Burnley (h) Resale/forwarding/member sale now 
PSG (h) Resale/forwarding open now
West Ham (a) ST holder sale now, 20pts

2023/24:
Hit the road Pep!

Newcastle  1  Manchester City  0 

Already bemoaning the fact that his side had to travel home by coach due to an absence of flights, City boss Pep Guardiola saw his hopes of Carabao Cup glory grounded at St. James' Park on Wednesday night. 

A 53rd minute strike by Alexander Isak ensured that Manchester City exited from this competition in the round that they entered for the first time since 2012 - and also lost their unbeaten domestic record this season. 

Before Pep & Co. had even begun their journey though, the draw for the Fourth Round draw took place and sent Newcastle across the M62 to the red half of Manchester, in a repeat of last season's Final.

That last 16 tie should be on Wednesday November 1st, with the Manchester PL derby at Old Trafford scheduled for the previous Sunday. Newcastle's fixture programme sees them at Wolves the Saturday before and at home to Arsenal the following Saturday.    

A Red Devils reunion is scant reward for a fabulous second half display from Eddie Howe's side, who had struggled in the opening 45 minutes but emerged revitalised after the interval and set about City.  

Isak was one of ten changes from Sunday's eight-goal record breakers, with only Nick Pope remaining from the starting line-up at Bramall Lane.

As well as first club starts for Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley, Paul Dummett featured for the first time in over a year and there was an unexpected and most welcome return from injury for Joelinton.

The Brazilian's strong forward run eight minutes after the restart was crucial; Jacob Murphy smartly gaining ground before finding Joelinton, who manoeuvered into the area and centred for Isak to convert at the Gallowgate End.

An uncomfortable opening period for the hosts had seen them struggle to retain possession and they took 41 minutes to create anything meaningful; Joelinton's tackle igniting a counter-attack and Isak playing Jacob Murphy in, only for him to be denied by goalkeeper Stefan Ortega making a timely block with his foot. 

A slicker and more composed City side dominated and racked up a vastly superior pass total, but were only an intermittent threat to Pope's goal - the custodian earning his fourth successive clean sheet by sticking out a boot to deny Julian Alvarez, with the Argentinean also firing across goal from a tight angle.

With Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes on for Hall and Miley, Eddie Howe's side were unrecognisable from the opening half; their energy and industry prompting roars of approval from the crowd as home players threw themselves into tackles, blocks and clearances both and after what proved to be the winner.  

Gutsy displays from Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles plus a man of the match showing from Livramento and a committed performance from Matt Targett saw an unfamiliar back four collectively defend superbly.

They kept out a strong, if not first choice, City forward line who never looked like fashioning an equaliser. Their manager meanwhile broke off from moaning about motorways to talk his way into the referee's notebook after visiting the home technical area at one point.

A tight calf saw Isak withdrawn as a precaution, while Dummett went off with cramp and Bruno remained on following treatment for an ankle knock. It was later confirmed that illness kept Martin Dubravka and Dan Burn out, while Callum Wilson and Sven Botman were carrying knocks from the weekend and unavailable. 

An unexpected and welcome win over the toughest of opponents was deservedly celebrated on and off the field at full time, as the upward trajectory of this season continues. Still fighting on four fronts....

Full match report to follow.

Team: Pope, Livramento, Lascelles, Dummett (Schar 90+4), Targett, L.Miley (Guimaraes 46), Tonali (Anderson 90), Hall (Gordon 46), J.Murphy, Isak (Almiron 62), Joelinton.
Subs n/u: Karius, Trippier, Manquillo, Ritchie.

Booked: Guimaraes, Tonali.

Goal: Isak 53.

MCFC: Ortega, Lewis, Akanji, Ake (Nunes 68), Gvardiol, Gomez Martin, Phillips, Kovacic (Doku 68), Bobb, Alvarez (Foden 74), Grealish.
Subs n/u: Carson, Ederson, Dias, Hamilton, Walker, Haaland.

