Sports
Match Preview – Newcastle United vs Norwich City: Massive game for the Magpies who still search for their first win of the season
Newcastle welcome Dean Smith’s Norwich to St James Park on Tuesday night for a bottom of the table clash.
The home side sit winless at the foot of the Premier League and need a victory to help kickstart their season. The team in Black and White have boasted a mere six points from a possible 39 in the 2021-22 season.
It’s a must-win for Howe who will be in the dugout for the first time at St James’ Park on Tuesday evening.
The visitors come into the fixture on a three game unbeaten streak and search for their second away win this campaign.
Three points separate the sides in 20th and 19th respectively, with the Magpies six points from safety.
The Canaries are the lowest scorers in the league, while Howe’s side have conceded on 29 occasions – the most by anyone so far this season.
Norwich brought in their new manager the same time as the team from St James’ Park and are unbeaten under Smith, collecting four points from his first two games in charge.
In the same period, Howe failed to win his first match in charge at home to mid-table Brentford, before a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday.
Howe was never expected to claim his first win at the Emirates and will be happy with the deep block his side implemented – getting to 0-0 at half time.
However, it was all too familiar in the second half as Arsenal eased to victory with goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Home fixtures against Norwich and Burnley this week represent prime opportunities for the Magpies to lift themselves up the table and claim some much-needed points.
But, it won’t be easy as both opponents seek a priceless victory at St James’ Park. Two six pointers in the space of a week.
Newcastle have shipped three goals in their previous three games on Tyneside and have the worst defensive record in the division.
The Yellows are certainly showing more resilience under their new manager and will be heading North in hope of claiming all three points come Tuesday Evening.
The sacking of Daniel Farke last month, caused widespread confusion around the world of football but the decision has been seemingly justified.
A 2-1 win over Southampton started Smith’s reign as the Canaries go into the game tomorrow following a 0-0 home draw with a resurgent Wolves side – four points from two games represents a decent return.
However, the visitors remain in the relegation zone and equal on points with 18th place Burnley after their clash with Spurs was postponed due to the snow on Sunday afternoon.
Credit: @NorwichCity instagram – Dean Smith has had a decent start to his reign as Norwich manager…
The most recent meeting between the two teams ended in a goalless draw at St James’ Park in February 2020 – the Canaries haven’t won on Tyneside since 1988.
The battle on Tuesday night promises to be full of entertainment if not quality and could go a long way in deciding the fate of both sides come the end of the season.
Form
NUFC – L D L D D L
Norwich City – D L L W W D
- Newcastle have slightly edged the recent head-to-head record between the two sides – winning two and drawing two of the last five meetings.
- The two sides have the worst defensive records in the Premier League conceding 29 and 27 goals respectively.
- Norwich have the worst attacking record in the league having scored the fewest goals – just seven in thirteen games so far. Five of those have come in their last four games.
Team News
Newcastle are without both Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie due to suspension which means Tuesday night is an opportunity for two out of favour defenders to come into the side and make a difference.
Jamal Lewis and Ciaran Clark are the likely replacements.
Jacob Murphy or Javi Manquillo challenge the position of Emil Krafth on the right, as the home side are expected to revert to a back four. Federico Fernandez may be back in contention since the 2-1 away defeat at Wolves last month.
Howe may turn to the hard-working Isaac Hayden and Miguel Almiron to provide some fresh legs and energy in the midfield. Jonjo Shelvey has played well in the two games under the new manager and is likely to be the creator in midfield once again.
In desperate need of a win, Eddie Howe will be looking towards his defence for a decent display to give the attackers an opportunity to be on the front-foot and score the goals required to get their first win.
Meanwhile, Paul Dummett (calf) and Dwight Gayle (hamstring) are still unavailable.
The visitors were dealt a major injury blow last time out as midfielder Mathias Normann left the pitch with a suspected recurrence of a pelvic problem. Lukas Rupp may earn a start on Tuesday evening.
Sam Byram and Christoph Zimmerman are expected to remain out of the starting eleven for Norwich as Smith will be reluctant to make too many changes in the hope that his side continue their decent form.
Expected line-ups:
NUFC: Norwich City:
Potential NUFC line-up to face Norwich…
Potential Norwich team to face NUFC on Tuesday…
Pre-match thoughts? Will Howe revert to a back four? Can Newcastle get their first win of the season? Who makes your starting eleven?
Join in the conversation and have your say…
Euro 2022 top goal scorer Beth Mead is not included in England Women’s World Cup squad.
The 27-year-old Arsenal forward has not played since November having been a major doubt for the competition.
