Fulham (a) SOLD OUT
AFC W'don (a) SOLD OUT
Man City (h) forwarding/resale now
Everton (a) SOLD OUT. ST ballot ends Tue 2pm
Brighton (h) Member ballot closes Thu 10am

2024/25:
Wolves tamed by
golden goals

Wolves  1  Newcastle  2

Match action is online here

Two spectacular second half strikes saw Newcastle wipe out a half time deficit on Sunday, preserving their unbeaten start to the season and leaving them third in the table behind Manchester City and Arsenal.

Fabian Schar's long shot was nodded out of the reach of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone by Craig Dawson for a 75th minute leveller, before substitute Harvey Barnes fired home a fabulous winner five minutes later.

Nick Pope's acrobatic intervention to deny Matheus Cunha in added time then completed the comeback and gave Eddie Howe's side maximum points from another game when they failed to hit top gear.

Clad in their maroon and blue change kit for the first time, the Magpies started strongly on an overcast afternoon in the Black Country against a Wolves side with just one victory in their last 13 PL outings. 

A trio of changes to the starting line-up that scraped past Spurs before the international break saw Lewis Hall, Fabian Schar and Jacob Murphy replace Lloyd Kelly, Emil Krafth and Harvey Barnes.

Murphy was quickly into the action when his early strike was tipped over while Gordon's dazzling run from the left saw his shot glance off the far post, but a failure to turn domination into goals saw Wolves creep into the game.

Sean Longstaff's error deep in the home half on 36 minutes gave Gary O'Neill's side the opportunity to counter and after Jorgen Strand Larsen battled past Dan Burn on the Wolves right, his cross was dummied by Joao Gomes for Mario Lemina to side-foot home.

A measure of how far United had lost their way came when the usually conservative Howe made a treble switch at the interval; Longstaff, Joelinton and Isak making way for Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock and Barnes.

Rather than a tactical ploy however, playing without a recognised centre forward was an enforced decision after Isak incurred a head wound when Dawson's boot accidentally caught him in the face before half time.

Those changes initially stimulated United, but some loose passing encouraged the home side forward rather than holding on to their one goal lead, Larsen striking the post before coming close with another headed effort.

The 64th minute replacement of Tino Livramento by Kieran Trippier proved pivotal; his prompting from right back leading to a more urgent and cohesive approach.

Two outstanding moments turned defeat into victory as a direct approach thankfully paid dividends, setting aside frustrations about our failure to take shots against a defence that conceded six in their last home game. 

There may have been an element of fortune about Schar's deflected shot but the strike from Barnes was worthy of winning any game.

The latter saw him dart in from the left before making the net bulge from distance in similar style to his West Ham winner last season - also strongly reminiscent of David Ginola's 1995 beauty at Hillsborough when clad in the original maroon and blue Adidas kit.

Newcastle's final substitute saw Kelly come on at left back for the ailing Bruno Guimaraes, leaving a clearly incapacitated Lewis Hall as the furthest man forward.

Eight additional minutes were seen out though, Pope making one memorable leap to keep out a Cunha volley that was heading for the top corner. At the other end, both Tonali and Barnes had chances to make it 3-1.

Arsenal's win at Tottenham Hotspur left them second - Newcastle's victory by a single goal not enough to take them above the Gunners.

Ten points from four ordinary performances is a very welcome total for a side yet to fire on all cylinders, although the sense of riding our luck remains - and surely cannot keep continuing.

Full match report to follow.

Team: Pope, Livramento (Trippier 64), Schar, Burn, Hall, Longstaff (Tonali 46), Joelinton (Willock 46), Guimaraes (Kelly 87), Murphy, Gordon, Isak (Barnes 46).
Subs n/u: Dubravka, Krafth, Almiron, Osula.

Bookings: Joelinton, Burn, Murphy (Tindall)

Goals: Schar 75, Barnes 80.

WWFC: Johnstone, Semedo (Doherty 77), Mosquera, Dawson, Ait-Nouri (Forbes 86), Lemina, Andre (Doyle 77), J.Gomes, Bellegarde (Hwang 71), Cunha, Strand Larsen (Guedes).
Subs n/u: Sa, Bueno, R.Gomes, Sarabia.

Bookings: Ait-Nouri, Samedo, Andre.

Goal: Lemina 36.

Crowd: 30,255 including the usual 3,000 strong away section running along the bottom tier of the Steve Bull Stand.

After the game Eddie Howe said:

"It's a massive win for us. Away from home we have questions to answer and that is a big step forward for us.

"I wasn't totally satisfied (at half-time) and the lads know they have to perform. We have the ability to make those changes. I have to credit the players who came on. Everyone played their part and it is a massive win.

"I got the sense (of urgency) at the start of the half and then there was bit of a lull and Fabian's goal injected confidence. 

