Here are the latest Newcastle United headlines for Saturday, May 20, 2023.
One more point
Newcastle United need just a point to qualify for the Champions League after Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa. The Reds would need to see Newcastle lose both of their last two matches and land major goal difference boost away to Southampton in their final game to overtake them.
Villa went in ahead at the break thanks to a goal from Jacob Ramsey, but after Cody Gakpo had an effort ruled out for offside, Roberto Firmino levelled in the 90th minute. Liverpool piled on the pressure in 10 minutes of added time, but Villa held out.
Newcastle are still locked level on 69 points with Manchester United after the Red Devils won at Bournemouth but the Magpies have a better goal difference. A draw or a win against Leicester at St James' Park would avoid the race going to the final day.
Challenge gets tougher
Eddie Howe accepts that next season the bar will rise significantly for Newcastle United after their superb season.
The Magpies hope to seal third place in the Premier League and can finish no lower than fifth, their best position since 2012 under Alan Pardew. However, Howe knows that with such success comes increased expectations in the football world.
As Newcastle wait on the result of Liverpool's result at home to Aston Villa, which could even seal Champions League football for United, Howe said: "The expectation is the challenge. That is raised and then that becomes normal.
"What you achieve then, so if you finish fourth, fifth or sixth, anything below that is viewed as a failure. That is a very difficult one because the challenge of the Premier League is so tough.
"So we have challenges ahead next year. But that's for next year, it's not for me in this position right now."
Cole's Isak praise
Newcastle United great Andy Cole has delivered his verdict on £63million star Alexander Isak - but wants to see more of the Sweden star and Callum Wilson paired together.
Isak has been pushed out wide in a front three due to Eddie Howe's successful 4-3-3 system this season. Yet Cole feels the partnership will develop into something even more prolific in time.
Cole has an incredible partnership with Peter Beardsley between 1993 to 1995 before being sold to Manchester United. Speaking to William Hill Cole has analysed the current attacking duo on Tyneside.
Cole said: “I think Alexander Isak’s arrival at Newcastle has definitely spurred Callum Wilson on. "He would have thought he was the number one at the club, but Isak has come in and I think he’s been absolutely unbelievable.
“I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve seen [of Isak] and I expect him to be a big, big player for Newcastle for many years. He can get on the ball, he can run at people and scores goals, so I think he’s got everything to be very successful in the Premier League."
