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Browsing: Newcastle
Newcastle United have agreed a move for a hugely promising teenager, as manager Eddie Howe adds exciting talent to his squad.
The Magpies infamously lost Alexander Isak over the summer but managed to improve the depth available, bringing in the likes of Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale, Jacob Ramsey and two strikers in the form of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
With Howe looking to compete on four fronts this season, there is clearly a focus on raising the floor of the Toon squad – and now the club have agreed a deal for another wonderkid.
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Newcastle have sealed move for teen sensation in huge statement
Newcastle have focused on younger players in the last few years (Image credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Yankuba Minteh was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion and Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest, as the Magpies looked to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), with Eddie Howe even admitting his regret in having to let the latter leave.
Elliot Anderson was regrettably sold (Image credit: Getty Images)
According to Keith Downie of Sky Sports, Newcastle have now agreed to pay £350,000 for Josh Kenchington of Barnsley in a massive statement for the club.
At just 15 years old, 2010-born Kenchington is a two-footed centre-back who already stands at over 6ft tall, and having come through at Oakwell, there are obvious comparisons with John Stones.
Downie claims in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Newcastle beat the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of the wonderkid, who will move to the northeast and complete his education in Newcastle upon completion of the transfer.
FourFourTwo understands that Kenchington is not in immediate contention for a first-team position, with the club looking to develop him before pushing him into senior football.
Newcastle have agreed to pay £350,000 plus significant bonuses for wonder-kid Josh Kenchington. #NUFC second bid to Barnsley was accepted, after a £275,000 first offer was turned down. Compared to John Stones, Kenchington was playing under 18 football aged just 14.… pic.twitter.com/uQqro1mDMHOctober 17, 2025
The teenager has already played in age groups above his own, however, and represented England’s youth sides.
Newcastle travel to Brighton this afternoon as Premier League action returns.
That is not meant as a slight on the community Shelvey has left behind.
Though Shelvey has uprooted from the UK, the 33-year-old said the north east was “the only place there he would want to live”.
“There’s this debate about whether Newcastle are able to attract the big players compared to the Manchester clubs and the London clubs but, until you go there, you don’t understand what it does to you,” he said.
“There are loads of things to do. I don’t care what anyone says. If players are going to listen to this, it’s a no-brainer to go there and play football.
“You will not find love at a football club like I found at Newcastle, with how they take to their players and how much they back you.”
Shelvey spent longer at Newcastle than any other side – seven years in total following his move from Swansea City – and said he was “honoured” to have represented the club and worn the captain’s armband on occasion.
As well as sticking around following relegation, in 2016, and playing his part in taking Newcastle straight back up, Shelvey also helped ensure the club then stayed in the top flight.
He even scored what proved to be a “massive” goal against Leeds United as Newcastle started to pull away from danger three and a half years ago.
It ended up proving a turning point in head coach Eddie Howe’s reign.
“If I had not scored that, the club would have gone down!” he said. “I’m joking. Looking back at it, you don’t realise how big a goal it was and, to be fair, the keeper [Illan Meslier] chucked one in for us. I scuffed the life out of it.
“But I’ve only got good things to say about my time at Newcastle. I loved it. Even when I first got the call about going there, I drove 12 hours from Swansea because of the traffic. I just wanted to get up there, get my medical done and get signed.
“I had experienced playing against Newcastle at St James’ Park and you get a real buzz, but you never understand how big the club is until you are there.”
Tino Livramento was stretchered off the field at St James’ Park on Sunday, as his side went on to lose 2-1.
Livramento has been an important signing for Newcastle since his £40m arrival from Southampton in 2023, and has been an ever present at left-back so far this season.
The highly-rated defender landed awkwardly in the second half against the Gunners, and was not part of the travelling squad for the midweek trip to Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League a few days later.
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Will Tino Livramento be available this weekend?
Livramento has been a stand-out player for Newcastle so far this season (Image credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Since moving to Tyneside, however, he’s been a consistent performer and until last Sunday had played more minutes than any other Newcastle player this campaign.
