Tickets:
Arsenal (a) SOLD OUT
Palace (h) Member sale now
Leicester (a) SOLD OUT
Southampton (h) Member sale Wed 20.03
Brighton (a) ST holder sale now (0pts)

Premier League:
Eagles game confirmed

NUFC have now belatedly announced ticket sales for the Crystal Palace home game to members with a date of Saturday 6th April and a kick-off time of 3pm.

Sky have also announced no rescheduling for that weekend and the Premier League have released their revised April fixtures, so this date finally appears now to be set in stone.

Latest:
Silva fined

From the BBC, Tuesday:

Everton manager Marco Silva has been fined £12,000 by the Football Association for confronting officials after his side's defeat at Newcastle.

Silva, 41, engaged angrily with referee Lee Mason and his assistants when his side lost 3-2 - despite being 2-0 up - at St James' Park on 9 March.

The former Watford boss complained Ayoze Perez's winning goal was offside.

The Portuguese accepted an improper conduct at an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Tuesday.

Our verdict? The Toffees turned over with three second half goals, the last one being blatantly offside and it cost their manager 12 grand. Delicious!

S is for....:
Signed Shearer books

The World Transplant Games are coming to Gateshead in August of this year and ABC FC have teamed up with Games patron Alan Shearer to help support this event. 

ABC are donating £3.50 for every copy of their ABC with NUFC children's book sold online in March - and 20 purchasers selected at random will receive a special copy signed by Newcastle's leading goalscorer.

Click here to order, support the Transplant Games and enter a draw to win a signed Shearer copy. 

(A random draw including all orders received by March 31st 2019 will take place to decide who receives the signed copies.)

ABC with NUFC illustrates the alphabet in graphic form with the assistance of well-known NUFC personalities drawn as caricatures more details here

Fake news:
The usual suspects

Update: NUFC statement, Monday:

We are aware that seven supporters were initially arrested for allegedly encroaching on to the perimeter of the pitch during the closing stages of Saturday’s match at the Vitality Stadium.

We are liaising with both the police and a number of supporters as investigations continue and we are monitoring their observations pending any criminal proceedings.

“If any individuals are found guilty of committing criminal acts, we will review their individual case before determining if any further club-related punishment is appropriate.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the vast majority of Newcastle United fans for their support and their exemplary behaviour while following the team both home and away.”

Given that pitch encroachment and attacks on footballers is a current hot topic, it's no shock to see the behaviour of some Newcastle fans at Bournemouth picked up by various news outlets.

As anyone who was present on Saturday will confirm however, there's a world of difference between what went on at Dean Court and recent events at Easter Road, St. Andrew's and the Emirates.

Newcastle fans spilling on to the touchline and the side of the pitch during a goal celebration may mirror the antics of the Villa followers after Jack Grealish's winning goal against Birmingham, but are totally unrelated to the deliberate and planned assault on the same player earlier in the Second City derby.

Similarly, there was nothing at Bournemouth akin to the incident when former Magpie James Tavernier was confronted and attacked by a fan during the Hibernian versus Rangers game or the event at the Emirates where a single fan shoved Chris Smalling. 

What supporter/player interaction there was came during celebrations of Matt Ritchie's equalising goal, when Newcastle players rushed towards the away stand - where spectators were equally caught up in the moment and in some cases, got carried away.

Attempts to link the disparate incidents are without foundation, but it's entirely predictable given that both Sky and the Sun* saw fit to do so. 

*That's the same disreputable tabloid that published wholly false stories about non-existent trouble during Newcastle's European visits to both Bilbao and Marseilles. Nothing changes. 

Surfer boys (& girls):
Target reached!

Thanks to the financial support of 1,550 fans, the wor flags fan group have raised £15,000 for a new surfer flag covering the entire Gallowgate End - an amazing effort by all concerned!

(Donations have continued to appear and the total is now over £16K - the organisers confirm that all monies will be used for future SJP displays).

Loan lads:
Saivet screamer 
in vain 

Henri Saivet (Bursaspor)
A second goal in as many home games for the on-loan midfielder gave his current club a 2-0 lead against Galatasaray in the Super Lig on Sunday.

See his goal online here

However normal service was soon resumed and the second-placed visitors recovered to win 3-2 - deepening the fear of relegation for the hosts.

Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest)
Colback played the full game and was booked for the fourteenth time this sesason in Forest's 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town in the Championship on Saturday.