It took a moment of real class from Harvey (Barnes) and then we had cramp and all of those battling qualities at the end to get over the line.

"I think we are stepping forward in terms of our performances. I think it was a step in the right direction. 

"We can improve in lots of different aspects and that is what we are going to be working on this week. We are a really tight-knit group and we have to remain that way.

“I think it’s a great platform for us. Confidence is always the key ingredient in any sporting team, and hopefully by winning in the manner we are, that confidence level will continue to grow.

"There’s no doubting the quality of players we have, albeit that we’re small in numbers so we can’t afford to lose anybody. Winning is everything. I’ve never shied away from that as manager of Newcastle United.”

On the half time changes:

"I’m sure there were a number of players who were disappointed not to start. We made changes to the team that played against Tottenham. They were tactical because every game is very different and I have to find what I believe is the best way to win the next game.

"It’s no reflection on the players that came out, but the most important thing is that the players respond in the right way because their best chance of playing in the next game is determined by how they perform on the pitch.

"I thought all three half-time substitutes did really, really well. I was really pleased with Sandro and Joe, and of course really pleased with Harvey, whose finish was incredible.

"I just felt we needed a different energy in the team, and I also think it’s reflective of the quality of players that we have waiting to play.

"I wanted to give them long enough to influence the game. I didn’t want to cut their time too short where they couldn’t grab the game as we needed them to.

"I was really pleased with the attitude when they came onto the pitch. The ability of the players is not in question – I thought they all made a positive difference for us.”

On Alexander Isak:

"It was his eye, but I’m not 100% sure what the issue was. I just knew he had to come off. We’ll find out more afterwards. 

"I don’t know whether it’s serious or not, but we absolutely hope not. He’s such an important player for us.

On the equaliser:

"It was what we needed. We’d had a few moments, but we hadn’t had the clear sight of goal we would have wanted.

"It was maybe going to take something like that, a long-range effort, speculative to a degree, but Fabby has the quality to score those type of unbelievable goals for a centre-half. 

"It’s another one to add to his collection, and that gave us a lift and changed the dynamic and the mood in the stadium. It was an absolutely pivotal moment in the game.”

On the winner:

“He (Harvey Barnes) had a difficult season last year, going to a new club with a big transfer fee, he picked up an innocuous injury against Sheffield United and it hurt him and us. 

"He is one of the best finishing wingers I have ever seen - quality goalscoring wingers are few and far between.”

On Nick Pope:

"I’m really pleased for Nick. Whenever a player goes away on international duty, it’s always a different dynamic.

"With the players that we keen here, we can really focus on what they’re doing and we’re in tune with their performances.

"When players go away, they miss our contact time and there’s always that trust about how they’re going to come back, but you can see how Nick has come back, and the effect he has on the team. 

"He made two or three great saves that ultimately end up helping us win the game. He’s a top-class goalkeeper and I’m delighted for him.”

Referee: Chris Kavanagh - four Premier League games involving Newcastle last season for the Lancastrian whistler and we lost the lot (Bournemouth away 0-2, Spurs away 1-4, Forest home 1-3 and Manchester City home 2-3).

VAR: John Brooks. 

Latest PL results:

Sat 14.09.2024:
Southampton 0-3 Manchester United
Brighton & Hove Albion 0-0 Ipswich Town
Crystal Palace 2-2 Leicester City
Fulham 1-1 West Ham
Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Manchester City 2-1 Brentford
Aston Villa 3-2 Everton
Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea

Sun 15.09.2024:
Spurs 0-1 Arsenal
Wolves 1-2 Newcastle

Stats:

Newcastle remain unbeaten after their opening four Premier League games, something they last achieved in the 2022/23 campaign. 

Three draws and a win brought them six points that season; three wins and a draw this time give them 10 points, which is their best return since collecting a maximum 12 points at the beginning of 1995/96.  

Newcastle turned a half time deficit into a full time PL victory for the first time since the 4-3 home win over West Ham in March 2024. They trailed 1-2 that day.

Away from SJP, this was the first HT/FT turnaround since Brentford in April 2023, turning a 0-1 interval loss into a 2-1 win.

Fabian Schar now has 15 PL goals to his name for United, two clear of Anthony Gordon and one more than Joe Willock. He's one shy of Bruno Guimaraes.

Harvey Barnes netted for the seventh time in the PL as a Magpie, one more than David Ginola and equal with Carl Cort, Stephen Glass, Jonas Gutierrez and Mark Viduka.

Five of those seven goals have come after Barnes was introduced as a substitute.

One has to go back to April 2018 for the last time Newcastle scored from outside the box more than once in the same PL game, Jonjo Shelvey and Ayoze Perez both on target in a 2-1 win at Leicester City.

