Newcastle United

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BBC Radio Newcastle's Raul Kohli believes Newcastle United have rediscovered their nasty streak, as Eddie Howe's side look to continue their scintillating form.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Total Sport Newcastle podcast, he says that the Magpies must "fight for each other" if they are to continue their form beyond Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg victory at Arsenal.

"It was lacking a bit in the earlier part of the season. It is good to see the dark arts back," he said.

"Some people may say they don't like to see it in football but it's good to see people like Jason Tindall sticking up for his players.

"I also saw when Joelinton went down, Tonali shouted at him to stay down."

Commentator Matthew Raisbeck said that while Howe's side have been accused of 'dark arts' tactics in the past, seeing games out is something that every side - including Tuesday's hosts - does in the modern game.

"It is something Newcastle have been accused of doing under Eddie Howe but lots of teams do it," he said.

"Newcastle United - why should they not do it? Why should they be the ones that don't get involved in that?

"Then it is up to the referee to add time on or issue a yellow card if he feels it is outside of the rules.

"Dark arts is what Newcastle have been accused of and something Arsenal have been pretty good at as well. It worked in Newcastle's favour [on Tuesday]."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Bromley manager Andy Woodman tells The Football News Show that his players have earmarked Joelinton as Newcastle United's key player and why they hope to get the chance to face him in their FA Cup third round clash.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

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Leicester City, Brentford, Ipswich, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal.

They are the seven victims of Newcastle's incredible winning run that has propelled them up the Premier League table and within 90 minutes of a Wembley final in the Carabao Cup.

Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali are among those to have grabbed the headlines, but what do the underlying numbers reveal about the Magpies' outstanding form?

Getting the balance right in midfield has been crucial for Eddie Howe. Just before this run, we asked Newcastle fans to tell us about players going under the radar and you told us to take note of Sean Longstaff as instrumental to their good results.

Since then, he has barely featured.

Instead, Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes have been the three of choice and have repaid their manager's faith with a series of stellar performances. Indeed, former Magpies midfielder told BBC Radio Newcastle the trio is "as good as anyone" in the world at the moment.

Since the start of December, incorporating the dramatic 3-3 draw with Liverpool and the infuriating 4-2 defeat by Brentford, Newcastle have averaged 18 shots per game, six more than the average for their opening 13 games.

Isak's pinpoint finishing has obviously been helpful - seven goals in seven games - but Newcastle's conversion rate of 16.6% is actually slightly lower than it was prior to this winning run.

It is not that they are controlling games more - 52% average possession against 49% is not a huge uplift - rather it is what they are doing when they have hold of the football.

And as a result, their average expected goals (xG) number has greatly increased - 2.7 goals per game since the winning run began on 14 December, as opposed to 1.3 beforehand.

Even more noteworthy perhaps is the dip in expected goals against (xGA). Over the past five Premier League games, it has more than halved from a previous average of 1.3 to 0.6.

That has coincided with first choice Nick Pope's unfortunate injury but Martin Dubravka has excelled as his deputy, conceding just three goals in his seven appearances.

The return of defensive linchpin Sven Botman can only help this much improved defensive record, while offering further confidence it is sustainable.

And if it is, with an fixture list of Wolves, Bournemouth, Southampton and Fulham, there is understandable optimism Newcastle's winning run can continue indefinitely.

Former England midfielder Rob Lee is the most recent player to find the net for Newcastle United at Wembley, but he has tipped Alexander Isak to take that spot from him after Eddie Howe's side opened up a two-goal advantage in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

Lee spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about the Magpies' "unbelievable" performance at Emirates Stadium, saying: "We now have a fantastic chance of getting to Wembley again and lifting a trophy.

"I think Isak has got a pretty good chance of breaking my record, if he gets to Wembley, because at the moment he is probably the best striker in the world."

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Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has won the Premier League's player of the month award for December.

The Sweden forward scored eight goals and provided two assists for Newcastle, who won four of their six league matches in the month.

It was part of an awards double for Isak - his strike against Liverpool won the Premier League's goal of the month prize.

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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has said the club should resolve Martin Dubravka's future as soon as possible, with the Slovakia international only having six months remaining on his contract.

Speaking before Sunday's FA Cup tie against Bromley, Howe was asked about Dubravka, who has starred in recent games in place of the injured Nick Pope.

"I think he has been in a difficult position with his contract being up in the summer," said the Newcastle boss. "There is that doubt and he will naturally want some conclusion to his future.

"Whatever the outcome, he has more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Hopefully, we can come to some sort of agreement with him."

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Howe added that Dubravka himself has not actively looked to depart permanently in the January transfer window.

