Brighton (h) Forwarding/resale now
West Ham (a) ST sale now 4pts

2024/25:
Anfield anguish again

Liverpool  2  Newcastle  0

Wednesday saw Newcastle extend their winless Premier League run at Anfield to 29 games - failing to register a single shot on target in the absence of Alexander Isak.

United's top scorer missed out with what was described as a slight groin strain, Callum Wilson recalled to start his first league game since May 2024 and lasting 69 minutes before making way for William Osula.

Wilson had two shots on goal - one offside - without testing home goalkeeper Allison - but otherwise the 3,000 away fans endured another 90 tedious minutes on a par with the last away game at Manchester City.

The Magpies had actually taken the lead on three of their last five visits to Anfield before succumbing to Liverpool attacks, but tonight's outcome was never in doubt after the 11th minute of the opening half.

Fabian Schar failed to stop Luis Diaz advancing down the left and when the Colombian cut the ball back from the byline, Dominik Szoboslai netted with a shot that went through two sets of legs and took a slight deflection off Burn before beating Nick Pope with what was Liverpool's 100th league and cup goal so far this season.

Further home goals could have followed; Newcastle's perpetual nemesis Mo Salah cutting in from the right to fire narrowly over from distance and Szoboslai also not too far away from calling Pope into action.

At the other end, a perfect through ball from Dan Burn released Wilson but he sliced the ball wide with only Alisson between him and the Kop End net.

United did find some space down their right flank in the opening half, but Jacob Murphy struggled to provide service from that area and received little help from his colleagues, Bruno Guimaraes in particular a non-entity and Anthony Gordon continually hassled by opponents and home supporters alike.

One behind at the interval, neither side made any real impact in an uneventful opening to the second period, before the Reds moved closer to claiming the title with a second goal just after the hour mark - as challengers Arsenal were dropping points at Nottingham Forest.

Alexis Mac Allister began the move after Sandro Tonali surrendered possession and the Argentinean was in the right place to receive a return pass from Salah in the box, before stylishly sweeping the ball home.

That prompted the replacement of four visiting players - messrs Wilson, Tonali, Livramento and Willock making way for Osula, Miley, Trippier and Barnes.

A third home goal was then wiped out by VAR for a foul before Pope denied Salah. The visitors meanwhile won a couple of corners that were easily dealt with.
 
As a dress rehearsal for next month's Carabao Cup Final next month, those clad in black and white tonight gave no grounds for optimism that our 70 year quest for silverware search is in any danger of ending soon.

The return of Isak, Joelinton and Sven Botman may lessen our chances of becoming the first team ever to lose three League Cup Finals, but we'll have to show rather more fight there than in this dreary display.

Despite conceding an early goal again, United should have gone in level at half-time against a Reds side who did enough to win without overly exerting themselves. 

They may be the best on the planet, but tonight they only needed to be competent. Maybe we're just lulling them into a false sense of security, maybe....

Like visits to the Etihad, coming to Anfield is a uniformly miserable experience when we seem to be a beaten team before the first whistle sounds. 

Sadly, that also applies to Wembley...

Victories for Chelsea on Tuesday and Manchester City on Wednesday left Newcastle sixth in the table - four points off third spot and two points ahead of tenth.

Full match report to follow.

Team: Pope, Livramento (Trippier 69), Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali (Miley 69), Willock (Barnes 68), Guimaraes (Longstaff 88), Murphy, Wilson (Osula 69), Gordon.
Subs n/u: Dubravka, Ruddy, Targett, Krafth.

Booked: Murphy.

LFC: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (Quansah 77), Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Gravenberch (Endo 77), Mac Allister (Jones 87), Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz (Nunez 87), Diego Jota (Gakpo 62).
Subs n/u: Kelleher, Chiesa, Elliott, Robertson.

Booked: None.

Goals: Szoboszlai 11, Mac Allister 63.

Home boss Arne Slot was missing from the touchline after his two-match ban for transgressions following the Everton game was confirmed on Wednesday morning.

Crowd: 60,374. United's 3,000 tickets were sold out.

Eddie Howe said:

"We played OK tonight, decent performance. Disappointed with goals we conceded.

"The first goal we don't track him into the box. We're fighting in the game after that to try and get the next goal. But then we do exactly the same thing. Two soft goals.

