Newcastle United are in the top four of the Premier League at this stage of the season for the first time in over 10 years following Sunday's win at Tottenham. The 2-1 victory moved the Magpies above Chelsea and Manchester United to occupy a place among the coveted Champions League spots.
Newcastle sat fourth in the top flight after 12 games back in 2011 before finishing the season in fifth under Alan Pardew. This time around, there is already talk that Eddie Howe's side could emulate that feat in just a few months.
While Howe himself is playing down talk of a European finish, one defeat in 12 games makes Newcastle one of the most in-form teams in the division. The north east outfit are snatching points from the usual big six and proving they can match almost any side this season.
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The 2-1 win at the weekend, draws with Manchester City and Manchester United, and a last-gasp defeat at Liverpool shows how far Howe's side have come in a short period of time. Jamie Carragher picked up on this point during commentary for Sky Sports on Sunday, praising Newcastle's ability to mix it with the best.
"This Newcastle aren’t an easy touch, they’re really not," Carragher said. "The performances at Anfield and Old Trafford, they got a point out of those two games but they deserved a lot more. This was always going to be a tough game for Spurs."
Less than a few hours after Carragher made the comment, Howe was on the airwaves playing down his side's chance of upsetting the Premier League apple cart as early as this season. The former Bournemouth boss admits he is taking each game as it comes, with his feet firmly planted on the ground.
"I think it’s important for the players to enjoy the moment," he told Sky Sports. "I talk to the players a lot about when you’re win and do a good job, live in it as long as you can.
"For me, it’s a little bit different, I’m already thinking about next week. That’s how I’m built and I’ve got to build the group as best as I can."
Newcastle welcome Aston Villa to St James' Park next Saturday knowing a win could see them leapfrog Tottenham into third-place.
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