"Martin has never said he wants to leave," he added. "He has been a very good professional and it's a credit to him because it was difficult when Nick Pope was in the team, but he was ready to come in and perform.

"That's down to how hard he trains and you can see how much Newcastle means to him. He is very invested.

"I think the right decision will be the right decision - not just for us but for Martin as well.

"Martin is performing really well and we want to keep him. He's never said he wants to leave and hopefully we can resolve things."

Joe Nelson
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's FA Cup tie against Bromley (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the future of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka who was emotional after the Carabao Cup game at Arsenal on Tuesday and has been linked with a move away: "I think he has been in a difficult position with his contract being up in the summer. There is that doubt and he will naturally want some conclusion to his future. Whatever the outcome, he has more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement with him."

• Alexander Isak has recovered from a knock picked up during that win at Emirates Stadium, but is expected to be rested: "We think he is in a good place. He is seeing his physio and we have given him a couple of days' rest. Fingers crossed he is going to be OK. We would have involved him in the game some way but he will probably be given this game to get himself right and rest ahead of the busy schedule."

• Sven Botman has recovered after going off with cramp at Emirates Stadium following his return from a lengthy injury lay-off: "Sven is doing well. It was naturally a build-up of fatigue. He felt he was fine to play against Arsenal. He was absolutely brilliant. He was determined, physical and excellent."

• Defender Dan Burn embodies what Howe values in his side: "He always shows the spirit we need and knows what it means to play for this club. He has been the model of consistency. When we signed Dan, he may not be the sexiest of names but he has been fundamental to what we have done. He embodies everything we want here."

• Howe issued updates on the fitness of Nick Pope and Callum Wilson: "Callum is on the grass today. He is making good progress actually and we have been very pleased. It was such a difficult situation for him. He could be coming back around about February if everything goes as we think. He is very focused on his comeback. Nick is not far away. He hasn't trained with the group yet and has done goalkeeping training one-on-one. I think there is a bit longer needed before his knee is fully strong enough to play."

• Howe confirmed he will shuffle his options for the FA Cup tie: "We always had on the horizon this game when we knew we would have to rotate our squad. We have players who are desperate to play and showcase their qualities [but] we still have to get through."

• However, he is not taking their League Two opponents lightly: "We have to pick a strong squad. The desire is there from us. We don't prioritise one competition over any other. That's how we have tried to focus this season and this game will be no different. We will give them the utmost respect and try to win the match."

• The FA Cup remains important to him: "I don't think it has changed at all. The FA Cup has always been one of the things that brought me into football. There is still a magic to it and we are on the other side where Bromley will have that hope. We have to be really professional and try and get that job done."

Follow all of Friday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Full commentary of Newcastle v Bromley from 15:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday

Former Newcastle United midfielder Rob Lee believes Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are currently forming a midfield three that is "as good as there is" in football right now.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle at the launch event for the release of Newcastle's iconic kit from the 1995-97 seasons, Lee said: "I love Bruno - I think he is a great player.

"Since Tonali started sitting in front of the back four, he has been outstanding in every game I have seen. And big Joe as well.

"Those midfield three are as good as there is - I don't care what anybody says."

In the latest edition of BBC Radio Newcastle's Magpies podcast, the Total Sport team chats about the Magpies' scintillating form - including their 2-0 victory at Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Matthew Raisbeck and comedian Raul Kohli discuss how Eddie Howe's side are putting together this run of form and how taking on responsibility for one another has led to Newcastle's winning streak.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds now

Newcastle are tracking Southampton and England goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale. (Mail, external)

The Magpies are also one of three Premier League clubs interested on Bournemouth quartet Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez, Antoine Semenyo and Dean Huijsen. (The i, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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This is the first ever meeting between Newcastle and Bromley and the League Two side's first ever FA Cup third round tie and first ever competitive meeting with a top-flight opponent.

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Newcastle have announced the appointment of Jacobo Solis to the club's Board of Directors.

Solis is Head of Europe Direct Investments in the International Investments Division at PIF - the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia which has a majority stake in Newcastle.

Solis previously worked as an investment banker in the United States and as a lawyer in his native Spain and has been directly involved with the Magpies since the takeover led by PIF in October 2021.

He also sits on the boards of LIV Golf and the electric powerboating E1 Series, both of which have received investment from PIF.

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For Newcastle the January transfer window is more about keeping their players than adding to what they have got.

Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak were targets in the summer and are now fresh targets again.

Arsenal's interest in Isak continues and although there is scope to call them a 'bigger club' than Newcastle, I don't like to use that term as to me the Magpies are just as big.