On Callum Wilson:

"Callum will always back himself and we back him to take the chances, they're not easy opportunities. He played well tonight, led the line and played well."

On having no shots on target: 

"Not good, can't sit there and say we planned that. We had opportunities, obviously you're not going to get an abundance of chances here so when you do you have to take them and we didn't do that tonight."

On lessons for facing Liverpool again at Wembley: 

"You always learn, sometimes you learn more in defeat than victory an two games against them this season we've been competitive but we have to perform better than today if we want to win the trophy.

"We need to find our best rhythm again, we have a few players out missing hopefully we can get them back. Big games, big moments in our season. We're still in both cups and we want to stay that way."

Referee: Stuart Attwell - the Warwickshire whistler took charge of his third Newcastle game this season, following the 4-0 win at Ipswich Town and 1-4 home defeat by Bournemouth.

(Attwell was a late replacement for Chris Kavanagh, switching from Thursday's West Ham v Leicester City game - reason unknown).

VAR: Matthew Donohue

Stats: 

Liverpool have now lost just once in 28 PL games this season, a 0-1 home defeat by Nottingham Forest last September. That game was also the last time that the Reds failed to find the net in the PL.

Magpies @ Anfield: PL era:

2024/25 Lost 0-2
2023/24 Lost 2-4 Isak, Botman
2022/23 Lost 1-2 Isak
2021/22 Lost 1-3 Shelvey
2020/21 Drew 1-1 Willock
2019/20 Lost 1-3 Willems
2018/19 Lost 0-4
2017/18 Lost 0-2
2015/16 Drew 2-2 Cisse, Colback
2014/15 Lost 0-2
2013/14 Lost 1-2 og(Skrtel)
2012/13 Drew 1-1 Cabaye
2011/12 Lost 1-3 og(Agger)
2010/11 Lost 0-3
2008/09 Lost 0-3
2007/08 Lost 0-3
2006/07 Lost 0-2
2005/06 Lost 0-2
2004/05 Lost 1-3 Kluivert
2003/04 Drew 1-1 Ameobi
2003/04 Lost 1-2 Robert (FAC)
2002/03 Drew 2-2 Speed, Shearer
2001/02 Lost 0-3
2000/01 Lost 0-3
1999/00 Lost 1-2 Shearer
1998/99 Lost 2-4 Solano, Andersson
1997/98 Lost 0-1
1996/97 Lost 3-4 Gillespie, Asprilla, Barton
1995/96 Lost 3-4 Ferdinand, Ginola, Asprilla
1995/96 Won 1-0 Watson (LC)
1994/95 Lost 0-2
1993/94 Won 2-0 Lee, Cole

Latest PL results/fixture:

Tue 25.02.2025:
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
Wolves 1-2 Fulham
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton

Wed 26.02.2025:
Brentford 1-1 Everton
Manchester United 3-2 Ipswich Town
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
Spurs 0-1 Manchester City
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle

Thu 27.02.2025:
West Ham v Leicester City (8pm) TNT

Bucket list:
Hat compo answer

As modelled by a certain local musician, the Shearer reversible bucket hat from Tyneside-based Football Bobbles is ideal for winding your way down on Baker Street and along Wembley Way come March 16th.

Available to buy here, we had one up for grabs and asked how many times Alan Shearer played at Wembley Stadium for Newcastle United.

The answer was four (two FA Cup finals, one FA Cup semi-final and one Charity Shield) and the name of the winning entrant will appear here on Thursday.

U21s:
Robins rob Magpies

Altrincham  3  Newcastle U21s  3 
(Altrincham win 3-2 on pens)



Match action

Newcastle U21s exited from the National League Cup at the quarter-final stage to Altrincham on Tuesday.

With the scoreline standing 3-3 after 90 minutes, the tie went straight to a penalty shootout at Moss Lane.

The hosts won that 3-2 as follows (AFC went first):

Griffiths saved 0-0
Alfie Harrison scored 1-0
Reddin scored 1-1
Ellis Stanton missed 1-1
Cooper missed 1-1
Jay Turner-Cooke scored 2-1
Kosylo scored 2-2
Sean Neave saved 2-2
Amaluzor scored 2-3
Leo Shahar missed 2-3

The hosts went ahead after six minutes, Kahrel Reddin cutting in from the left flank and placing his shot beyond visiting goalkeeper James Taylor.

