Brentford (h) Ballot closes Tue 11.03, Noon
Leicester City (a) ST sale now, 15pts
Man United (h) Ballot opens Mon 17.03, Noon
Palace (h) Ballot opens Mon 24.03, Noon

2024/25:
North Eastenders!

West Ham  0  Newcastle  1

Following predictable losses at Manchester City and Liverpool, Newcastle's European challenge was revived by victory at one of their favourite away grounds.

A close-range effort by Bruno Guimaraes divided the two sides after an instantly forgettable encounter when only the three points that lifted Eddie Howe's side back into sixth position ultimately mattered.  

The Magpies have now lost just once in eight visits to the London Stadium, this success their 150th Premier League away win - and twelfth against the Hammers.

The hosts almost got off to the perfect start; Tomas Soucek receiving a pass from Mohammed Kudus in front of goal with 44 seconds on the clock, only to hoist his effort way over Nick Pope's crossbar.

The goalkeeper was one of three changes from the side eliminated from the FA Cup by Brighton, getting the nod over Martin Dubravka.

Back came Jacob Murphy and Bruno at the expense of the suspended Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley, while 17 year-old striker Sean Neave was named on the bench for the first time in the Premier League.

Graham Potter's side had beaten Arsenal and Leicester City in their previous two league fixtures, but their initial eagerness here soon gave way to a listless display befitting a mid-table side badly lacking firepower.

Harvey Barnes tested Alphonse Areola with a first-time effort from Kieran Trippier's centre on 20 minutes and tried his luck with a header soon after, but it lacked power and the goalkeeper got a hand to it.

That trio of opportunities proved to be the high points of an opening 45 minutes as low-key as the atmosphere.

Nothing much changed after the break as the green and white clad visitors struggled to create shooting chances and the supply lines into the box were barren.

That all changed just after the hour though, when Murphy pinged a centre across the six yard box from the right that Maximilian Kilman diverted towards his own goal - Areola pulling off a notable stop and Alexander Isak unable to keep his shot from the rebound down.

Newcastle were ahead two minutes later; Barnes playing a ball in from the left hand side of the goal for Bruno to pounce and force home from close in - a speedy VAR check disproving claims by home players that Isak had interfered with a defender as the cross was played.   

And that really was that: the Hammers ending up with two strikers on the field who have caused Newcastle harm previously in the shape of Danny Ings and Evan Ferguson, but precious little in the way of quality deliveries to allow them to threaten Pope's goal.

What feels like an important victory was a tough watch at times, with what looks like the essence of the team to face Liverpool hardly pulling up any trees, but they look to have avoided any further ailments or incidents.

The manner of the success won't fill Arne Slot's lot with any fear but hopefully PSG can meddle with his plans on Tuesday night at Anfield in the Champions League. 

This result means that Howe's team will walk out at Wembley on Sunday with a 100% league and cup record in London during 2025: PL wins at Spurs and West Ham book-ending the Carabao Cup success at Arsenal.

Full report to follow.

Team: Pope, Trippier, Livramento, Burn, Schar, Guimaraes (Longstaff 88), Tonali, Joelinton, J.Murphy, Barnes (Willock 79), Isak (Wilson 79).
Subs n/u: Dubravka, Targett, Krafth, Miley, Osula, Neave. 

Booked: Burn

Goal: Guimaraes 63 

WHUFC: Areola, Cresswell (Ferguson 59), Kilman, Todibo (Mavropanos 65), Scarles, Alvarez (Soler 65), Ward-Prowse (Ings 84), Soucek (Lucas Paqueta 65), Wan-Bissaka, Kudus, Bowen.
Subs n/u: Fabianski, Guilherme, Emerson, Rodriguez. 

Crowd: 62,463 including 3,000 away fans.

England boss Thomas Tuchel was in attendance.

Eddie Howe: 

"Massive win, not our best game, but one of our best games. Always going to be tight and difficult team to play against. We were everything defensively that we haven't been in recent weeks.