There was concern for the defender as he left the field on a stretcher (Image credit: Getty Images)
There was initial concern as the full-back was carried off the pitch that he could be out for several months, but the prognosis since appears to be more positive.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Magpies manager Eddie Howe said “We think he will be out for around six to eight weeks, that is probably positive from where we were after the game”.
“We were thinking it might be months not weeks. So we are maybe looking at not this international break, but the next one (November) he could probably be back”. He continued.
Livramento will certainly miss the clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend, but could be in line to feature against Manchester City on November 22nd.
Newcastle United’s 22-year wait for an away victory in the Champions League came to an abrupt end at Lotto Park in Brussels.
The Magpies demonstrated their Premier League quality against Belgian champions Union SG, putting four past the Champions League debutants without reply.
Anthony Gordon’s rhythm on the pitch has been interrupted of late, but the flaxen-haired Merseysider held his nerve to score twice from the penalty spot in Belgium.
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Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon believes they ‘can beat anyone’
Anthony Gordon scores from the spot for Newcastle (Image credit: Getty Images)
Gordon admits he has had a stop-start season so far, after getting sent off against Liverpool in August. But he has now scored three Champions League goals, and is feeling good.
“It was about as good as we could have hoped for given the heartbreak against Arsenal, losing the ways we’ve lost,” he said in the mixed zone at full-time.
Newcastle United’s English midfielder #10 Anthony Gordon celebrates scoring his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League, league phase – Matchday 2 football match between Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle United FC at the RSC Anderlecht Stadium in Brussels on October 1, 2025. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Image credit: Getty Images)
“I think we’ve lacked a bit of spark, a bit of creativity, a lack of good football.
“We’ve been defensively very organised and structured but we’ve lacked that final third bit so it was good to get that today.
“We put extra emphasis on good football and the combination play because we haven’t had it. We’ve been a bit boring, in all honesty. We had extra emphasis on that today and I think it showed.”
But the England winger isn’t putting any limitations on what Newcastle can achieve this season.
Anthony Gordon celebrates his goal in the Champions League (Image credit: Getty Images)
“We can be anything we want to be this season. We can beat anyone in any game. I never go into a game thinking we’re going to lose.
“As long as we can keep that defensive structure, that creativity, we can beat anyone. You see that in the Liverpool game, for the first 30 minutes before I got sent off we dominated them and they’re the champions of England.”
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Some pre-match reading. Courtesy of Louise Taylor in Brussels.
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Newcastle make two changes to the starting XI sent out to face Arsenal in the 2-1 Premier League defeat at St James†Park last Sunday. Kieran Trippier and Anthony Elanga replace Tino Livramento and Jacob Murphy. The latter drops to the bench, but Livramento could be out for six to eight weeks after suffering a knee injury against the Gunners.
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The teams
Union Saint-Gilloise: Scherpen, Mac Allister, Burgess, Leysen, Khalaili, Zorgane, Van De Perre, Niang, Ait El Hadj, Rodriguez, David.
Subs: Chambaere, Berradi, Patris, Sykes, Boufal, Giger, Schoofs, Smith, Rasmussen, Barry.
Newcastle United: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.
Subs: Thompson, Ramsdale, Hall, Schar, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Jacob Murphy, Willock, Alex Murphy, Miley.
Referee: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland).
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Preamble
Union Saint-Gilloise have only hosted English opposition once before.And if youâ€re a Newcastle fan relying on historical precedent to do you a favour this evening, youâ€re out of luck: USG beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Europa League groups in December 2023. To be fair to Jurgen Kloppâ€s side, it was a dead rubber in which they fielded several of the kids, but a winâ€s a win. So there is that to contend with.