If Isak didn't settle then would he still be performing the same as he is now? I am not sure. It is a decision that he would really have to weigh up as well as the club.

Incomings wise, Newcastle have always seemed to want two players in every position and now they are getting back into the form we have become used to seeing from them, they don't want to be hindered by injuries.

Jacob Murphy on the right-hand-side has hit really good form but they don't have cover for him. Miguel Almiron came on against Arsenal but he has been out of Eddie Howe's favour this season so there is no competition for Murphy.

Is Murphy someone they will be looking at long-term to help them push-on? Probably not. But he is definitely playing a part at the moment.

They might also look for a back-up striker to Isak given Callum Wilson's injury record, but otherwise they are comfortable and have found their best 11.

A few weeks ago there were concerns about the results but as soon as they recovered their injured players they have hit really good form.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, 35, has an agreement in principle with Saudi club Al-Shabab but is waiting on a final decision from Newcastle. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Matthew Raisbeck
BBC Radio Newcastle reporter

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The scheduling is strange this year for the League Cup because there are extra games to fit in. There is more midweek Premier League football than before, including next week when Newcastle are at home to Wolves.

But Arsenal have a packed schedule as well because of the Champions League. Before the second leg, they have an FA Cup tie, some Premier League games and two Champions League fixtures as well. So they have even more games to cram in.

Four weeks feels like a long time to wait and then the final is not until 16 March, three weeks later than usual.

So the League Cup is being dragged out and spread out, but it is something to look forward to - and Newcastle are in an incredible position.

They have got some room for error but if they do what they did in the first leg, my goodness how special will it be for the second leg.

I think it will sur the feeling from two years ago when they beat Southampton because they were favourites to win that one, but they are not this time. What they did in the first leg was extraordinary.

Under Eddie Howe and the new ownership, I can only think of the victory over Paris Saint-Germain at home as being better.

You should not say it because it is halfway in the tie, but it feels like it is one foot in the League Cup final.

Listen to full commentary on every Newcastle United game, and have your say on the Magpies on Total Sport North East every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Newcastle.

And subscribe to the Total Sport Newcastle United podcast on BBC Sounds

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Is there a better in-form number nine than Alexander Isak right now?

Newcastle team-mate Anthony Gordon does not believe so, telling BBC Radio 5 Live "he is the best in Europe right now," following another eye-catching performance from the Sweden international.

"My ears pricked up when I listened to that," said Glenn Murray on the Football Daily podcast. "But after trying to list some others, I think he might be right."

Isak has scored 15 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions this season and assisted four. Last season he netted 25 across 40 games, so the striker is on track to sur that tally.

"I've played under Eddie Howe and he is definitely a coach as well as a manager," added Murray. "He does make players better and it shows. This all comes from his time at Bournemouth where he took a nucleus of a squad from League One to the Premier League. In order to do that you have to be able to improve players.

"It is probably different to a lot of other clubs in the top flight because if you are signed then there is an expectation that you are the finished product. Howe has a different outlook."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Mike: It confirmed the debate on whether Arsenal need a new striker. Alexander Isak was the difference. If he'd have been in a red shirt it would have been a different game. The Kai Havertz chance was the confirmation we need - a free header five yards out and he shoulders it wide. Mikel Arteta needs to stop blowing time and money on 12-goal-a-year forwards thinking he can make them into prolific ones and just buy a proven goalscorer.

John: So much at stake in a big game and players didn't turn up. You could see players were out of their depth. If Arsenal don't win anything this year, I think Arteta has a lot of thinking to do. He surely must realise he can't depend on the squad he has. The next four games will define our season.

Stu: Players recovering from illness and injury, coupled with the loss of our star Bukayo Saka meant we couldn't cope with an excellent bang-in-form Newcastle side. We have a mountain to climb this month but let's get behind our boys.

Vince: Tired and toothless - it looks like top four in the league is all we're going for again. We should be going all out in every game, especially in one-off cup matches, but in the last two or three the opposition have had more desire to win. Losing Saka was bad yes but there's still enough quality there to make a difference. There's no excuse, even if they don't buy anyone this month.

Newcastle fans

Phil: Excellent performance by the whole team. It is true that Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored the great goals, assisted by Jacob Murphy, but the midfield and defence were always well organised and greatly assisted by Martin Dubravka (won't we miss him?) who ensured we kept a clean sheet again! Well done Eddie Howe - you and the lads deserve silverware for this season's performances.

Pete: Toon were well organised and played to their strength. Probably one of the best defensive performances under Howe. Newcastle deserved to win and hopefully will go on to lift the trophy. It's been a long wait.