"Challenging week but really pleased. That was a hard- fought win for us. Based on good defensive work from the team.

"I thought Harvey (Barnes) had his moments and his assist for the goal was a top-quality cross. He's capable of those decisive moments. So really pleased for him and Bruno to get the goal.

"One of our best wins of the season, not in terms of performance but desire and heart.

"All the big ingredients you need to be a successful team. Need to win when the game is tight and find a way to get over the line. We defended really well after the first three minutes which were a bit scary. 

"Deserved win."

Referee: Michael Salisbury - first Toon game of the season for the Lancashire whistler, last seen taking charge of the 2-2 Premier League home draw with Bournemouth in February 2024.

VAR: Alex Chilowicz

Stats: 

Bruno Guimaraes scored his 20th goal for United, all but one of which have come in the PL. He now has three to his name this season.

Newcastle recorded their seventh PL away win of the season, one more than they managed in 2023/24. They have only won more games on the road in a 38 game PL season three times in 27 seasons (nine in 2001/02 and eight in 2011/12 and 2022/23).

The Magpies remain unbeaten in their white and green change kit after five outings: 1-1 at Bournemouth, 0-0 at Everton, 1-1 at Crystal Palace, 4-0 at Ipswich Town and now 1-0 at West Ham.

Newcastle are now unbeaten in their last six visits to the London Stadium and have lost just one of their eight visits to that venue.

Magpies @ Hammers - PL era:
(2017/18 onwards at London Stadium)

2024/25 Won 1-0 Guimaraes
2023/24 Drew 2-2 Isak 2
2022/23 Won 5-1 Wilson 2, Joelinton 2, Isak
2021/22 Drew 1-1 Willock
2020/21 Won 2-0 Wilson, Hendrick
2019/20 Won 3-2 Clark, Fernandez, Shelvey
2018/19 Lost 0-2
2017/18 Won 3-2 Saivet, Diame, Atsu
2015/16 Lost 0-2
2014/15 Lost 0-1
2013/14 Won 3-1 Cabaye 2, Remy
2012/13 Drew 0-0
2010/11 Won 2-1 Nolan, Carroll
2008/09 Lost 1-3 Owen
2007/08 Drew 2-2 Martins, Geremi
2006/07 Won 2-0 Duff, Martins
2005/06 Won 4-2 Owen 3, Shearer
2002/03 Drew 2-2 Bellamy, Jenas
2001/02 Lost 0-3
2000/01 Lost 0-1
1999/00 Lost 1-2 Speed
1998/99 Lost 0-2
1997/98 Won 1-0 Barnes
1996/97 Drew 0-0
1995/96 Lost 0-2
1994/95 Won 3-1 Sellars, Lee, Mathie
1993/94 Won 4-2 Cole, Lee 2, Mathie

NUFC Monday night PL away games*:

Oct 2011 Stoke City (a) won 3-1
Mar 2012 Arsenal (a) lost 1-2
Sep 2012 Everton (a) drew 2-2
Dec 2012 Fulham (a) lost 1-2
Aug 2013 Manchester City (a) lost 0-4
Sep 2013 Everton (a) lost 2-3
Apr 2014 Arsenal (a) lost 0-3
Sep 2014 Stoke City (a) lost 0-1
Apr 2015 Liverpool (a) lost 0-2
Sep 2015 West Ham (a) lost 0-2
Mar 2016 Leicester City (a) lost 0-1
Oct 2017 Burnley (a) lost 0-1
Apr 2018 Everton (a) lost 0-1
Nov 2018 Burnley (a) won 2-1
Feb 2019 Wolves (a) drew 1-1
Apr 2019 Arsenal (a) lost 0-2
Nov 2019 Aston Villa (a) lost 0-2
Jul 2020 Brighton (a) drew 0-0
Jan 2021 Arsenal (a) lost 0-3
Feb 2021 Chelsea (a) lost 0-2
Mar 2024 Chelsea (a) lost 2-3
Mar 2025 West Ham (a) won 1-0 