This comes after an anterior cruciate ligament injury which she still has not fully recovered from.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman has named the 23-player squad for this summer’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Tottenham striker Beth England, who has not been involved since last summer’s Euro competition is included.
Chelsea centre-back Millie Bright, who has been out with a knee injury since March, has made the 23-player squad.
Sarina Wiegman confirmed Bright would captain the team in the absence of injured defender Leah Williamson.
Wiegman went on to say she never thought Beth Mead would be fit in time for the tournament, saying: “She’s so positive and going well, but the timescale she had we would have taken so many risks to get to the World Cup
“I’m not willing to take that risk to push her too much and she gets injured again. We need to take care of players.”
England play Haiti in their opening match on 22nd July in Australia where they look to build on their success following Euro 2022.
After a successful loan spell to Hull City, Karl Darlow is poised for a permanent move away from St. James’.
Hull City manager Liam Rosenior has made it clear he wants to keep a hold of Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Signing for the club in 2014 from Nottingham Forest, he went onto make 100 appearances for the magpies with his debut coming in 2015 under Steve McLaren. His best stint for the club was during the 2020/21 season making 25 appearances. He then saw himself fall out of favour when Martin Dubravka signed for the club and now with Nick Pope cementing the position as his own, Darlow saw himself drop down the pecking order.
Signing for Hull City on loan in January, he has since made 11 appearances keeping 5 clean sheets in the process, with three coming in the last four matches against good opposition in Millwall, Blackburn, and Watford.
“He’s been magnificent since he’s come in,” Rosenior said after Darlow’s clean sheet against Watford on Saturday. “I think he’s massively enjoying working here, I think he’s enjoying the club, he’s settled in with the players really really well.
“What I really like about Karl was as soon as he signed he had his young family come and join him and settle down in the area, and I think that’s helped him. Hopefully we’ll have discussions in the summer about his long-term future.”
Rosenior revealed earlier in the week his intention to keep Darlow at the club, and Hull are believed to be in discussions with Newcastle over making the goalkeeper’s stay at the MKM Stadium permanent – as his loan agreement is believed to have as an option.
Contracted at St. James’ until 2025, it seems as though a permanent move to Hull City would be the best thing for Darlow with his position at Newcastle United seemingly gone.
Where do you think Karl Darlow will be next season – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates
With the season drawing to a close, we have put together our Premier League Team of the Season.
In what has been a season that is set to go right down to the very end, it has been yet another spectacular campaign of football with players breaking out on to the scene and some very memorable moments.
Lets have a look at who we have decided is in the starting 11 for the Team of the Season.
The starting 11 was chosen in terms of not only who we think has been the best in those positions, but also who has either exceeded expectations but also who has done exactly what was expected of them in their position.
Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman mean Newcastle United make up 60% of the defence in this team, but for good reason. This season, the magpies are currently bosting the best defence in the league conceding the least amount of goals, 24 to be precise.
William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko make up the remaining two spots in the defence, the Arsenal duo have had a great campaign with the gunners still sat top of the league and looking to get their first league title in nearly 20 years.
A midfield three of Casemiro, Keving De Bruyne, and Martin Odegaard, three players so vital to their clubs and all having a wonderful season, it’s hard to put anyone else in there over them.
Up top, we have a front three of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Erling Haaland as all three players have had goals, influence, and star power in their clubs to push them to the very top this season.
The substitutes include top of the league goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, which seems harsh to leave him out of the starting squad but up against Nick Pope, either could go in and it would be a good decision, but Ramsdale just makes it onto our bench.
Ben Mee has had a cracking season with Brentford seeing them looking set to enjoy a top half finish with him at the heart of defence. Luke Shaw gets on the bench after a solid season under Ten Hag at United.
Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel Martinelli, and Harry Kane are the remaining players on the bench, all have had a fantastic season but unfortunately only make the bench for this squad.
Roberto De Zerbi is the manager of the season for us, having joined Brighton in September following Graham Potter’s departure, many thought this spelt the end of Brighton’s good fortunes in the Premier League, but not only did De Zerbi do better than expected of him, he has taken a very good Brighton and Hove Albion team and improved them navigating them to a top half finish.
Manchester City only see two players in this team, although they have had a great season, the rotation of the team sees a great team instead of individual players, which is a testament to how Pep Guardiola wants his teams to be.
Premier League 22/23 Team of the Season:
Nick Pope (GK), Kieran Trippier, William Saliba, Sven Botman, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Casemiro, Kevin De Bruyne, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Erling Haaland.
Subs:
Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Ben Mee, Luke Shaw, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexis Mac Allister, Gabriel Martinelli, Harry Kane
Manager: Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton)
Who would you put in your Premier League Team of the Season – Let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates
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