Alty doubled their advantage with 10 minutes played, Kian Taylor left unattended to head home following a corner kick by Elliot Osborne.

That lead was halved on 19 minutes however, Garang Kuol beating debutant Rob Lainton from 25 yards.

And parity was restored just before the half hour mark when Lainton upended Jay Turner-Cooke in the box and the Newcastle man got to convert the penalty kick.

Into the second half and United went ahead for the first time in the tie on 57 minutes when Kuol dispossessed a defender before burying a low effort past replacement custodian Harvey Randle.

Chances were then made and missed at both ends; Johnny Emerson denied by Randle on 61 minutes and Reddin seeing his shot strike the goal frame before Taylor grabbed it on the goal line five minutes later.

The second spot kick award of the evening then came with 13 minutes of normal time remaining, Magpies substitute Rory Finneran fouling Remi Thompson.

Up stepped Joe Nuttall, but paused too long in his run-up to try and dummy Taylor - the Alty player ending up with a booking for his trouble and United restarting play with a free kick.

The home side levelled the tie in the final seconds, a cross from the left headed home by Justin Amaluzor.

Remi Thompson then missed a glaring chance to win two minutes into five added on, firing over from six yards.

That was the last meaningful action, sending the tie into a penalty shootout that the Magpies lost 2-3.

Team: Taylor, Shahar, Charlton, Bailey (Finneran 46), Heffernan, C.Thompson, Kuol (Ferreira 90+1), Stanton, Neave, Turner-Cooke, Emerson (Al.Harrison 75). 
Subs n/u: Craggs, Anderson, Brayson, Palmer.

Booked: Finneran

AFC: Lainton (Randle 46), Cooper, Osborne (Griffiths 14), Taylor, Kosylo, Weaver (Amaluzor 46), Reddin, Golden (Banks 46), Nuttall, Bickerstaff (Thompson 73), Pasiek. 
Subs n/u: J.Jones, Crawford.

Booked: Taylor, Nuttall

Referee: William Davis

Crowd: 623

Although the Magpies had visited Moss Lane previously in reserve and junior games against Manchester United, this was the first time that these two sides had met.

Thanks to GW

Premier League:
Magpies make a meal 
of Sunday lunch date

Newcastle  4  Nottingham Forest  3

Match report 

Carabao Cup:
Pot 6 update

Those who entered the Pot 6 ballot for Carabao Cup Final should have now received emails confirming their success or failure.

Seat selection is open from Noon on Wednesday for 24 hours. Full details of the process online here

NSC:
Highwaymen off to SJP 

Tuesday saw the first of this season's Northumberland Senior Cup semi-final ties, Morpeth Town defeating Ashington 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

That means the 2023 competition winners will return to Gallowgate for the final, where they will face either Newcastle U21s or Heaton Stannington.

The second Senior Cup semi-final will take place at the Grounsell Park home of the Stan on Tuesday March 11th* at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale now here

* That has been rescheduled from Monday March 3rd. 

Tickets for the original date will be valid and anyone unable to attend can gain a refund by emailing [email protected] with their order number.

Internationals:
Toon duo called up 

Newcastle youngsters Sam Alabi and Michael Mills are included in the 20-strong England U16 squad heading to Spain this week to contest a four team tournament. 

The Young Lions will head to the Pinatar Arena to play games as follows:

Fri 28.02.2025 Colombia
Sun 02.03.2025 Denmark
Wed 05.03.2025 France

Old boy:
Dawson exits City 

Former Newcastle U21 coach - and briefly interim first team boss - Ben Dawson has left his post on the Leicester City coaching staff.

The 44 year-old moved to the Foxes last July to work under Steve Cooper, taking charge of the side for once game in November and remaining at the King Power Stadium when Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed. 

Dawson spent a decade at the Magpies that included a stint in charge of the senior side in 2019, between the departure of Rafa Benitez and arrival of Steve Bruce.

U18s:
Double delight 
for youngsters

Newcastle U18s  3  Liverpool U18s  1

Saturday saw Newcastle U18s win only their second home league game of the season, doing the double over Liverpool following a 3-2 away success last September. 