* not including festive Mondays

Results before Wembley SF & F  - all-time:

1923/24 Aston Villa (a) lost 1-6 D1
1931/32 Portsmouth (a) lost 0-6 D1
1950/51 Manchester United (a) lost 0-2 D1
1951/52 Aston Villa (h) won 6-1 D1
1954/55 Spurs (a) lost 1-2 D1
1973/74 Burnley (a) drew 1-1 D1
1975/76 Bolton Wanderers (n) won 2-1 FA
1997/98 Blackburn Rovers (a) lost 0-1 PL
1998/99 Blackburn Rovers (h) drew 1-1 PL
1999/00 Bradford City (h) won 2-0 PL
2022/23 Liverpool (h) lost 0-2 PL
2024/25 West Ham (a) won 1-0 PL

Newcastle recorded their 150th PL away win and the twelfth at West Ham, drawing level with Spurs as the most fertile ground(s) for the Magpies.

The Magpies kept their first clean sheet in seven PL fixtures since a 3-0 home win over Wolves in January.

Latest PL results:

Sat 08.03.2025:
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Manchester City
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Fulham
Crystal Palace 1-0 Ipswich Town
Liverpool 3-1 Southampton
Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa
Wolves 1-1 Everton

Sun 09.03.2025:
Chelsea 1-0 Leicester City
Spurs 2-2 Bournemouth
Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

Mon 10.03.2025:
West Ham 0-1 Newcastle

Giveaway:
Cup trio honoured

Following the recent Anthony Gordon badge issues, new designs from Magpin capture Jacob Murphy, Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak celebrating goals that helped the Magpies to reach Wembley this season.   

These are all available separately online here and we have a set of three badges to give away. 

To stand a chance of winning, send your answer to this question via email to [email protected] by Noon on Wednesday March 12th, subject line of Magpin. 

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali signed for AC Milan in 2020 from which other Serie A side? 

No age limit, open to anyone anywhere in the world but delivery only to UK addresses. One entry per person.

Ex-Mags:
Mitro/Psycho latest

Former Magpie Aleksander Mitrovic is currently under observation in a Riyadh hospital after concerns over a rapid heartbeat were raised over the weekend.

Now 30 and playing in Saudi Arabia, the Serbian striker made a scoring return from a hamstring injury for his current club Al-Hilal on Friday.

News of Mitrovic's hospitalisation follows that of fellow SJP old boy Stuart Pearce, who was rushed to a facility in Canada last Monday, March 3rd.

The 62 year-old suffered a medical emergency during a flight from Las Vegas to London Heathrow, the plane diverting to make an emergency landing in St. Johns. 

Pearce remains in hospital but is conscious. No further details of the medical emergency have been released.

U18s:
Potters punished

Newcastle U18s  4  Stoke City U18s  1

Having put four goals past Wolves last weekend, the U18s repeated the feat against Stoke City at a sunny Little Benton on Saturday morning to win their third successive league game.

In-form striker Kacey Wooster made it five goals in just three league games, confidently dispatching his 25th minute penalty kick after City's Ben Sheaf nudged Kyle Fitzgerald in the area.

And it was Fitzgerald who got the second two minutes after the interval with a shot from the edge of the box.

The Potters pulled one back in the 62nd minute when United failed to clear their lines and Oghi Enabulele fired beyond goalkeeper Will Anderson.

The young Magpies restored their two goal advantage after 75 minutes when Fitzgerald beat Ben Chivers at his near post - his third goal in two starts at this level since signing from Galway United earlier this year.

United got a slightly fortunate fourth five minutes into added time, substitute Matthew Taylor seeing his shot strike a defender and loop over the goalkeeper.

Turkish midfielder Baran Yildiz made his debut at this level as a late substitute, a month after the 18 year-old completed a permanent switch from Genclerbirligi. 

Team: Anderson, Bloomer, Durrant, Johnson, Epia (Craggs 65), Cogdon, Fitzgerald, Harper, Wooster (Yildiz 86), O'Donovan (Taylor 65), Ferreira (Waddani 80).
Sub n/u: Jones.