Booked: Akanji, Phillips. (not on pitch) Guardiola.

Crowd: 51,692 including an extended away section up in L7 that looked to be just over 4,000.

The travelling support gave us one second half collector's item, namely a chorus of "you only sing when you're winning", something heard only once in a blue moon when these teams meet.....

Referee: Chris Kavanagh - a third appointment of 2023 for the whistler from Ashton-under-Lyne, barely five miles away from the Etihad Stadium. 

Presiding over the 2-1 win at Brentford, he returned for our 0-2 home loss to Arsenal - both games seeing him make controversial penalty calls influenced by VAR - which wasn't in operation for this tie.

Yet to referee a PL game this season, Kavanagh has taken charge of just two EFL fixtures to date.

VAR: n/a

Eddie Howe:

"Pre-game, the run last year was in our thoughts. It was an inspiration to us and helped our season, albeit the final maybe affected our league results. We look back on it with real pride.

"We want to try and go one further if we can but there is a long way to go at this stage. We are still there fighting.

"We were slightly imbalanced so we made changes at half time and were much better. The second half display was very, very good. I don't know whether we deserved it because it was a game of few chances but the players' attitude was first class.

"It was a game of two halves The first was tough and City played well. We didn't but defended well as we didn't have the ball.

"Second half we were excellent in most aspects, defensively and offensively. We attacked well and probably deserved to win in the end.

"There were tactical changes but the biggest thing was in belief. This is not a reflection on the lads we took off but the lads we brought on made a big difference. 

"With the ball we were a better team completely."

On Tino Livramento:

"He's trained really well. He's got great competition with Kieran Trippier for Premier League and Champions League time but we're going to have so many games this year. It was such an impressive performance...a great full debut for him."

On Joelinton:

"He was excellent in the second half and epitomised the improvement in the team's performance. For fitness levels and the fact he hasn't trained or played that much in the last few weeks, full credit to him."

On Lewis Miley:

"He's a player of outstanding talent and real potential. That's why I trusted him to play today - I don't just give opportunities for the sake of it. He's earned it - he'll grow from it."

Stats:

Tonight brought a first home win for Newcastle in all competitions over City in six attempts:

2023/24 Won 1-0 Isak (LC)
2022/23 Drew 3-3 Almiron, Wilson, Trippier
2021/22 Lost 0-4
2020/21 Lost 3-4 Krafth, Joelinton(pen), Willock
2019/20 Lost 0-2 (FAC)
2019/20 Drew 2-2 Willems, Shelvey
2018/19 Won 2-1 Rondon, Ritchie (pen)

City last failed to find the net on a visit to SJP in the 2005/06 season, when Newcastle won 1-0 in the PL. Their blank tonight was the first in 18 games here.

This was the first time since 2012/13 that the Magpies benefited from the exemption to this stage of the competition for European participants. 

It was the fifth time that the two sides were paired in the history of the League Cup. Newcastle have now won two to City's three: 

2023/34 R3 won 1-0 (SJP)
2014/15 R4 won 2-0 (Etihad)
2013/14 R4 lost 0-2 (SJP)
1994/95 R4 replay lost 0-2 (SJP)
1994/95 R4 drew 1-1 (Maine Road)
1975/76 F lost 1-2 (Wembley)

Carabao Cup Third Round results:

Tue 26.09.2023:
Bradford City 0-2 Boro
Exeter City 1-0 Luton Town
Ipswich Town 3-2 Wolves
Mansfield Town 2-2 Peterborough United (3-1pens)
Port Vale 2-1 Sutton United
Salford City 0-4 Burnley
Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace

Wed 27.09.2023:
Aston Villa 1-2 Everton 
Blackburn Rovers 5-2 Cardiff City
Bournemouth 2-0 Stoke City
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
Chelsea 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Fulham 2-1 Norwich City
Lincoln City 0-1 West Ham United
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester City
Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester City