In mild and sunny conditions at Little Benton, the Reds took an early lead; Schofield Lonmeni pushing down the right and Joe Bradshaw's pull back dispatched by Kareem Ahmed with a first time shot in only the fifth minute.

Clear-cut chances for either side were in short supply from that point; Josh Sonni-Lambie's shot pushed on to the crossbar by home 'keeper Will Anderson in the 26th minute and United's Kasey Wooster similarly grazing the goal frame two minutes before the break.

It took just six minutes of the second period to bring the equaliser, substitute Kyle Fitzgerald advancing down the right before the overlapping Henry Johnson crossed low to the back post for Michael Mills to fire in.

That gave the home side added impetus and with the visitors looking vulnerable, further Newcastle goals weren't long in arriving.

A back heel by Michael Mills towards the left hand corner flag on the hour gave Sam Alabi the chance to centre - centre forward Kacey Wooster in the right place to finish from six yards via the underside of the bar.

Mills almost got another a minute after the restart but Reds' 'keeper Bailey Hall denied him at the near post.

With 15 minutes remaining Hall brought down Fitzgerald in the box and Wooster made no mistake from the spot with a confident low conversion for 3-1.

That left a travel-sick Reds side with just one point from a possible 21 on the road so far this season. 

Team: Anderson, Johnson, Bloomer (Epia 85), Watts, Craggs, Cogdon, Waddani (Fitzgerald 46), Harper (O'Donovan 66), Wooster, Alabi, Mills (Durrant 85.
Sub n/u: Holland.

Loan lads:
Temps 

Magpie loan watch:

Travis Hernes (AaB):
Following his competitive debut at the weekend, Wednesday saw a first start for the midfielder in a 1-2 home loss to Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga.

James Huntley (Spennymoor Town)
A 0-1 home loss at the hands of Marine in National League North on Tuesday night saw James once again omitted from the matchday squad - reason tbc.

Charlie McArthur (Carlisle United)
Barrow (a) League Two, Thursday.

Harrison Ashby (QPR)
Sheffield United (h) Championship, Saturday.

Isaac Hayden (Portsmouth) 
Luton Town (a) Championship, Saturday.

Alex Murphy (Bolton Wanderers)
Wrexham (a) League One,  Saturday.

Max Thompson (Chesterfield)
Crewe Alexandra (h) League Two, Saturday.

Joe White (MK Dons)
Colchester United (h) League Two, Saturday.

Miodrag Pivas (Willem II)
Sparta Rotterdam (a) Eredivisie, Sunday.

U21s:
Gone with the wind

Arsenal U21s  4  Newcastle U21s  1

Match report

Update:
Reds paired with PSG

Following Friday's last 16 draw for the Champions League, Liverpool's fixture list leading up to their Carabao Cup Final against Newcastle is now set:

Wed 05.03.2025 PSG (a) CL
Sat 08.03.2025 Southampton (h) PL
Tue 11.03.2025 PSG (h) CL
Sun 16.03.2025 Newcastle (n) CC 

That compares to Newcastle's schedule:

Sun 02.03.2025 Brighton (h) FA
Mon 10.03.2025 West Ham (a) PL
Sun 16.03.2025 Liverpool (n) CC

FA Cup:
Brighton (h)

Newcastle's FA Cup Fifth Round home tie against the Seagulls is a 1.45pm kick-off on Sunday.

The winners will take their place in the quarter final draw, on a date and time yet to be announced.

Albion look to have sold around 1,100 tickets.

Team: To follow

BHAFC: Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner and Igor Julio will miss out, while Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk and Jason Steele are all doubtful.

Fabian Hurzeler's side come to Tyneside on a four game winning run in all competitions, defeating Bournemouth 2-1 at home in the Premier League on Tuesday evening.

Referee: Anthony Taylor - a third Newcastle game of the season for the Cheshire-based official, following on from the 3-1 PL win at Nottingham Forest and a 3-0  PL home victory over Aston Villa.

VAR: Graham Scott

VAR will operate at all eight ties and referees will announce decisions after reviewed incidents as was the case in the latter stages of the Carabao Cup.

Semi-Automated Offside Technology will also operate in all but one of the ties* the first time this system has been used in competitive matches in English football. 

* Preston's Deepdale ground doesn't have it installed.

UK TV: Live on ITV1, STV, ITVX & STV Player