Newcastle United

Incredible Eddie!

Howe has he done it again? Pardon the pun but at this point I feel obliged to mention Eddie Howe at every given opportunity. The man is a genius.

Despite having 11 injured players for the visit of Spurs, he didn’t just pull off a win, he pulled off a hammering! Playing wingers as full-backs and full-backs as centre-backs, he masterminded an emphatic 4-0 win over the side in fourth place.

Everyone was so quick to put Ange Postecoglou on a pedestal this season, raving about him and his style of play. Yet for me, Howe is still somehow criminally underrated. He destroyed Ange's high line and proved his tactical wit and bravery once again.

He continues to perform miracles at Newcastle United! For the Magpies to be sitting sixth in the league after a horrendous injury crisis this season, losing main summer signing Sandro Tonali to suspension, dealing with Champions League football and deadly cup draws, it is astonishing.

Howe has guided the Toon Army above Manchester United and are front runners for Europa League qualification. What an achievement that would be even without all of the mitigating circumstances this season. It has been a fantastic run of form for the Magpies which has seen them take 10 points out of a possible 12 in the last two weeks.

It is all setting up nicely for Newcastle to qualify for Europe and for Howe to be in contention for manager of the year again!

Matty Renton can be found at The Magpie Channel TV, external

Newcastle United are looking into the possibility of signing Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, along with 25-year-old Bournemouth centre-back Lloyd Kelly, who are both out of contract this summer. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, the Magpies are intensifying their scouting of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, as they look to beat Manchester United and Chelsea to the 20-year-old Slovenia striker. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Anonymous asked: What did you think of Newcastle's performance against Tottenham? We put them to the sword with players out, but all everyone wants to talk about is how bad Tottenham were.

Phil answered: I thought Newcastle United were outstanding from the first whistle and have kept themselves in contention for the European places. They have recovered remarkably well from a period when they were not at their best and with an incredibly long injury list.

In Alexander Isak they have an outstanding striker while Anthony Gordon has been a real stand-out this season and is under serious consideration for England's Euro 2024 squad.

Perhaps the focus was on Spurs because of the fight for Champions League places, but they were very well beaten by Newcastle on Saturday.

Did you know?

Newcastle only had 27% possession compared to Spurs' 73% but still had more touches in the opposition box (32 to 28), more shots (18 to 11) and more big chances (five to one) than the north London side.

Their 27% was also the second-lowest percentage on record (since 2003-04) for a team to win by a four or more goal margin in the Premier League after Everton 5-1 Brighton in May 2023 (22.3%).

Alexander Isak has scored in six consecutive home games for Newcastle United and is the first player to score 20 goals since Alan Shearer in 2003-04.

The 24-year-old has netted 27 in 46 games since he joined from Real Sociedad in August 2022 for a fee in the region of £60m.

Isak's double against Tottenham on Saturday took him to 17 league goals this season - the joint highest by a Swedish player in a campaign along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's total at Manchester United in 2016-17.

"I like him and so do the fans," said former England captain Shearer on Match of the Day 2. "He is having a wonderful season.

"When you leave him space he is so dangerous. He is bright and alert and scores all types of goals. He just does not panic.

"If you are being really picky then obviously you would want him to be on the pitch more because he has had injuries. But what a talent and what a player.

"Simply superb."

Watch MOTD2 on BBC iPlayer

We asked for your views on Newcastle's 4-0 victory over Tottenham on Saturday.

Here are some of your answers:

Newcastle fans

Daniel: Brilliant game to watch. It seems we have our passion for winning back, like how it was at the start of the season. Happy Bruno didn’t get a card, as it means no suspension. Amazing performance from all the lads.

Simon: What a performance. Brilliant work across the field. Strong defensive shape with players supporting each other. Brilliant going forward. I think this is our strongest, most switched on, performance this season. Well done Eddie, staff and players.

Matt: Eddie Howe's tactics today worked perfectly. Gordon, Isak and Barnes terrorised Spurs' high line and when we needed to defend the flexible back five worked well. Anyone still saying Eddie should be sacked surely can’t be saying anything after this. So proud of this team with all the injuries we’ve had.

Spurs fans

Bryan: Another awful away performance with some quite atrocious defending. Do we actually employ any defence coaches? And, yet again, Postecoglou is shown to have no plan B and is seemingly incapable of adapting his tactics to curtail the opposition. He's starting to divide Spurs fans. Personally I think he's out of his depth.

Paul: Wow! Another shocking defeat, but an even worse performance overall. We lost every 50/50 challenge and the defenders were in a constant state of panic. For the first time since he took over I was disappointed in Ange’s leadership and tactics. We should buy Isak as soon as possible as we need a quality striker who leads the line and carries a goal threat.

Joseph: Watching Spurs is like Groundhog Day. Every match is the same. Constant sideways and backwards passes with no creativity or penetration to break down the opposition. And shocking defending, especially at set-pieces. You can guarantee they'll let in a goal from a corner, leaving someone a free header. Ange's honeymoon period is over. Sort it out!

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentary in full:

Manchester City v Luton Town

Bournemouth v Manchester United

Newcastle United have made 24-year-old Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White one of their main summer transfer targets. (Mirror), external

The Magpies are expected to offer England full-back Kieran Trippier a new contract, with the 33-year-old's current deal running out at the end of next season. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe hailed the ruthlessness shown by his Newcastle side after a thumping win over Tottenham in his post-match media duties.

No doubt the Magpies boss had Alexander Isak firmly in mind with those comments following two clinical finishes.