But how much should that history, tangential at best, weigh on Eddie Howe and his teamâ€s mind? Not much, youâ€d have to say, especially as the Toon are unbeaten in eight matches against Belgian teams, winning seven and drawing the other. Theyâ€ll be more concerned about their own patchy form in the Premier League so far this season, and the fact USG impressively swatted aside PSV 3-1 in Eindhoven a couple of weeks ago, and that the Belgians – reigning champions in their homeland for the first time since 1935 – are unbeaten in seven group-stage matches in Uefa competition. Newcastle by contrast have lost four and drawn one of their last five Champions League games. Can they rediscover their mojo tonight in Brussels? We begin to find out at 5.45pm UK time. Itâ€s on!
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What is it about this side and set-plays?
For context, since the start of the 2023-24 season, Arsenal have scored 36 goals from corners in the Premier League – 15 more than any other side in this period.
Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces ultimately turned this game on its head.
From the first, in the 84th minute, Arsenal took a short corner before Declan Rice swung the ball into the box.
Merino got there in front of Sven Botman to glance the ball in off the post.
And the decision to go short certainly did not go unnoticed by Match of the Day pundit Joe Hart.
“Rice was willing to do something off the cuff [for the goal],” the former Manchester City goalkeeper told BBC Sport. “That is someone who is not bothered about the problems Arsenal had faced, that was someone looking for a solution and, at that moment in time, that was the solution.
“When he needs to make the last-ditch tackles, that’s what he does and when he needs to do something special, like that kind of blind round the corner ball on to Merino’s head, that was a special bit of play that his team needed.”
Merino previously spent a season at Newcastle, but there was no chance of the Spaniard reining in his celebration as he punched the air.
But it was instructive that each Arsenal player raced back to their own half so the game could get back under way.
They sensed there was another twist to come – and it arrived in the 96th minute.
After going short for their equaliser, Arsenal went direct and another substitute, Martin Odegaard, set up Gabriel, who headed home at the near post.
The away end up in the gods could scarcely believe it – even though this side are making a habit of scoring late goals.
“That shows a lot and not only set-pieces strategy but also mentality,” Merino told Match of the Day. “Other teams, if they get six or seven corners and they don’t score, they start to lose belief in the qualities.
“But, for us, it’s a matter of keep doing what we do, doing it at the highest level and, in the end, the last one, the last second, we scored and I’m really happy.”
It is very early days, of course, but this felt like a timely test of Arsenal’s credentials as title challengers that the Gunners found a way to pass.
After watching champions Liverpool slip up against Crystal Palace on Saturday, Arteta’s team ultimately took advantage.
Rather than remaining five points behind, Arsenal have instead closed the gap.
“The character they showed today was as impressive as the result,” England women’s record scorer Ellen White told BBC Sport. “St James’ Park has been such a hard place for them to go, and they have had some difficult games there recently with maybe some things not quite going their way.
“We saw that again at the beginning of this game as well, so to show that grit, determination and togetherness and have the character to come through such a physical game – there were some big hits going in, with a lot of big tackles and relentless running as well – was so impressive.”
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2 min“Ødegaardâ€s absence from the starting XI is beginning to look a little ominous,†says Charles Antaki. “Heâ€s not the kind of player who regains form by running harder, jumping higher or tackling more robustly; his kind of talent comes, you wouldâ€ve thought, from some inner genius which is either very much on or, if not, very much not. May he come on, do some bamboozling, set up two goals and score a third. Thatâ€ll help.â€
Itâ€s been a while, hasnâ€t it, since he was at his best for a long period. If he rediscovers the form of 2023-24, Arsenal will win the league. FACT.
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1 minPeep peep! Arsenal kick off form left to right as we watch. Newcastle have started in a 4-3-3 formation.
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Eddie Howeâ€s pre-match thoughts
[On the rivalry with Arsenal] Theyâ€ve been really tight games. I think there are two teams who show a great will to win, pride themselves on detail and tactical plans, so I think theyâ€ve been intriguing games.