Booked: Bloomer, Anderson, Durrant, Fitzgerald.

U21s:
Second string success

Boro U21s  0  Newcastle U21s  2

Match report

2025/26:
ST price rise confirmed

NUFC have announced 2025/26 season ticket prices and while some other PL clubs have frozen their charges, a 5% increase on standard adult prices will apply at SJP - hardly a shock given current PSR pressures, but a further unwanted drain on resources for supporters.

Season ticket holders who were on the long-term price freeze deals that have all now expired will see 2025/26 ticket prices increase to the standard pricing level. 

As an example, adult 1892 Club tickets will increase from £635 (£33.42 per game) to £1,083 (£57 per game).

There's no increase in junior ticket prices again and the current range of concessionary prices will continue to be offered - that's in contrast to several other PL clubs who have axed price categories such as Young Persons.

A new 12 month interest-free direct debit schedule will appear in place of the previous eight month option.

ST holders currently paying via Direct Debit will be contacted by email to confirm payment details and auto-renewal will apply.

Other ST holders can renew their seats online via the club website from Mon 10.03.2025 @ 10am until Fri 21.03.2025 @ 5pm. 

(Emails sent out to ST holders who pay in a single instalment reference a payment date of late April).

Find full details online here

Domestic home cup scheme ticket pricing will remain unchanged from the 2024/25 rates as follows: 

CC: £20 & £25 adults / £10 & £15 others 
FA: £30 & £35 adults / £15 & £20 others

Details of how to join the cup schemes and the latest dates to do so is yet to be announced.

In the event that European qualification is achieved, no indication as to the ticket prices has been given. 

There's no mention of what memberships or single PL game prices will be next season for those purchasing via ballots or member general sale.

PS: There's no mention of any change in current season ticket policy for new applicants - with none available to purchase and no mention of any queueing system.

PPS: There's also nothing to suggest that the rumoured relocation of away sections will actually become a reality, with consequent knock-on effects for home fans.

Fundraiser:
Charity auction  

Bidding in the latest Percy Hedley Foundation charity auction is now underway, with a variety of signed NUFC-related items available to bid on:

Find the auction online here

Monies raised help to benefit the work of the Percy Hedley Foundation in the region, supporting various initiatives to improve the lives of disabled people.

Update:
Financial results 

Tuesday saw NUFC release their latest financial results, for the year ending June 30th 2024.

The club's revenues have increased from £140.2m in 2021, £180m in 2022 and £250.3m in 2023 to £320.3m.

Find the results online here

PS: Regarding SJP, the financial report doesn't give any  clues as to the club's intentions, saying only that they "continue to explore a range of options in relation to potential enhancement or expansion of St James' Park or the development of a new stadium."

Similarly there's no clarity on whether an enhanced training ground or a move to a new site is pending.

Loan lads:
Temps 

Magpie loan watch:

Harrison Ashby (QPR)
There was the briefest of outings for Harrison in a 0-1 Championship defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, arriving from the bench in the 89th minute.

The Baggies won through an Adam Armstrong penalty.

Alex Murphy (Bolton Wanderers)
The defender played the entirety of Saturday's 2-1 win at Burton Albion in League One on Saturday, picking up a yellow card in the process. Victory left the Trotters in the final promotion playoff place.

Max Thompson (Chesterfield)
The Spireites beat Newport County 2-1 at home in League Two on Saturday but goalkeeper Max was an unused replacement once again.

Charlie McArthur (Carlisle United)
There was no place for the defender in the squad as the Cumbrians lost 0-1 at Harrogate Town on Saturday - a result that leaves them bottom of League Two.

Joe White (MK Dons)
The midfielder played for the first 77 minutes of a 2-1 home win over Morecambe in League Two on Saturday, coming off when the scoring was complete.

James Huntley (Spennymoor Town)
It finished 1-1 at home to Peterborough Sports in the National League North on Saturday, with James a 67th minute arrival from the bench with both goals scored.

