bookd.
Leeds4 - 1Newcastle
1H - All I can say is Botman has looked absolutely miles off it with the exception of MW1. Strange play with Nico leading to an early appearance for Steur put the nail in the coffin. Pardo looked lost. 2H - a bit of life but my lord, very little positivity to cling to. Props to Elland Road for displaying what looked like atmosphere of the year.
Leeds
Millwall0 - 1Newcastle1H - My word, some great football that produces chances but very little in the form of serious shots on goal. The Wissa/Willock partnership is not one many expected to see. 2H - Millwall coming into there own and the mags get lucky not to concede on several occasions. Willock saves the Toon from banana skin fallout but still some questions about the finishing capabilities of this team *cough, Elanga *cough cough Doesn’t matter…. On to the next round!!!
NewcastleNewcastle3 - 2West Brom
1H - Baggies are actually halfway decent at moving the ball. Touré looked a little unsure of himself and wasn’t working with Hall on the left. All level on a goal that may or may not have been OG. Is it me or does Nick Pope save the free kick to equalize? 2H - Woltamade playing way too deep, another poor concession after taking the lead but Barnes will tear you apart again. That Sean Steur has some motor on him.
NewcastleNewcastle2 - 2Liverpool
Well, football is back and it’s time to feel every emotion known to man within the span of 90+ The new look, new nearly everything mags came out with an energy in some ways not seen since the Fun88 days. Yes there were errant passes, yes they invited pressure at times and sat back, but godammit they played like Newcastle and there’s only one Kevin Keegan. 1H - fast, pressing and forward momentum driven by a confident Miley/Steur duo. Lewis Hall became an immovable object flanked by solid performances from Botmab and Thiaw. 2H - tired legs but have you seen this fellow Dedić? Perhaps the most poignant (farewell?) goal from Willockinho to recapture the lead and a sad, deflation at the last moment in a capitulated penalty. Nice to see subs that actually make a difference but could Schär come in earlier?
Newcastle
Fulham2 - 0NewcastleThat’s a bow on a season of disappointment. This team will look so different the next time they step on the pitch for a premier league match.
FulhamNewcastle1 - 2Bournemouth
1H - NUFC free falling via tepid play and a tendency to sit back and let the football happen to them. Easily could have been 3-0 to the cherries early. Several honking performances including Lewis Hall 2H - a brief bright spot with Bruno G returning but Newcastle remain miles off it, even with another nifty goal for Osula. Eddie Howe is tired and the guy wants to go.
Crystal Palace2 - 1Newcastle1H - slow and jagged play punctuated by a Ramsdale double save and a strange sliding goal for Osula via cross from Louis Miley. 2H - Newcastle sat back and invited pressure as they typically do with a lead on the road in 25/26. A few chances to brace, including a gifted breakaway for Osula who couldn’t convert. Enter Mateta, add some feckless subs from Howe, add a 90+ penalty, and you have another meltdown that could be a final straw for this era of NUFC.