[On Newcastleâ€s shape and flexibility] There are a few different ways we can play – we can change our shape in-running if we need to. You donâ€t do it to keep people guessing, thatâ€s irrelevant; itâ€s how we perform on the pitch. Weâ€ve made a few changes but I do think itâ€s a strong team and weâ€re looking forward to seeing them gel together.
[In that case, would you like to tell us whether itâ€s a back three or back four?] Youâ€ll find out in no time!
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Mikel Artetaâ€s pre-match thoughts
[On Eberechi Ezeâ€s inclusion] Weâ€re very happy with what heâ€s doing so heâ€s earned the right to start the game.
[On Cristhian Mosqueraâ€s inclusion] Willy [Saliba] is coming back from an ankle injury that he is still trying to resolve. Heâ€s played twice in six days and we have another two games coming up this week so we have to managed the squad.
[On Martin Odegaard, who is on the bench] Heâ€s very keen. Heâ€s trained the last two days and heâ€s desperate to get on the pitch.
These stadiums and these moments make you a team. The scars, the difficulties and challenges you face, in the end they make you a better team. Hopefully weâ€ll show that today.
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To three or not to three
I thought Newcastle were playing 4-3-3 but Sky have their formation as 3-4-2-1 with Jacob Murphy at right wing-back. That system was very effective against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final last season.
Newcastle (3-4-2-1)Pope; Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Murphy, Bruno, Tonali, Livramento; Gordon, Joelinton; Woltemade.
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This is how the Premier League table looks after that Villa result.
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Premier League result: Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham
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The Newcastle view
“Things were looking promising,†writes Chris Paraskevas. “We had just won a trophy. The wild magpies that Iâ€ve adopted as pets (nickamed Big ‘Al and Eddie) were literally eating out of my hand. Newcastle had a recognised striker.
“Then the other bloke left. And of the two replacement strikers we purchased, one is crocked and the other one isnâ€t really a striker, apparently.
“And now the magpies think Iâ€m some sort of threat owing to a recent misunderstanding with the dog (see: Bournemouth MBM). I checked the backyard today and they were circling, ready to swoop.
“So if Mikel Arteta thinks he has problems then Iâ€d like to see him survive an Australian spring with a nest of pi$$ed-off, pumped-up, swoop-ready magpies nearby.â€
The Newcastle front six today looks really strong to admittedly dead eyes, so I wouldnâ€t be too worried about them despite the frustrations of PSR and the Swedish striker.
Iâ€m less confident your magpie dispute will have a happy ending. Those buggers canâ€t be reasoned with.
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‘I would love itâ€, etc.
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Read Jonathan Wilson on Newcastle
Note to trolls, keyboard warriors and Messrs Angry: I did not write this piece, nor have I read it.
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Newcastle team news
Eddie Howe also makes three changes from the last league game, a goalless draw at Bournemouth in Newcastleâ€s case. Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon – who all played against Bradford in the Carabao Cup in midweek – start ahead of the Lewises, Hall and Miley, and Joe Willock.
Newcastle (4-3-3)Pope; Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
Substitutes: Ramsdale, Trippier, Lascelles, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Elanga, Willock, Miley.
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Arsenal team news
The handbrake is off! Ish. Eberechi Eze replaces Mikel Merino in the Arsenal midfield, one of three changes from the notorious Emirates XI that started against Manchester City. Bukayo Saka starts in place cof the injured Noni Madueke. The other change is at the back, where Cristhian Mosquera replaces William Saliba. Youâ€d imagine thatâ€s injury-related, though Saliba is on the bench.
Arsenal (4-3-3)Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, White, Odegaard, Norgaard, Merino, Martinelli, Dowman.
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to Handbrake Watch, a new series in which the Guardianâ€s finest minds we assess and judge Mikel Artetaâ€s tactical approach. Arteta, whose Arsenal side visit Newcastle today, was heavily criticised for picking a cautious XI against Manchester City last week. He added more grist to the news cycle by rejecting those criticisms, so there will be plenty of scrutiny on his XI today. Maybe even the football itself?!?!?!