The Magpies have now scored at least once in each of their last 12 competitive visits to Molineux - their last blank came during the 1992/93 promotion season.

Mags @ Molineux - PL era:

2024/25 Won 2-1 Schar, Barnes (PL)
2023/24 Drew 2-2 Wilson 2 (1 pen) (PL)
2022/23 Drew 1-1 Saint-Maximin (PL)
2021/22 Lost 1-2 Hendrick (PL)
2020/21 Drew 1-1 Murphy (PL)
2019/20 Drew 1-1 Almiron (PL)
2018/19 Drew 1-1 Hayden (PL)
2016/17 Won 1-0 Mitrovic (Ch)
2011/12 Won 2-1 Ba, Gutierrez (PL)
2010/11 Drew 1-1 Carroll (PL)
2003/04 Drew 1-1 Shearer (PL)
2002/03 Lost 2-3 Jenas, Shearer(pen) (FAC)
2002/03 Won 2-0 LuaLua 2 (FR)
1992/93 Lost 0-1 (D1)

2024/25:
Crystal Palace (a) 
rail disruption
 
FAO anyone travelling to Newcastle's Premier League game at Selhurst Park on Saturday November 30th, rail engineering works mean that London Kings Cross station will be completely closed that Saturday and Sunday.

A reduced LNER service from Newcastle will operate to and from St.Neots, with a replacement bus to Bedford providing connections to London-bound trains.

Find further information online here

Giveaway:
Hat/print winner
 
Alongside the existing range of Toon-themed headwear, Football Bobbles have released their first two prints featuring Brazilians Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes:  

These are on sale now here and we had one up for grabs in a free-to-enter competition plus their ever-popular Ferdinand bucket hat here

We asked you to predict the final score between Wolves and Newcastle on Sunday and 2-1 was extremely popular, with over 150 correct entries received. 

A random selection from those winning entries then produced the winner as Ian Haggerty.

2024/25:
Winning start for Lewis

Current Magpies making temporary switches:

Jamal Lewis (Sao Paulo)
A successful debut on Sunday for the defender, brought on in the 73rd minute of Sao Paulo's 1-0 victory away at Cruzeiro in Brazil's Serie A.

Harrison Ashby (QPR)
The full back remained on the bench as the R's drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship on Saturday.

Max Thompson (Chesterfield)
The goalkeeper was an unused substitute as the Spireites lost 0-1 away to Port Vale in League Two on Saturday.

Joe White (MK Dons)
The midfielder made his Dons debut as a 72nd minute replacement on Saturday, as Mike Williamson's side lost 0-3 at bitter rivals AFC Wimbledon in League Two.

Miodrag Pivas (Willem II)
No sign of our Serb as Willem II won 3-0 at home to RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie on Sunday.

Jamie Miley (Newport County)
The midfielder underwent a hernia operation last week after picking up the injury on his Newport debut.

In his absence the Exiles conceded four goals without reply at Swindon Town in League Two on Saturday.

U18s:
Devils dominate

Newcastle U18s  1  Manchester United U18s  5
 

Newcastle's injury woes at Academy level continued on Saturday, as an already-youthful line-up lost two more players before half time at Little Benton.

The visitors took the lead in the 16th minute after full back Guy Bloomer fouled Bendito Mantato in the box.

Gabe Biancheri's penalty was saved by Magpies goalkeeper Tyler Jones but the rebound fell kindly to Biancheri, who steered the ball into the empty net.

That lead was doubled 11 minutes later when Biancheri was presented with the easiest of chances after Jones spilled a low shot.

By then both Matty Taylor and Ezra Tika-Lemba had gone off, making way for debutant duo Luke Gilligan and Noah Morgan from Newcastle's U16 side.

It was 0-3 three minutes before the break as James Scanlon was left alone on the edge of the box to net with a low drive - his second goal of the week after scoring for Gibraltar at senior international level.

The hosts got one back in the 57th minute as a good combination between substitute Sam Alabi and Anthony Munda released Bloomer who finished well after running into the area under pressure from a defender.

But Bloomer gave away another spot-kick after 65 minutes as he needlessly barged into Scanlon; substitute Amir Ibtagimov sending Jones the wrong way.

The scoring was completed in the 85th minute Jones got something on Scanlon's dangerous cross from the left, leaving substitute James Thwaites with a simple opportunity to tuck home from close range.

That gave the final scoreline a slightly lopsided look; the Red Devils having dominated possession without laying siege to the Newcastle goal.

Aside from Bloomer's strike though, the home side were reduced to occasional half-chances with 15 year-old Michael Mills their main threat on the left wing.

The visitors continued their winning start meanwhile, having already beaten Liverpool and Manchester City as they attempt to retain the national U18 league crown they collected last season.

