Yesterday’s result against second-top Arsenal at home was a huge disappointment for Newcastle fans – although the game was great for the neutral fan.
But who cares for the neutral fan?
Arsenal were so much better than they were in last season’s fixture, and this time were ready to fight tooth and nail for the win – and that’s what they did.
We were unlucky early in the game as Murphy, who now has an eye for goal, was unlucky to hit the post after only the first minute.
But Arsenal came into the game and Nick Pope came to Newcastle’s aid 4 times in that first half with a one-on-one situation – but managed to block all four shots.
We were not at our best yesterday, but if we are going to get what looks like a minimum of 6 points to get Champions League qualification, we must be at our best in our final four fixtures of the season.
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 13th May - 12:30pm | Leeds (A) |
| 18th May - 2:30pm | Brighton (H) |
| 22nd May - 3:00pm | Leicester (H) |
| 28th May - 4:30pm | Chelsea (A) |
And here is the current table after yesterday’s games.
| Club | Matches | Goal Diff. | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 38 | 61 | 89 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 38 | 45 | 84 |
| 3 | Man United | 38 | 15 | 75 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 38 | 35 | 71 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 38 | 28 | 67 |
| 6 | Brighton | 38 | 19 | 62 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 38 | 5 | 61 |
| 8 | Tottenham | 38 | 7 | 60 |
| 9 | Brentford | 38 | 12 | 59 |
| 10 | Fulham | 38 | 2 | 52 |
The most Manchester United can get are 75 points if they win all 4 games.
The most Liverpool can get are 71 points if they win all 3 games.
The most Spurs can get are 66 points if they win their final 3 games.
The most Brighton can get are 73 points if they win their final 6 games.
Two wins from our final 4 games will see Newcastle on 71 points and since we have the best goal difference of all the above clubs we would finish above Liverpool and Spurs and get top four.
The sleeper is Brighton, who we play in our third last game of the season – a win there would mean we finish above them in the league table, though not technically – but by then the Seasides could have dropped some points on the way.
So it looks like if we can get 2 wins in our final 4 games, we could very well finish in the top 4 (71 points) – 3 wins would make that a definite top-four position on 74 points.
That would be the best points total since the famous 1995-1996 when we finished with 78 points in second place to Manchester United and a gold difference of +29 (we currently have a +32 goal difference).
So if we can do that we’re at some heady heights after only 18 months with our new owners and the brilliant Eddie Howe and his staff.
Indeed, if we can win 3 of our last 4 games, huge celebrations are in order for what will be one of our best-ever Premier League seasons.
Let us know what you think of this quick analysis.
It’s still all to play for.
Comments welcome.
1,150 comments so far
Darnik
May 8, 2023 at 5:37 PM
Comment #81Tfb
No scuds please 😆
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 5:38 PM
Comment #82Hibbit,
True. Ideally I want 3rd just because I want NUFC to be as high up as we can and the extra £2M revenue.
Anyway here are the odds of top 4….
Here are the top 4 odds..
https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/top-4-finish
Fenham to Chalfont
May 8, 2023 at 5:39 PM
Comment #83No worries Darnik I hear you 😉
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 5:39 PM
Comment #84Bad typing Taco. 🙁
ToonDarnSarf
May 8, 2023 at 5:40 PM
Comment #85Taco – I mean lucky in the sense that if Grealish had played for a minute, that would have cost you 9 points. I respect the self enforced rule.
Darnik
May 8, 2023 at 5:41 PM
Comment #86Who knew the Stevie Wonder song I’ll be loving you always was called “As”
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 5:42 PM
Comment #87Everton score?!?! So the odds improved since my post I would imagine.
And no clean sheet for Dunk. This is good for my FPL and for NUFC.
🙂
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 5:43 PM
Comment #88TDS,
Fair point.
Fenham to Chalfont
May 8, 2023 at 5:43 PM
Comment #89Darnik
Who knew the Stevie Wonder song I’ll be loving you always was called “As”
Pardon the pun but I didn’t see that coming 😆
sparky55
May 8, 2023 at 5:48 PM
Comment #90I like the cut of Mitomas jib.
sparky55
May 8, 2023 at 5:49 PM
Comment #91And isnt that Mina a monster…very funny watching the short arsed ref telling him off standing a foot and half shorter than Mina
Pottsclock
May 8, 2023 at 5:52 PM
Comment #92I’m slight torn by this match.