Yesterdayâ€s results have taken some of the focus away from Arteta and Arsenal – partly because other managers are back in the doghouse, mainly because Crystal Palace, lovely, life-affirming Crystal Palace, beat Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Arsenal will jump from seventh to to second, two points behind Liverpool, if they win today.
Not that itâ€ll be easy. Theyâ€ve lost their last three games at St James†Park without scoring, and few things invigorate the Newcastle crowd quite like a visit from Arsenal. Newcastleâ€s need for a win is just as great. They are 15th after a largely quiet start to the season – on the field, if not off it.
If recent games between Newcastle and Arsenal are a guide, this wonâ€t be high-scoring. But itâ€ll be eventful, probably a bit spiteful, and thereâ€s a chance one of the managers will be spewing come 7pm.
Kick off4.30pm.
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Updated at 10.55 EDT
Watch Newcastle vs Arsenal for the Premier League’s main event on Sunday, with all the details here on live streams and TV coverage around the world.
Newcastle vs Arsenal key information
• Date:Sunday 28 September
• Kick-off time:4:30pm BST / 11:30am ET
• Venue:St James’ Park, Newcastle
• TV & Streaming: Sky Sports (UK), USA Network (US), Stan Sport (Australia)
• Watch from anywhere:Try NordVPN risk-free
This one could be a cracker, with both sides desperate for the three points and the Magpies usually prove to be Arsenal’s Achilles heel.
Newcastle United progressed to round four of the Carabao Cup with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Bradford City in midweek.
The Magpies will hope that victory can carry them through against Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s side the next team in town.
Arsenal were made to work in their own cup affair against Port Vale just a few days ago, with Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard both netting.
This clash usually produces fireworks so read on for all the details on how to watch Arsenal vs Newcastle online, on TV and from anywhere.
Watch Newcastle vs Arsenal in the UK
Newcastle vs Arsenal kicks off at 4:30 pm (BST) and the game will be shown live in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports.
Watch Newcastle vs Arsenal in the US
In the US, USA Network has exclusive rights for Newcastle vs Arsenal.
USA Network is a cable TV channel that doesn’t have its own streaming service so you’ll need a cord-cutter, such as SlingorFubo, in order to watch online.
How to watch Newcastle vs Arsenal in Australia
Premier League fans in Australia can watch Newcastle vs Arsenal through Stan Sport.
Can I watch Newcastle vs Arsenal for free?
Watch Newcastle vs Arsenal from anywhere
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Our brainy colleagues across the office at Tom’s Guide review all VPN providers, and NordVPN comes out as the best VPN in the world.
See also► Premier League TV guide
Newcastle vs Arsenal: Premier League preview
Newcastle boast an impressive return against Arsenal in recent years, and in fact, their last home loss against the Gunners came back in May 2023.
In fact, Arsenal have been beaten in each of their last three trips to Newcastle’s turf, and four overall since Arteta took over in North London.
In all competitions, Arteta’s side have only lost more away games against Man City (five) during his now six-year reign at the club.
Summer signing Noni Madueke is expected to miss two months with a knee injury. The England international joins Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines at present.
The Magpies are also dealing with their own wholesale injury issues, with Jacob Murphy the latest name to add to that list.
Fabian Schar (head), Yoane Wissa (knee) and Jacob Ramsey (ankle) are also set to miss out for the hosts this weekend.
Sven Botman looks to be fit to play, with Howe set to choose between Will Osula and Nick Woltemade in attack.
See also► These are the cheapest ways to watch the Premier League this season
Newcastle vs Arsenal: Expected line-ups
FourFourTwo’s prediction
Newcastle 2-1 Arsenal
Arsenal never tend to play well against the Magpies, and with the atmosphere set to be ramped up to ten once more, we can’t see Arteta’s talented side picking up any points this weekend, despite their recent strong showings.
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Liverpool v Manchester United WSL team news
Liverpool: Borggrafe, Fisk, Bonner, Evans, Woodham, Nagano, Holland, Kerr, MacLean, Kapocs, Haug.
