day Facebook page or text in on 81111 (UK only). Remember to put names on texts.  

Team news

Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Newcastle XI: Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Tiote, Colback, Sissoko, Wijnaldum; Ayoze Pérez y Mitrovic. Subs. Woodman, Lascelles, Haidara, Anita, Thauvin, De Jong, Cisse.

Team news

Norwich City

Norwich City

Team news in...

'The natives are restless'

Chris Bevan

BBC Sport

Chris Bevan

The storm clouds currently hovering above St James' Park are not just down to the dodgy-looking weather in the north east. With only two points from their first four home games, this is Newcastle's worst start to a league season at home since the 1991-92 season - when they did not win here until the sixth attempt. 

It is fair to say the natives are already restless - they loudly booed the Magpies players when they lost at home to Watford in September.

Another defeat in their own back yard to a newly promoted team is likely to bring an even more vitriolic response but Norwich, with just one defeat in their last 16 away games in all competitions, are no pushovers.

Get Involved

Today we are asking: Who are the characters at your club?

That's Claude, an Arsenal fan. His videos online are a must watch...especially if the Gunners lose.

Let us know your suggestions on Twitter using #bbcfootball on the Match of the Day Facebook page or text in on 81111 (UK only). Remember to put names on texts  

Get Involved

Today we are asking: Who are the characters at your club?

The kitman's happy...

Let us know your suggestions on Twitter using #bbcfootball on the Match of the Day Facebook page or text in on 81111 (UK only). Remember to put names on texts.    

BBC Coverage

There's full coverage of Newcastle against Norwich on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra from 16:00 BST, with former Canaries striker Chris Sutton on summariser duty.

The 606 phone-in follows the match at 18:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 live, while you can watch all of the weekend's action on Match of the Day 2 on BBC One at 22:30 BST.(23:25 BST in Scotland)

Milestones close

Team news to follow in a few minutes...

Pitch perfect?

Chris Bevan

BBC Sport at St James' Park

Lots of concerned Toon fans on my train to Newcastle - not just because their team are bottom of the league, but also because three Rugby World Cup matches have been played at St James' Park since the last Premier League game here last month. 

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It looked like it had cut up a lot when New Zealand played Tonga last weekend but Newcastle's deputy head groundsman Andrew Tully promised fans at the start of the week that it would be "looking fantastic" by the time Norwich came to town and, from what I can see without disobeying the sign, it is looking pretty good to me.  

Chris Bevan

Get Involved

Today we are asking: Who are the characters at your club?

Let us know your suggestions on Twitter using #bbcfootball on the Match of the Day Facebook page or text in on 81111 (UK only). Remember to put names on texts.

Get Involved

Today we are asking: Who are the characters at your club?

Let us know your suggestions on Twitter using #bbcfootball on the Match of the Day Facebook page or text in on 81111 (UK only). Remember to put names on texts.    

What the papers say

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Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney's performances this season have been questioned, having netted just once in the Premier League before their 3-0 win at Everton..

But he ended a drought of 11 months without an away goal in the league, while also netting against his former club in a stadium where he has failed to produce his best showings in the past.

The Mail on Sunday splashes on Rooney's reaction after that game.

What the papers say

Daily Mail

Manchester City's 5-1 win against Bournemouth leads the back page of the Mail on Sunday, with Raheem Sterling the main focus.

"Two weeks is a long time in football," starts the Mail's report on the game. 

"Sterling, embarrassingly replaced at half-time when Manchester City last played before the international break a fortnight ago, redeemed himself in spectacular fashion with his first professional hat-trick at Etihad Stadium on Saturday."

What the papers say

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The Sunday Star reports that David Moyes wants the Aston Villa job.

"So far, Moyes has dismissed opportunities at West Ham, Newcastle and Sunderland," reports the newspaper.

"But Villa would be a different proposition in Moyes’ eyes."

What the papers say

First though a quick look at what made the newspapers this morning...

Get Involved

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Newcastle will have a special guest in attendance today.

Kath Cassidy, 88, has stepped down as tea lady on match day after more than 50 years of service.

That got us thinking about the characters at your football club. From supporters, to staff, to players - tell us your stories from Sunday League to the Premier League.

Tweet #bbcfootball, post on the Match of the Day Facebook page or text on 81111.

Price of Football

BBC

Talking about 'the Price of Football', Newcastle fans will have mixed feelings about the cost of supporting their club. 

They sell the cheapest match-day ticket, at £15, but their cheapest season ticket comes in at a cool £525. You can work out the cost of supporting your club here.

There hasn't been a great deal of quality on show for the Magpies either.

The only way is up

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Back then, 117 years ago, where match day admittance to St James’ Park was 6d (3p), and a season ticket in the “grandstand” would cost 25 shillings (£1.25), the Magpies had to wait 11 matches for a win but still survived.

The class of 2015 - rock bottom in the Premier League - would take a repeat of that, starting with a win at home to newly promoted Norwich this afternoon.

A first win of the campaign lifts them to within two points of safety but defeat and the task already begins to resemble climbing a mini Everest.

Live coverage here.

Victorian times

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Queen Victoria was on the throne, and the Marquis of Salisbury was Prime Minister.  

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Lewis Carroll - the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - had just passed away.  

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And Sunderland had just moved into Roker Park.  

Yes, you have to go back more than 100 years - to 1898 - for the last time Newcastle United were winless from their first eight league games.