Dwight Gayle, Jacob Murphy 
(West Bromwich Albion)
A second win a week for the Baggies as they won 1-0 at Brentford in the Championship on Saturday. Dwight played the full game and was booked while Jacob remained on the bench.

Rolando Aarons (Sheffield Wednesday)
Rolando played the full game and was booked as Wednesday beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 at home in the Championship on Saturday. 
(Achraf Lazaar has a hamstring injury).

Dan Barlaser, Liam Gibson  
(Accrington Stanley) 
Stanley's home game against Rochdale in League One was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. 

Josef Yarney (Chesterfield)
The Spireites won 2-1 at Havant & Waterlooville in the National League on Saturday where Josef completed the full 90 minutes.

Premier League:
Glorious Matt finish denies Dean

Bournemouth  2  Newcastle  2

Match report

Latest PL results:

Sat 16.03.2019:
Bournemouth 2-2 Newcastle
Burnley 1-2 Leicester City
West Ham 4-3 Huddersfield Town

Sun 17.03.2019:
Fulham 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 2-0 Chelsea

Aside from the largest selection of North East beers anywhere, our sponsors CentrAle's range of spirits is entirely local.  They also stock Lindisfarne fruit wines and two English wines - (one produced in Gateshead) plus wines from French estate Domaine de Palejay, run by a Geordie!

U18s:
Home discomforts

Newcastle U18s  1  Manchester United U18s  3

Despite coming into the game on the back of three successive home draws, Saturday saw Newcastle's youngsters once again unable to improve on their solitary league victory on Tyneside this season.

The Little Benton pitch survived an inspection but both sides adapted well to the conditions and there was little between them in the first quarter.

At that point though, a defensive aberration by Newcastle gave away possession near their right hand corner. The ball was played inside to Charlie McCann near the penalty spot and he turned before placing his shot perfectly inside the right hand post.

Home 'keeper Will Brown had no chance with that but prevented a second goal for the visitors within seconds, bravely diving at the feet of Anthony Elanga.

But it was only a reprieve, as McCann doubled his side's advantage eight minutes before half-time, playing a neat one-two with a team mate before cleverly curling home a shot from inside the box.

It looked all over when the visitors grabbed a third seconds before the interval. Elanga wasn't to be denied on this occasion, picking up possession on halfway and making for goal from the left flank, evading tackles before finishing from six yards.

Despite possession being fairly equal in the opening 45 minutes and the scoreline slightly flattering the Red Devils, the failure of the home side to muster a single shot on target was the most telling statistic.

An improved second half showing from the Magpies saw Deece Kasinga flash a shot narrowly wide and the visitors began to get rattled, their indiscipline resulting in them receiving three yellow cards.

Newcastle did claw a goal back on 75 minutes; a delightful solo effort by Elliot Anderson giving the midfielder for his third goal in as many games since being elevated from the U16s in last month. 

The Scottish youth international delicately tiptoed his way on the through the Manchester defence from the left, reaching their penalty area before taking the ball around the 'keeper and converting. 

That wasn't the signal for a further revival though and Manchester were able to register their third U18 league and cup success against us this season.

Team: Brown, Ebanks, Scott, Allen, Swailes, Gamblin, Reed, Rounsfell, White, Anderson, Kasinga (Gilchrist 61).
Subs n/u: Harrison, Langley, Oliver, Stephenson.

Many thanks to AC

U23s:
It's a Royal knockout 

Reading U23s  1  Newcastle U23s  2

Match report

Premier League Cup last 16 ties:

14.03.2019 Leeds United 2-2 Fulham (6-5 on pens)
15.03.2019 Burnley 1-0 Leicester City
15.03.2019 Nottingham Forest 2-1 Bournemouth
15.03.2019 Reading 1-2 Newcastle
15.03.2019 Stoke City 1-4 Blackburn Rovers
15.03.2019 Swansea City 2-0 Aston Villa
17.03.2019 Derby County 2-1 Wolves
??.03.2019 Everton v mackems

Falcons:
Big One this Saturday

Following the success of their maiden game there last season, Newcastle Falcons are returning to SJP once again this coming Saturday (23rd).

The Premiership rugby union side will decamp from their usual Kingston Park home when they host Sale Sharks at Gallowgate.

Kick-off is at 5.30pm and over 20,000 tickets have been sold to date. 

Prices start at £10 adults here or via 0871 226 6060. Note that matchday prices increase by £5.

Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder said: 

"Last year's game at St James' Park was an incredible occasion and we were blown away by how many people came down to support us on the day.

"It falls on football's international weekend so it's the ideal chance for people to come down and sample a professional rugby game - there's no segregation, you can drink in the stands and it's a great family atmosphere with a fan plaza just outside the stadium.

"We're very thankful to the hundreds of schools, clubs and businesses who are bringing along groups for the day, and we'd urge as many people as possible to come down enjoy the game in what is an incredible venue."

There's an event/ticket FAQ online here

Watch the Big One 2 promo online here

Internationals:
Call-ups 

Latest international selections for Magpies:

Miguel Almiron (Paraguay):
Fri 22.03.2019 Peru (n) FR New Jersey, USA.
Tue 26.03.2019 Mexico (n) FR Santa Clara, USA.

Christian Atsu (Ghana):
Thu 21.03.2019 Kenya (h) AFCONQ Accra.

Martin Dubravka (Slovakia):
Thu 21.03.2019 Hungary (h) ECQ Trnava.
Sun 24.03.2019 Wales (a) ECQ Cardiff. 

Paul Dummett (Wales):
Wed 20.03.2019 Trinidad & Tobago (h) FR Wrexham.
Sun 24.03.2019 Wales (h) ECQ Cardiff. 

Salomon Rondon (Venezuela)
Sat 23.03.2019 Argentina (n) FR Madrid.
Mon 25.03.2019 Catalonia (a) FR Girona.

Mo Sangare (Liberia):
Sun 24.03.2019 DR Congo (a) AFCONQ Kinshasa.
Mon 26.03.2019 Ivory Coast (a) FR Bouake.

Fabian Schar (Switzerland)
Sat 23.03.2019 Georgia (a) ECQ Tbilisi.
Tue 26.03.2019 Denmark (h) ECQ Basel.

DeAndre Yedlin (USA)
Thu 21.03.2019 Ecuador (h) FR Orlando, USA.
Tue 26.03.2019 Chile (h) FR Houston, USA.

Freddie Woodman (England U21):
Thu 21.03.2019 Poland (h) FR Ashton Gate.
Tue 26.03.2019 Germany (h) FR Bournemouth.

Elias Sorensen (Denmark U20):
Mon 25.03.2019 Romania (n) FR Marbella, Spain.

Oisin McEntee (Ireland U19):
Wed 20.03.2019 Romania (n) ECQ Krasnodar
Sat 23.03.2019 Azerbaijan (n) ECQ Krasnodar
Tue 26.03.2019 Russia (a) ECQ Krasnodar

Injury robs Sean Longstaff a likely first call-up for England U21s, while Ciaran Clark (Ireland) and Yoshinori Muto (Japan) were both omitted. 

PS: There's a first senior call-up to the Scotland squad for ex-Magpie defender Stuart Findlay, now playing back over the border for Kilmarnock.

U23s:
Promotion bid falters

Newcastle U23s  0  Aston Villa U23s  3

Match report

Loans curtailed:
Bringing them home

Update: Quoting the Colchester manager, the Chronicle report that Callum Roberts has been informed by NUFC that he'll be a free agent when his current deal at SJP ends this summer.

Elias Sorensen, Jamie Sterry and Callum Roberts have returned to Tyneside from their loan spells in the Football League at Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra and Colchester United respectively.

The trio have barely featured for their loan clubs since leaving SJP in January and are now available for United’s remaining U23 games following their misadventures.

The only one to actually start a game was full back Sterry, who completed 90 minutes against Northampton Town in League Two but was never called upon again by the Railwaymen.

Three substitute outings for winger/striker Roberts meanwhile totalled just 37 minutes in the third tier for the U's - although it's claimed that he's less than 100% fit due to ankle issue.

Striker Sorensen fared worst, playing just once for the Tangerines, given 32 minutes against Wycombe soon after arriving at Bloomfield Road in January.

The Dane then failed to appear in any of their subsequent eight games and latterly wasn't even selected in the matchday squad - comments from Blackpool hinted at a lack of quality in training.

Given the futility of these loans - and several previous temporary departures from SJP (notably striker Tom Heardman at Bury), news that United are seeking to recruit for a role of player loan co-ordinator cannot come too soon. 

Update:
Youth club - claim 

Off The Pitch is a new website aiming to cover the economy, strategy, ownership and leadership of clubs in the top two divisions of English football.