Subs: Kirby, Parry, Shimizu, Szymczak, Olsson, Enderby, Lundgaard, Clark, Silcock.
Manchester United: Tullis-Joyce, Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Rolfo, Zigiotti Olme, Miyazawa, Toone, Malard, Terland, Park.
Subs: Middleton-Patel, George, Ildhusoy, Naalsund, Williams.
Dominique Janssen, Ella Toone and Gabby George of Manchester United survey the pitch before kickoff. Photograph: Matt McNulty/Getty ImagesShare
Hi everyone, Dominic here.
Right with a number of WSL games kicking off at midday, letâ€s run you through the team news …
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The Scottish Premiership is six games in and the leaders hail from outside Glasgow. Derek McInnes†Hearts are two points clear at the top after Saturdayâ€s 3-0 win over Falkirk, coupled with Celticâ€s home stalemate against Hibernian.
Although Hearts minority investor Tony Bloom has backed the club to challenge Scotlandâ€s duopoly, McInnes is taking a more measured view. “I want us to try and stay up at the top end of the table for as long as we can,†the Hearts manager said. Nobody else, I donâ€t think, genuinely believes we can mount a challenge.â€
Rangers, meanwhile, are winless and 11th in the table with Russell Martin clinging to his job. He takes his side to Livingston today (3pm BST), where only a win will do.
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And with that, my watch is over.Dominic Booth will be here shortly to coax you through our early tranche of WSL matches – Liverpool v Man United is the standout, but thereâ€s loads to get us going – but Iâ€m off to get into the right frame of mind for Villa v Fulham. So until then, peace out.
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Not a from a dead ball, but this might be my favourite-ever cross. Beckham barely touches the ball, and yet…
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Relatedly, I love the way Declan Rice has improved his crossing in recent years. Of course it requires natural ability to do what he does, but also, itâ€s a skill that is very easily practised, and Iâ€m not sure why so many excellent players are so poor at it.
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Iâ€m sure, though, that weâ€ll see some variations on it this afternoon, when Newcastle visit Arsenal. Both sides have plenty of big men and players able to find them with dead-ball delivery; reffing that wonâ€t be easy, at all. Iâ€d not be surprised if we see a penalty given for holding or similar.
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I would, though, also like to see the near-post corner return.When hit flat and flicked on, itâ€s almost impossible to defend, but sadly Iâ€m currently struggling to find a Limpar-Bould combination to illustrate the point.
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Amorimâ€s United have become an extremely direct outfit – and itâ€s not just them. Weâ€re seeing a return to big men up front, long balls, good corners and long throws which, to me at least, makes perfect sense – actually, Iâ€m not sure why these things ever left, because they never stopped working.
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Ah, I neglected to post Barney Ronayâ€s United piece from yesterday. If Iâ€m guessing, Iâ€m guessing it wonâ€t be long.
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The last time Hearts and Celtic contested the title:
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The last time the Scottish league was won by a non-Old Firm side was in 1984-85 when Alex Ferguson was managing Aberdeen; the last time Hearts won it was 1959-60. They currently lead Celtic by two points, and maybe, just maybe, they can bring it home again.
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In Villaâ€s defence,theyâ€ve been without Andre Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley, all of whom should be back soon; if things are still poor in a few weeks, thereâ€ll be pressure, but for now, we can assume they wonâ€t be.
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Our first match today is Aston Villa v Fulham.How do we feel about that one? Have the home side turned the corner, or are we ignoring a dicey home win against the 11th-best side in Italy. Theyâ€ve still got plenty of good players, of course, but with Ollie Watkins out of form, theyâ€re struggling to threaten never mind score.
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What I would say on McT is that how well heâ€s doing in Italy doesnâ€t mean United were wrong to sell him.InSerie A, his physicality is a bigger advantage than in the Prem, and at Napoli heâ€s not competing for a starting slot with Bruno Fernandes, who plays in the same position, The move suited both parties.