Fourth Round draw:

Mansfield Town v Port Vale
Ipswich Town v Fulham
Manchester United v Newcastle
Bournemouth v Liverpool
Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers
West Ham v Arsenal
Everton v Burnley
Exeter City v Middlesbrough

Magpies v Red Devils in League Cup:

2022/23 lost 0-2 (Wembley)
2012/13 lost 1-2 (Old Trafford)
1994/95 won 2-0 (SJP)
1976/77 lost 2-7 (Old Trafford)

Champions League:
Transmission 

For anyone who missed out on the PSG home ticket ballot, Anarchy Brew Co have space left to watch the tie live on a 4m screen in their tap room just off Benfield Road (a short walk from Walkergate Metro).  

To guarantee your place, reserve online here

2023/24:
Young Parisians.... 

Admission details for Newcastle's European U19 Youth League tie against PSG next Wednesday (October 4th) have now been confirmed.

The tie is a 3pm kick-off at Gateshead International Stadium and tickets are now on public sale direct from them online here

Prices are £5 adults and £2 concessions (over 65s and U18s). Advance purchase online only: no admission on the day, no cash turnstiles and NUFC memberships and season tickets are not valid.

A 1,500 capacity limit applies, main stand only open, seating is unreserved, gates open at 2pm. 

United were beaten 0-4 at AC Milan in their opening tie, while PSG lost 0-1 at home to Borussia Dortmund.  

The young Magpies will return to Gateshead when they face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday October 25th (3pm), with the home tie against AC Milan a 2pm start at Whitley Park on Wednesday December 13th.

Premier League:
Lane sailing

Sheffield United  0  Newcastle  8  (E-I-G-H-T)

See the goals online here

Match report

Update:
Flash sale 

If you're quick then there's the chance to snaffle one of the fine Dinha reversible bucket hats from Football Bobbles, currently reduced to £14.99 online here

Unlikely lad:
Fergie's Highland fling 

SJP old boy Duncan Ferguson has been confirmed as the new boss of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who are currently bottom of the Scottish Championship. He's agreed a three year contract. 

The 51 year-old began his managerial career earlier this year at League One Forest Green Rovers, his first permanent post after interim roles at Everton.

However that proved to be less than successful, winning just one of his 18 games as the side were relegated and Ferguson departed in July.

2023/24:
Burnley (h) 

Saturday sees United look to record a third successive Premier League victory and clean sheet when the Clarets visit SJP for an old-fashioned 3pm kick-off.

The member ballot has now concluded while season ticket holders can now resell and forward tickets. Any resold tickets will be available online to members. 

Team: to follow

BFC: to follow

Ahead of their visit to Tyneside, Burnley made the short journey to Salford City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, running out 4-0 winners.

After their first five games back in the Premier League, the side overseen by Vincent Kompany and former SJP workie ticket Craig Bellamy have a solitary point.

That came from a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in what has been their only PL away game to date. Home meetings with Manchester City, Aston Villa, Spurs and Manchester United all ended with the visitors leaving Turf Moor in possession of the three points. 

Referee: Thomas Bramall from Manchester.   

A new name to us, although he has previously taken charge of United U21s. This will be the tenth Premier League game that the 33 year-old has handled, just over a year after his first one.

VAR: Jarred Gillett

Metro: No scheduled closures.

There will be no lift access from platform level at Monument, with alternatives in service at Central, Haymarket and St James.

Rail disruption updates: online here

Rail union ASLEF has announced a strike on Saturday, with the following train companies affected:

Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, c2c, Cross Country, East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, GWR, Island Line, LNER, Northern, Southeastern; Southern, Gatwick Express, South Western, TransPennine, West Midlands Trains.

A further strike is scheduled for Wednesday 4th October, plus an overtime ban on Friday 29th September and Monday 2nd to Friday 6th October.