Team: Jones, Johnson, Bloomer, Watts, Craggs, Munda, Tika-Lemba (Morgan 40), Taylor (Gilligan 23), Brayson, Wooster (Alabi 46), Mills (Patterson 83).
Sub n/u: Anderson.

Booked: Johnson.

Unlikely lad:
Nobby back to 
winning ways
 
Following his brief and ill-starred time in charge of Blyth Spartans, former Magpie Nolberto Solano has found himself a new job back in his native Peru. 

He made a winning start to life at FC San Marcos at the weekend, guiding the second tier side to a 3-2 victory away to Ayacucho.

Premier League:
Brighton (h) ticket
sale information 

Ticket sale dates for Newcastle's home game against Brighton and Hove Albion are confirmed as follows.

A reminder that ticket sales are restricted to members, but a limited sale on a first come, first served basis will now follow the ballot.

Full details of that are online here

Ballot open: now
Ballot closes: Thu 19.09.2024 @ 10am
Ballot winners notified: by Thu 19.09.2024 @ 5pm
Ballot winners purchase open: Fri 20.09.2024 @ 12.30pm
Ballot winners purchase closes: Sun 22.09.2024 @ 12.30pm
Ticket forward/resale: Mon 23.09.2024 @ 10am
Member sale opens: Tue 24.09.2024 @ 10am

Premier League:
PL November: 
three TV changes
 
A trio of alterations to Newcastle's November Premier League fixture list for live TV were confirmed on Friday:

Sat 02.11.2024 Arsenal (h) 12.30pm TNT 
Sun 10.11.2024 Nottingham Forest (a) 2pm Sky
Mon 25.11.2024 West Ham (h) 8pm Sky
Sat 30.11.2024 Crystal Palace (a) 3pm no UK TV

Charity effort:
Pilgrim's progress

Update: thanks to everyone who has donated so far to Keith's fund, which is now over £1000. He's completed 110 miles in his first seven days of walking.

NUFC.com reader Keith Airey is currently walking the Camino de Santiago aka Way of St.James - a traditional pilgrimage path through France & Spain.

His planned route takes him from St.Jean Pied du Port to Santiago de Compostela, a distance of over 550 miles.  

Keith is fundraising for The Samaritans in memory of his late nephew, William. Anyone wishing to donate to this worthy cause can do so via justgiving here

Premier League:
Squad list submitted
 
Friday saw the Premier League publish 25 man squad lists, Newcastle's selection including Lloyd Kelly, John Ruddy, Sandro Tonali and Odisseas Vlachodimos for the first time.

The appearance of sidelined duo Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles meanwhile hints at a return to action this year, while a further 52 players including William Osula and Garang Kuol* are included in the subsidiary list.

That latter also includes 18 year-old midfielder Muhamadou Sedibeh, claimed to have signed last summer after leaving Bradford City but not officially listed as a Magpie until now.

Omitted is Kyle Fitzgerald, predicted to complete his move from Galway United in January after turning 18. 

*Kuol's failure to leave on loan is reportedly due to having picked up a thigh injury in pre-season.

Non-league:
Grass roots 
coverage extends

Focusing on the region's non-league scene, The Football Pink offers news, reports and updates via various digital formats.

As well as their website, there's a thrice weekly email plus a Saturday night results round-up and full match reports on Sunday. More details here

The first edition of their 84 page printed magazine here meanwhile will be published on September 21st. 

Premier League:
Fulham (a)

Newcastle attempt to extend their unbeaten Premier League record this season to five games on Saturday, when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

It's an old-fashioned, non-televised 3pm kick-off.

Eddie Howe's side are looking for their third victory of 2024 at this venue, following a 2-0 FA Cup success in January and a 1-0 PL win in April.

Since a single goal reverse on the opening weekend of the 2016/17 Championship season, the Magpies have won five successive games at Craven Cottage in all competitions.

All 2,300 away end tickets are sold out and the previous neutral section is no longer available, but the hosts have placed tickets for this game on general sale.

FYI: previous public sales for this fixture saw tickets purchased with Northern postcodes initially allowed but then subsequently cancelled. You may also want to sit down when checking home ticket admission prices....

As for wearing colours, Newcastle shirts may attract unwanted attention but the hosts do of course play in black and white.

Team: Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Lewis Miley and Callum Wilson remain sidelined.

Coral rate this match as follows:

NUFC win 11/8
The draw 13/5
FFC win 7/4 

New customers receive a £20 bet when staking £5 (T's & C's apply). Find those markets online here 

FFC: Striker Carlos Vinicius is out with a calf issue.

Marco Silva's side began the season with a 0-1 loss at Manchester United followed by a 2-1 home victory over Leicester City.

Successive 1-1 draws then followed, away at Ipswich and at home to West Ham.

UK TV: None

Overseas TV: to follow

On sale NOW