Among their launch pieces is one written by local scribe Martin Hardy concerning a change of recruitment policy at St. James' Park - or rather a return to a previous strategy of buying younger players.

Mike Ashley's decision to stay in control at Newcastle United means a change in recruitment -strategy will be installed at the club. And manager Rafa Benitez will need to accept an altered role: Full article online here

PS: While not mentioned by name, if the claims are accurate then our chances of signing 29 year-old Salomon Rondon on a permanent deal aren't great....

NSC:
Senior Cup date set

This season's Northumberland Senior Cup Final between North Shields and Morpeth Town will be staged at St. James' Park on Tuesday April 9th.

Kick-off will be at 7.30pm and a result must be achieved on the night. Admission will be £6 for adults and £3 concessions - payable at East Stand turnstiles on the night (no advance sales).

The earlier than usual date of the game (the earliest Final since 1973) is due in part to Shields playing their last Northern League game of the season the previous weekend.

Morpeth's Evo-Stik Eastern Division programme continues until late April, the current leaders due to play four more league games after their SJP visit.

Update:
Second job for Steve

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has appointed another former Magpie to his coaching staff in the shape of Steve Harper. 

The 43 year-old has been working with goalkeepers at United's Academy and will reportedly retain that role in addition to coaching Northern Ireland's senior custodians.

Harper follows fellow old boys Willie McFaul, Dave Beasant and Tommy Wright in holding the post.

Latest:
Beardsley update

Following the announcement by Newcastle United that Peter Beardsley had left the club, the FA have confirmed that their compliance unit are investigating complaints of bullying against Academy players.

Beardsley denies the allegations.

Premier League:
Arsenal (a)

Following the international break, Newcastle return to Premier League action on Monday April 1st, against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.

Since Andy Carroll's headed winner there in November 2010, the Magpies have made six visits to N7 - and lost every single one of them.

It's an 8pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports.

NUFC: Sean Longstaff is a long-term absentee, while Fabian Schar completes his two match ban.

Coral match betting will appear here.

Coral's new punter offer is bet £10 receive £30 in free bets. Terms & conditions apply online here

AFC: To follow.

Travel: To follow.

If you aren't heading to N7, The Ware Rooms on Carliol Square have the game on their big screen TVs with matchday food and drink offers.



The Ware Rooms are at 17 Carliol Square NE1 6UQ - 5 minutes walk from both Monument and Manors Metro.

Stats: 

Magpies @ Gunners - Premier League years:

2017/18: Lost 0-1
2015/16: Lost 0-1
2014/15: Lost 1-4 Perez
2013/14: Lost 0-3
2012/13: Lost 3-7 Ba 2, Marveaux
2011/12: Lost 1-2 Ben Arfa
2010/11: Won 1-0 Carroll
2008/09: Lost 0-3
2007/08: Lost 0-3
2007/08: Lost 0-3 (FAC)
2007/08: Lost 0-2 (LC)
2006/07: Drew 1-1 Dyer
2005/06: Lost 0-2
2004/05: Lost 0-1
2003/04: Lost 2-3 Robert, Bernard
2002/03: Lost 0-1
2001/02: Lost 0-3 (FAC)
2001/02: Won 3-1 O'Brien, Shearer, Robert
2000/01: Lost 0-5
1999/00: Drew 0-0
1998/99: Lost 0-3
1997/98: Lost 1-3 Barton
1996/97: Won 1-0 Elliott
1995/96: Lost 0-2 (LC)
1995/96: Lost 0-2
1994/95: Won 3-2 og(Keown), Beardsley, Fox
1993/94: Lost 1-2 Beardsley

(At Highbury until 2005/06, Emirates thereafter)

Referee: tbc

UK TV: Live on Sky Sports

Overseas TV: To follow

UK Radio: tbc

Local Radio: Live on BBC Radio Newcastle

Upcoming PL fixtures:

Sat 30.03.2019:
Fulham v Manchester City (12.30pm) Sky
Brighton v Southampton (3pm)
Burnley v Wolves (3pm)
Crystal Palace v Huddersfield Town (3pm)
Leicester City v Bournemouth (3pm)
Manchester United v Watford (3pm)
West Ham v Everton (5.30pm) BT

Sun 31.03.2019:
Cardiff City v Chelsea (2.05pm) Sky
Liverpool v Spurs (4.30pm) Sky

Mon 01.04.2019:
Arsenal v Newcastle (8pm) Sky