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But the undoubted game of the day comes in Italy, where Scott McTominay faces Milan.
Obviously thatâ€s a hilarious joke, but what a move it was for him to join Napoli. Thereâ€s the football, of course – and in Antonio Conte, he has the perfect manager to platform his strengths and hide his weaknesses – but also culturally. By all accounts heâ€s absolutely loving his new life, and there might not be a better place on the planet to be revered. I couldnâ€t be happier for a very nice boy.
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In the meantime, though, Barcelona can make hay.Theyâ€re the best attacking side in the world by a mile – I donâ€t think anyone can argue with that, though this is football weâ€re talking about so you can never be sure – and thatâ€s enough to win almost every week. If they see off Soceidad later today, they go above Madrid at the top of the table.
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Julian Alvarez, man, what a player – and what a perfect fit for Atletico.On the other hand, I wonder how long itâ€ll take Xabi Alonso to get Real where they want to be. I wouldnâ€t necessarily call him a systems manager, but he is a proper coach, who needs buy-in and time to inculcate his ideas and principles – not easy when youâ€ve a squad full of superstars and a famously impatient boardroom.
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Updated at 04.50 EDT
I mentioned earlier that weâ€ve some European fun this afternoon, but before we properly look forward to that,letâ€s look back at last night.
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On which point, what a start Sunderland have made to the season – I think they call that a segue. They spent a load of wedge, granted, but turning that into points isnâ€t easy, though they were handed a friendly start, and if they could win their next two games – Man United away, Wolves at home – theyâ€ll be a long way towards staying up.
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On which point:
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A brace of own goals, goodness me.
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On which point, who on earth is going down?I fear for Burnley, but you can make a decent case for every other team will stay up – including the current bottom three, Wolves, Villa and West Ham.
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We should, though, note that Brentford played really well. A Sunderland-supporting mate of mine told me that Keith Andrews†side are the best his lot have met this season, and they looked very well organised and prepared yesterday. I thought theyâ€d struggle this season and maybe they still will, but so far, theyâ€re in decent shape.
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On Sunday Supplement, theyâ€re talking about Man Unitedâ€s midfield. It really is mind-boggling they didnâ€t buy anyone for that position in the summer – and that was obvious at the time.
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We will, of course, be bringing you updates on all the WSL action and all the goals as they go in, in this very blog.
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Also today, weâ€ve Barcelona v Sociedad and Milan v Napoli; that second match, third v first, should be an absolute belter.
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Weâ€ve got some right tasty fixtures in the WSL this afternoon.Manchester City take on London City; Spurs travel to Leicester; Brighton meet Everton; and Liverpool face Manchester United. Those are our midday kick-offs, after which weâ€ve West Ham v Chelsea. Not bad.
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How far can Glasnerâ€s Palace go?
I was at Selhurst a couple of seasons ago when they walloped Man United 4-0, and I was seriously impressed with Daniel Muñoz. I know heâ€s not the biggest name theyâ€ve had, but heâ€s a very, very good player.
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I actually think Newcastle were pretty fortunate to get a player as good as Isak so early in their PIF era – likewise Bruno Guimarães. Obviously I understand why their fans were disappointed he wanted to leave, but he was crucial in winning them a trophy and his desire to leave shouldâ€ve come as no surprise.
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Updated at 03.57 EDT
Hereâ€s Jonathan Wilsonâ€s Sunday column:
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Our matches today:
Aston Villa v Fulham
Arsenal v Newcastle
Iâ€m looking forward to these. Villa badly need points and will have taken confidence from their win over Bologna in midweek, but theyâ€ll face a different challenge in Marco Silvaâ€s side.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will have taken heart from Liverpoolâ€s defeat, but Newcastle are perhaps the most physical team in the league with one of its best midfields.