I want Everton to be relegated, but I also clearly don’t want Brighton to pick up points.
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 5:54 PM
Comment #93Mitoma is a very good player and would make NUFC much more popular in Japan which is handy.
However he won’t be cheap and I doubt Brighton are going to sell all their best assets this summer.
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 5:55 PM
Comment #94Potts,
Exactly the sentiments I expressed earlier. I think a score draw works quite well on all fronts!!
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 5:56 PM
Comment #95DCL looks up for it today. Mina and Dunk both on yellow cards now. Will either of them last ninety minutes?
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 5:58 PM
Comment #96TTT
Looks like Mac Allister is on his way, not sure if they’d let more players go after they’ve done so well this season.
Feisty game. Another yellow card dished out.
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 5:59 PM
Comment #97Everton really up for this. Brighton having to defend well here.
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Comment #98They might let Caicedo leave if they get a silly offer, which is likely.
Toon fans bad
May 8, 2023 at 6:01 PM
Comment #99Darnik,
Scuds?
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:02 PM
Comment #100Goal for Everton! 2-0.
Raj of Hailsley
May 8, 2023 at 6:03 PM
Comment #101What’s happening at Brighton 😮
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 6:03 PM
Comment #102sparky55
May 8, 2023 at 5:49 PM
Comment #91
And isnt that Mina a monster…very funny watching the short arsed ref telling him off standing a foot and half shorter than Mina
Did you see the footage a few months ago when Everton fans stopped his car and he got out and had a polite chat with them..
https://youtube.com/shorts/r2lBSfFJf9k?feature=share
https://youtu.be/QKoaLU5Ff1o
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:03 PM
Comment #103Doucoure with his second of the game.
Munster Mag
May 8, 2023 at 6:03 PM
Comment #104Why are Everton playing so early?
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:04 PM
Comment #105Did well to adjust himself for that finish. Wasn’t easy.
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:05 PM
Comment #106Munster
I think it’s a Bank Holiday over there, right? Hence three games spaced out over the day with earlier weekday starts.
Munster Mag
May 8, 2023 at 6:07 PM
Comment #107OK I thought Charlie was messing with the footie
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:08 PM
Comment #1083-0! McNeil!
shaun83
May 8, 2023 at 6:09 PM
Comment #109Brighton wide open on transition, will suit us I think. Also, looks like Brighton out of the equation!
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:09 PM
Comment #110Looked like Doucoure was on for his hattrick but Iwobi’s ball was poor. Own goal off the keeper technically.
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:11 PM
Comment #111Everton on the break again, should have made it four. Brighton in trouble here.
jane
May 8, 2023 at 6:13 PM
Comment #112i think BBC scores has been hacked
Novocastrian66
May 8, 2023 at 6:14 PM
Comment #113I wouldn’t take Mitoma. He is a bit one dimensional and is not better than the players we have in his position.
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:15 PM
Comment #114Webster feeling his hammy there. Wonder if he’s tweaked something? Won’t be good for Brighton if he has.
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 6:16 PM
Comment #115Scythe,
Exactly my point. I can’t see Brighton selling Mac Allister, Caicedo and Mitoma.
2 of those 3 is possible.
Personally I would far rather we get Szoboszlai over any of them. He is the one…
https://youtu.be/Vy7RaQUmOzE
SiOliver
May 8, 2023 at 6:20 PM
Comment #116Puts Leeds in bottom 3 – does that make our game harder at the weekend?
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 6:22 PM
Comment #117Aside from a general desire from many of us to want to see Everton relegated this is going very well for NUFC.
And my FPL too TDS. Dunk on minus points now.
😉
Scythe
May 8, 2023 at 6:22 PM
Comment #118Steele keeps it at 3-0. Should have been four!
ToonDarnSarf
May 8, 2023 at 6:24 PM
Comment #119Taco – I’d take a Mitoma hattrick now and everyone is happy.
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 6:24 PM
Comment #120SiOliver,
I would say in terms of our game vs Leeds it is neutral or positive for us.
Lots of pressure on Leeds now (and Leicester)
Overall I think it benefits us.