Travis Hernes (AaB):
Sunday saw the midfielder play 81 minutes of a 1-4 home loss to Midtjylland in Superliga, going off with his side trailing 1-3.

Miodrag Pivas (Willem II)
Another unused substitute selection came on Sunday, in a 2-3 home defeat by Urecht in the Eredivisie.

Vakhtang Salia (Dinamo Tblisi):
The 17 year-old forward completed the first 71 minutes of Thursday's Erovnukli Liga season-opener, a 2-1 home win over Samgurali. He was yellow-carded.

Next up is an away game against Lokomotiv Tblisi on Monday in the Erovnuki Liga.

FA Cup:
Newcastle 0 VAR 2

Newcastle  1  Brighton  2  (aet)

Match report

Premier League:
Home game tickets 

Ticket sale details for future Newcastle home games:

Wed 16.04.2025 Crystal Palace (h) 7.30pm
Member Ballot opens Mon 24.03.2025, Noon
Member Ballot closes Tue 25.03.2025, Noon
Ballot winners notified Wed 26.03.2025 by 11am
Ballot winners seat selection opens Wed 26.03.2025, Noon, closes Fri 28.03.2025, Noon
ST forwarding opens Fri 28.03.2025, 4pm
Member General Sale from Mon 31.03.2025, 10am

Sat 26.04.2025 Ipswich Town (h) 3pm
Member Ballot opens Mon 31.03.2025, Noon
Member Ballot closes Tues 01.04.2025, Noon
Ballot winners notified Wed 02.04.2025 by 11am
Ballot winners seat selection opens Wed 02.04.2025, Noon, closes Fri 04.04.2025, Noon
ST forwarding opens Fri 04.04.2025, 4pm
Member General Sale from Mon 07.04.2025, 10am

Unlikely lad:
Old boy makes 
Rams return 

Almost a year since his last appearance as a loanee for Sheffield Wednesday, former Newcastle midfielder Jeff Hendrick has signed for Derby County.

The 33 year-old Ireland international began his senior professional career at the Rams, making over 200 appearances between 2009 and 2016.

Hendrick's return to Pride Park follows the arrival of John Eustace as first team manager - the pair playing in the same Derby side between 2013 and 2015. 

Internationals:
England claim top spot 

Newcastle youngsters Sam Alabi, Michael Mills and George Mair were in a 20-strong England U16 squad that won a four team tournament in Spain this week.

The three Magpies were all in the starting line-up for Friday's opener against Colombia at the Pinatar Arena, England winning 4-0 but none of our lads netting.

Sunday saw England defeat Denmark 7-3 at Pinatar, with the Magpies trio all named on the bench. Mills definitely got some pitch time and scored once.

England then concluded their stay at Pinatar with a 1-2 loss to France on Wednesday, Mair and Mills named in the starting lineup and Alabi on the bench.

Despite that defeat, the young Lions claimed top spot in the friendly competition.

Premier League:
TV changes made 

Friday saw the Premier League announce their amended fixture schedule for April, with three of Newcastle's six games rescheduled as follows:

Wed 02.04.2025 Brentford (h) 7.45pm (no TV)
Mon 07.04.2025 Leicester City (a) 8pm Sky
Sun 13.04.2025 Manchester United (h) 4.30pm Sky
Wed 16.04.2025 Crystal Palace (h) 7.30pm (no TV)
Sat 19.04.2025 Aston Villa (a) 5.30pm Sky
Sat 26.04.2025 Ipswich Town (h) 3pm (no TV)

Appeal:
SOS: Save our Spartans

While their on-field problems remain, Northern Premier League side Blyth Spartans continue their efforts at restructuring following a recent change of ownership. 

The green and whites have now gained Community Interest Club status, and are aiming to secure their future via a fundraising appeal online here

Setting an initial £25K target, they've quickly gone past the £15K mark thanks to donations from supporters and well-wishers across the planet.

The latest club board report details the position here

ON SALE NOW