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Amorim was, though, right not to blame the ref for his sideâ€s abjectivity, but Iâ€ve not a clue how Nathan Collins escaped a red card for fouling Bryan Mbeumo. The rationale is that Mbeumo wasnâ€t in control of the ball, but he was looking for a one-touch finish, so had no need to be, and had he not been deliberately impeded by a defender making no effort to make a legitimate challenge, he might have scored.
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Another manager under pressure is Ruben Amorim. Iâ€m not sure Unitedâ€s performance yesterday was entirely his fault – the issue wasnâ€t the system nor its principles, rather a lack of composure and intensity – but ultimately that too is his responsibility.
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Incidentally, I absolutely loved Daniel Welbeckâ€s finish for Brightonâ€s third goal.His peak years were sadly hampered by injury, but his dotage has been brilliant. Heâ€s still got it physically, while his touch, imagination and intelligence are even better than before.
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Across London, meantime, aggravation: Chelsea lost again, their performance in beating PSG to win the Club World Cup a distant memory. On the one hand, a dip after that was inevitable; on the other, it was one game, and thereâ€ve been precious few others of similar standard.
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I was out last evening – get me –so Iâ€m only just catching up with Spurs v Wolves and, in particular, Jose Palhinhaâ€s late equaliser.
I also enjoyed this comment from @Xhong_Zina30under the above link:
As a Spurs fan Iâ€ve really enjoyed Frankâ€s tactical flexibility, seeing the team drop points in different ways beats dropping points the same way like last season.
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And what a celebration from Oliver Glasner. That man knows something.
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Imagine Crystal Palace had the resources to hang on to their best players –theyâ€re second in the table having lost Michael Oliseh and Eberechi Eze. Keep them, and youâ€re talking about a title challenge.
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Iâ€m glad Goals on Sunday is back on Sky.Real talk: Iâ€ve not a clue why it was binned to begin with. Someone with expertise chattingabout their unique experience, while reviewing action, whatâ€s not to like?
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Preamble
Morning all and welcome to your Sunday football blog. As ever, thereâ€s a good lot of action to enjoy and weâ€ll be looking forward to it here, from now. Feel free to send in your plans; weâ€ll be bringing you Villa v Fulham and Arsenal v Newcastle, as well as reflecting on yesterdayâ€s typically ridiculous Premier league action.
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Updated at 03.05 EDT
It is instructive to note that Howe was fielding similar questions nearly a year ago.
Newcastle had just gone a whopping 50 corners without scoring in the Premier League – but they eventually started firing again.
By the time Newcastle contested last season’s Carabao Cup final in March, Howe even sensed an opportunity as he stressed to his staff that “a set-play could win us the game… let’s go into the detail that could swing it for us”.
Newcastle spent the next couple of weeks working on free-kicks and corners after spotting Liverpool’s vulnerabilities in deeper areas inside the box.
The routines were not necessarily coming off on the training ground, but one did when it mattered most at Wembley as the Magpies went on to end a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
Burn’s opener that day neatly illustrated the work of assistant manager Jason Tindall and set-play analyst Kieran Taylor, who played their part in Newcastle scoring a respectable 13 goals from free-kicks and corners in the Premier League last season.
However, given the huge amount of work involved, Howe had been looking to bring in an additional set-play coach to help share the load for some time.
And Martin Mark’s record at set-piece innovators Midtjylland certainly stood up when he joined Newcastle in June.
Midtjylland scored more goals from set-plays (19) than any other side in the Danish top flight last season – even after excluding penalties – and maximising dead-ball situations proved crucial to their title win the previous year.
Kristian Bak, who is Midtjylland’s head of sport, said Mark’s “hunger really shone through” during his time at the MCH Arena.
“Martin stood up for the idea that we should be the best in the world in that discipline,” he said of the 32-year-old. “For him, every single day had to involve set-pieces and having a person like that is a gift.
“His hunger and his nerdy attention to detail rubbed off on several departments, and he was very good at spreading the importance of set-pieces across the whole organisation. He took that part to the next level.”