Newcastle United part owner Amanda Staveley invited members of the local press into the club's chairman suite for the victory against Brighton. Elsewhere, Kieran Trippier has spoken about his conversation with Mehrdad Ghodoussi ahead of signing for the Magpies in January.
Here are your Newcastle United headlines for March 7:
Staveley and Ghodoussi's move
Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi work the room in Newcastle United's plush chairman's suite before, during and after the narrow but vital victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. They are proud co-owners who are at the start of a busy weekend of work and are approaching the end of their first six months as part of the consortium that celebrated the purchase of United last autumn.
As guests take their seats in the premier suite of St James' Park's executive level, at first glance for onlookers there is nothing unusual about the proceedings at a Premier League club. However, on closer examination, the same onlookers find that the Ripon financier and her husband and fellow director Mehrdad are trying to do something different.
On Saturday, Staveley did something very different to the average top-flight director and invited members of the local Press into the chairman's suite as the Chronicle, Shields Gazette and Radio Newcastle were invited to the top table. This wasn't for a Press conference or Q and A style interview, something that is expected to follow once Newcastle are safe from the drop.
Trippier on 'money' claim
Kieran Trippier admits Mehrdad Ghodoussi did not need to 'sell' the opportunity to sign for Newcastle United. The former Tottenham defender became the first signing of the new era when he sealed a January switch from Atletico Madrid.
Trippier was one of five recruits to arrive at St James' Park, and the England international was accused of chasing the money by swapping life with the La Liga winners for a Premier League relegation battle. The right-back made an immediate impact in black-and-white and scored successive free-kicks in Everton and Aston Villa, but is currently sidelined after suffering a foot injury.
Trippier insists a desire to return to the north of England and family were the main reasons behind his decision to sign for Newcastle, and claims part-owner Ghodoussi did not need to 'sell' the 'project' on Tyneside.
Howe's selection dilemma
Eddie Howe will consider changes to his team ahead of the Southampton game. He has resisted changing an unbeaten side in recent weeks but this could be the perfect time to start Bruno Guimaraes as he's not only fresher than some players but also brings a different dimension to the side.
Howe revealed on Saturday that Ryan Fraser picked up a knock and will be assessed while there are others with niggles after he 2-1 triumph over the Seagulls. Is it time for some squad rotation?
Allan Saint-Maximin is another who could be deemed a starter against the Saints after two weeks in France and just a cameo against Brighton at the weekend. But Howe is the boss, he will pick the team he sees fit for St Mary's and whoever is picked will be in there for a good reason as opposed to keeping people happy.
Saint-Maximin's reaction
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he has no qualms about Allan Saint-Maximin's response to being benched against Brighton on Saturday. The winger played 26 minutes of the 2-1 win over Albion after missing a fortnight of action due to a trip to France for treatment.
Saint-Maximin could not mark the occasion with a goal but his return lifted fans and gave Newcastle the chance for him to reduce pressure when running with the ball. It now remains to be seen whether Saint-Maximin returns to the starting line-up on Thursday night at Southampton.
Hayden's Shelvey praise
Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has described team-mate Jonjo Shelvey as a "Rolls Royce of a player" after his performance against Brighton. The Magpies were victorious on Saturday afternoon thanks to goals from Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar before Lewis Dunk grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors shortly after half-time.
Despite the three points being taken by the hosts, it was in fact Brighton who dominated throughout the afternoon with the ball and had the best chances to score. Among those to produce a below-par performance was skipper Shelvey who issued a statement to supporters via a post shared by the club's Twitter account.
Burn's England credentials
There has since been calls for the 6ft7in centre-back to receive an England call-up by Gareth Southgate for the upcoming March internationals. The Three Lions host Switzerland and Ivory Coast at Wembley in preparation for the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Southgate is expected to name his squad for those two matches in due course and there could be some changes from November's 23-man contingent. Five months have passed since the Three Lions played Albania and San Marino, with some players in better form than others at the moment.
Havertz warning
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has sent a warning to Newcastle United and their Premier League rivals over the form of the almost undroppable Kai Havertz. Eddie Howe takes his Magpies to Stamford Bridge on Sunday for what will be the second of four tough away games for the Magpies.
Both sides have midweek games first - United take on Southampton at St Mary's while Chelsea travel to Carrow Road to face Norwich City - but the Blues have refound their top form. Saturday's 4-0 demolition of Burnley saw Havertz score twice in four minutes and, with Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku pressing for starting places, Tuchel knows he has a wealth of options at his disposal when United come to town.
Werner and Lukaku started in the midweek FA Cup win over Luton, but it is Havertz who has been getting the nod in Chelsea's biggest games of late, starting in the Champions League win over Lille and the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. The German also scored the decisive penalty in the Club World Cup final victory over Palmeiras. While Lukaku's form continues to come under scrutiny at Stamford Bridge, Havertz is making it difficult for the Belgian to get back into the side.
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