Phil: What a performance! It was an all-round top shift from all the players but Isak is incredible. He utterly confuses the best defences again and again. To be fair, how can the opposition know what he will do next when often he doesn't? Most fans are annoyed with all the constants Isak-to-Arsenal links - they frankly couldn't afford him!

Rod: Simply a magnificent performance masterminded by Eddie Howe's set-up. Totally committed from kick-off to the final whistle. Just unbelievably good!

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Former Premier League striker Dion Dublin says Newcastle's performance against Arsenal showed the "togetherness" of the players and "every man stood up and did their job at a very difficult place to go."

It was an inconsistent start to the 2024-25 Premier League season for the Magpies but a run of five league wins in a row has propelled them from 12th to fifth in the table.

And they used that confidence to be defensively stubborn against one of the biggest attacking threats in the league in Arsenal.

"Newcastle have their mojo back," said Dublin on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "They seemed to get it all right.

"They were so aggressive in their press and so aggressive when they got the ball to to Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon or Jacob Murphy.

"Behind them you can see how the defence are organising while in possession just in case they lose the ball. They seem to have each other's backs and there is a lot of togetherness.

"There were lots of captains in black and white shirts taking responsibility. Every man stood up and did their job at a very difficult place to go."

Ex-Premier League forward Glenn Murray, who was at Emirates Stadium added: "Newcastle deserved it. It wasn't pretty at times but they were effective in both boxes and that's exactly what Arsenal weren't.

"Eddie Howe really harnessed momentum to get Newcastle into the Champions League and it feels like that is starting to gather pace again.

"Things are looking good at Newcastle."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

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Wednesday's newspaper back pages are dominated by Newcastle's clinical win against Premier League title chasers Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Newcastle have been champions of England four times and won six FA Cups, but have not lifted silverware since the Fairs Cup in 1969.

However, their fans will be dreaming this is the year that long wait for a trophy finally ends.

Eddie Howe's men took control of their semi-final with a superb first-leg win against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium and will make the final if they avoid defeat, or lose by a one-goal margin, in the second leg at St James' Park on 5 February.

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Newcastle's Anthony Gordon speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after victory in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Emirates Stadium: "To a man, everyone was top level. Coming to this place is so hard and Arsenal defend really well. It was always going to be a smash-and-grab kind of game for us, but we executed it perfectly.

"We are a team and that's when we play at our best, when everyone's on the same page. We have to be ruthless with and without the ball - all the top teams do it."

On team-mate Alexander Isak: "Very good. He is the best in Europe, probably, right now, with the form he's in. The best quality he has got is that he is so humble. He is not scared to the ball. He's very unselfish, and his best ability is his raw ability on the ball."

On possibly winning the cup: "It would mean the world, but we cannot think about that. They can easily flip this fixture if we are not at our best levels."

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe spoke to ITV after Newcastle's 2-0 win at Arsenal: "Very pleased with the players. It was a tough game for us in many respects. We had players struggling at half-time. Really pleased with how we played.

On the form of goalscorer Alexander Isak: "First half he was electric and I thought he played really well. He scored and his general game was in a really good place. He was feeling his hamstring a bit at half-time so we had to manage him in the second half and that was a big blow to our performance.

"I think we rode our luck at times and I think Martin [Dubravka] played really well and made some really good saves. For the set-plays, in the main, we got the small details right. Our mentality to defend our goal with the blocked shots, the heroic pieces of defending that we saw in the last 20 to 30 minutes... it's great for us for the future."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Newcastle's Alexander Isak has long been heralded as the sort of striker Arsenal need. At Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, he showed the Gunners exactly what they were missing.

Isak was superb, scoring one goal and making the other one. He also gave Arsenal's defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba a rarely-seen torrid time as Newcastle gained a brilliant 2-0 away win in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

After Newcastle's 4-0 victory over Ipswich last month, in which Isak scored his first hat-trick for the club, boss Eddie Howe said he wanted the Swede to help guide the team to a first trophy since 1969.

Isak's performance in London leaves Newcastle fans dreaming of a Wembley return after losing in the Carabao Cup final only two years ago.

Although Isak grabbed the headlines, it was a superb team effort from a Newcastle side that dealt irably with the constant threat of dangerous inswinging corners from the hosts as the Gunners lost for the first time at home this season.

The Newcastle players were quick to stress afterwards the tie was not over, but the fans will be eagerly awaiting the second leg at what promises to be a raucous St James' Park on 5 February, with the ers hoping the team can finish the job off and secure a Wembley spot.