Buses: Despite earlier publicity to the contrary, we now understand that the X50 football service from the Metro Centre will not be affected by strike action.

Road closures: Temporary road closures around the ground will be in place from an hour before kick-off until 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Foodbank: The usual stall and bucket shakers will be on Strawberry Place. NUFC Director Jamie Reuben continues to match all cash donations made on home PL matchdays.

UK TV: None

Overseas TV: to follow

2021/22 won 1-0 Wilson
2021/22 drew 0-0 (lost 3-4 pens) LC
2020/21 won 3-1 Saint-Maximin, Wilson 2
2019/20 drew 0-0
2018/19 won 2-0 Schar, S.Longstaff
2017/18 drew 1-1 Lascelles
2014/15 drew 3-3 S.Taylor, Colback, Sissoko
1982/83 won 3-0 Waddle, Varadi, Keegan
1979/80 drew 1-1 Davies
1978/79 won 3-1 Withe, Shoulder, Cassidy

Latest Premier League games:

Sat 30.09.2023:
Aston Villa v Brighton (12.30pm) TNT
Bournemouth v Arsenal (3pm)
Everton v Luton Town (3pm)
Manchester United v Crystal Palace (3pm)
Newcastle v Burnley (3pm)
West Ham v Sheffield United (3pm)
Wolves v Manchester City (3pm)
Spurs v Liverpool (5.30pm) Sky

Sun 01.10.2023:
Nottingham Forest v Brentford (2pm) Sky

Mon 02.10.2023:
Fulham v Chelsea (8pm) Sky

Tue 03.10.2023:
Luton Town v Burnley (7.30pm)

The borrowers: 
Loan lads

Max Thompson (Northampton Town):
With Max in goal, a young Town side exited from the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, drawing 2-2 at home with Chelsea U21s and losing 4-3 in the shootout.

Yankuba Minteh (Feyenoord):
The unplayed portion of Sunday's Eredivisie visit to Ajax is set to be played behind closed doors this Wednesday afternoon. Feyenoord held a 3-0 lead at the point that home fans threw missiles on the field.

Jeff Hendrick (Sheffield Wednesday):
mackems (h) Championship, Friday.
 
Harrison Ashby (Swansea City):
Millwall (a) Championship, Saturday.

Ryan Fraser (Southampton):
Leeds United (h) Championship, Saturday.

Jamal Lewis (Watford):
Boro (h) Championship, Saturday.

Kelland Watts (Wigan Athletic):
Portsmouth (h) League One, Saturday.

Matty Bondswell (Newport County):
Salford City (a) League Two, Saturday.

Joe White (Crewe Alexandra):
Wrexham, League Two, Saturday.

Jay Turner-Cooke (St Johnstone):
Livingston (h) Scottish Premiership, Saturday.

Cameron Ferguson (Forfar Athletic):
East Fife (a) Scottish League Two, Saturday.

Isaac Hayden (Standard Liege):
OH Leuven (a) Belgian First Division, Saturday.

Garang Kuol (Volendam):
PSV Eindhoven (a) Eredivisie, Saturday.

Rodrigo Vilca (Vozdovac):
Novi Pazar (a) Serbian Super Liga, Saturday.

2023/24:
PSG (h) 

The second game of Newcastle's Champions League Group Stage campaign sees reigning French Ligue 1 Champions Paris Saint-Germain to SJP for the first time since their formation in 1970.

It's an 8pm kick-off on Wednesday October 4th and shown live on TNT Sports. 

There was no public sale for this tie, with season ticket holders who signed up to the relevant cup scheme receiving tickets for their own seats (or alternatives issued to them at NUFC's discretion to accommodate visiting VIPs etc.) 

These can now be forwarded or resold to NUFC, with any resold tickets available online to members on a first come, first served basis from 10am on Thursday. 

A ballot of season ticket holders not signed up to the relevant cup scheme and members has now finished. Anyone who received a ticket from the ballot has no legitimate option to resell or forward that ticket - but there's nothing to prevent forwarding the relevant confirmation email before downloading the ticket....

Team: to follow

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

PSG: The visitors face a league trip to Clermont on Saturday. It's unclear whether Kylian Mbappe will feature after injury forced him off during the opening half of PSG's 4-0 win over Marseille last Sunday.

Expect to see ex-Magpie Yohan Cabaye at SJP for this tie; the retired midfielder now has an off-field role with PSG's academy, who face Newcastle U19s over the river at Gateshead on Wednesday afternoon. 

Referee: TBC 

VAR: TBC

Metro: The early closure of Haymarket station during this week has been suspended on Wednesday.

There will be no lift access from platform level at Monument, with alternatives in service at Central, Haymarket and St James.

Rail disruption updates: online here

Rail union ASLEF has announced a strike for today, with the following train companies affected:

Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, c2c, Cross Country, East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, GWR, Island Line, LNER, Northern, Southeastern; Southern, Gatwick Express, South Western, TransPennine, West Midlands Trains.

Buses: Despite earlier publicity to the contrary, we now understand that the X50 football service from the Metro Centre will not be affected by strike action.

Road closures: Temporary road closures around the ground will be in place from an hour before kick-off until 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Foodbank: The usual stall and bucket shakers will be on Strawberry Place from 6pm.

UK TV: Live on TNT Sports

Overseas TV: to follow

2023/24:
Fortress Little Benton!

Newcastle U18s  3  Blackburn Rovers U18s  0

It's now played three won three at home this season for United's U18 side, following their latest conquest against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

A bright start by the black and whites failed to produce a goal, both Joe Brayson and Darren Palmer firing narrowly wide from Leo Shahar's deliveries.

Rovers were given the chance to open the scoring on 34 minutes when goalkeeper Aidan Harris impeded Junior Nsango at the cost of a penalty.

Nsango got up to take the kick but pinged his effort of the angle of crossbar and post - United's Travis Hernes rattling the goal frame at the other end soon after.

Newcastle went ahead two minutes after the restart when Trevan Sanusi touched home Shahar's centre from the right.

That lead was in danger just four minutes later when Rovers were awarded another spot kick; Zack Stritch this time stepping up to see his effort blocked by Harris, who was on the bench in Milan on Tuesday.

Match referee Samuel Ross gave his third penalty of the afternoon on 56 minutes, Brayson sending Adam Khan the wrong way from 12 yards for 2-0.

Graham Carrick's youngsters opened up a three goal lead on the hour mark, thanks to a close range finish from substitute Josh Donaldson (initially credited by the PL reporter as Darren Palmer but now altered). 

Sanusi was then denied a fourth by Khan before going off - a lively display from the home debutant the highlight of an encouraging team performance.

One has to go back to 2016/17 for the last season that the club's U18 side took maximum points from their opening three home league games.

Team: Harris, Shahar, Charlton, Munda (Emerson 46), Watts, Craggs, Brayson (Donaldson 58), Hernes, Neave (Bryant 69), Palmer, Sanusi (R.Powell 72).
Sub n/u: Harrison.

2023/24: 
Late agony at Albion

Brighton U21s  1  Newcastle U21s  1

Match report

Update: 
Colin Ayre RIP

The passing of former Magpie Colin Ayre has been announced, at the age of 67.

The Ashington-born winger was on the books at Gallowgate from 1973 to 1975 but left without making a competitive senior appearance.

Moving to Holland to play for Ijmuiden-based Telstar, he returned to England with Torquay United before spells with Ashington and Blyth Spartans.

A longer second stint with Telstar came in 1978, before Ayre moved on to Austria, appearing for both Wacker Innsbruck and SPG Raika Innsbruck.

Returning to the North East, an elongated spell in local football saw him still playing Sunday League aged 50.

On sale NOW