The 24-year-old Swedish forward now has 21 goals in 34 games in all competitions this season and has clearly taken a liking to playing in front of the Toon faithful.

Isak has netted in six consecutive matches at St James' Park.

He is fast cementing his place as the latest goalscorer to occupy a place in the heart of the Gallowgate.

Isak's exploits in the box are likely to see other clubs sniff about - but after shelling out £60m to bring him to Tynside it would take a truly staggering offer to prise him away.

European football feels within Newcastle's grasp after this victory, especially if Isak continues in this vein of form.

Image source, Getty Images

Alexander Isak speaking to BBC Match of the Day after Newcastle's victory against Tottenham: "Playing football is really fun at the moment, especially when we have days like this. When the fans are like they are always when we play at home, it feels like we are so strong here."

On service he gets from his teammates: "We have spoken about being more precise with our passes, because Tottenham have a high line so if we have good passes we can hurt them in behind. The service today was incredible."

On scoring in a sixth home game in a row: "You guys in the media always find more records and statistics to be beaten, but I just play and do my best. It is obviously a nice thing to have."

On turning form around since FA Cup exit: "We know we can still achieve something this season and end it in a good way. We have a lot of energy and momentum now, have turned things around and it is just about keeping on going like this."

Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Match of the Day after Newcastle's victory v Tottenham: "It was a great performance from us, I thought the players executed everything in a really professional, diligent way. Really pleased with the players."

On Newcastle's discipline: "We protected the lead really well because we went for more goals and were aggressive still. We looked in a really great place physically, were able to execute what we wanted to do, and I think everyone performed at a very good level."

On getting back-to-back wins: "I think that's why winning when you don't play well is such a skill and can't be underestimated because you will have your days when everything does go your way and I think we showed today that we can still be a very efficient team, ruthless with our attacking, very diligent and compact. Everything came together and we deservedly won."

On how deep the players have had to dig with the squad struggling with injuries: "Incredibly deep. I've complimented the players all season that the guys who have been fit for the whole season have carried the burden and have been outstanding. The mentality to the challenge has never wavered, we've had some difficult moments but they've come through them. Hopefully we can stay in relatively good shape between now and the end of the season and continue to pick up points."

• Only Liverpool (42), Arsenal (38) and Man City (38, before today’s game) have earned more points in Premier League home games this season than Newcastle (36).

• Each of Tottenham’s past three Premier League defeats by 4+ goals have come against Newcastle at St James’ Park – also 1-5 in May 2016 and 1-6 in April 2023. Indeed, they’ve now lost by 4+ goals against Newcastle more often than they have vs any other opponent in Premier League history (5).

• With one goal and two assists, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has been involved in three goals in a Premier League match for the first time. Meanwhile, he’s also had a hand in more home goals than any other player in the Premier League this term (15 – 9 goals, 6 assists).

• Tottenham have now conceded 61 Premier League goals against Newcastle at St James’ Park, only conceding more at one away venue (64 at Anfield).

• Alexander Isak scored his 16th and 17th Premier League goals of the season for Newcastle – it’s the joint-most netted by a Swedish player in a campaign, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2016-17.

Alexander Isak's rich goalscoring form at St James' Park continued as Newcastle beat Tottenham to boost their hopes of European football next season.

Isak produced two clinical finishes to score in each half as he netted on home turf for the sixth consecutive match.

The striker now has 17 goals in 24 Premier League appearances this season.

Anthony Gordan and Fabian Schar were also on target for the Magpies, while Timo Werner had two chances for Spurs but his finishing let him down.

Newcastle's emphatic victory lifted them up to sixth in the table - a point ahead of Manchester United, who face Bournemouth at 17:30 BST on Saturday.

Spurs dropped to fifth and are still level on points with Aston Villa but below Unai Emery's side on goal difference.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Newcastle fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Spurs fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries:

• Man City v Luton

• Bournemouth v Man Utd

All times BST

Follow BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries and live text updates here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on actor and Leyton Orient fan Daniel Mays.

Sutton's prediction: 2-3

What a game this will be. I was at Newcastle's 4-3 win over West Ham at the end of March and I am expecting a few goals this time too.

I didn't see Newcastle's win at Fulham last week coming, but it was a great result and it means they are looking up the table now, with their sights set on sixth place.

Tottenham's target is to finish fourth and they won't settle for a point here. It is going to be very close but I have got a feeling they will edge it.

Daniel's prediction: 2-1

This is a really tough one to call. They really get going at St James' Park so, as much as I am a Spurs fan, I am going to back Newcastle here.

See the full list of predictions here

As the Magpies look to continue their push for European qualification next season, the Total Sport Newcastle United Podcast team have been looking ahead to Saturday's match against top-four chasing Tottenham and where Eddie Howe's side might finish come the end of the season.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Newcastle United via Getty Images

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe spoke in glowing terms about midfielder Joelinton, who signed a new "long-term" deal with the club on Thursday.

There were fears that he could depart on a free transfer in the summer, but those concerns have now disappeared with news of his new contract.

The 27-year-old Brazil international joined for a then-club record £40m fee from Hoffenheim in 2019. He is currently sidelined with a thigh injury and is not expected to return until next season, but is a crucial component of the Magpies' midfield.

Howe is aware of the financial implications of securing Joelinton's future and how it may impact Newcastle's summer business with profit and sustainability limits.

"Of course something like this will have ramifications. You're potentially lifting wages and that has an impact on your Financial Fair Play sheet," Howe said.

"But the alternative is that Joe leaves on a free transfer, which for a player of his quality, would be really bad business from us."

Speaking on how positive securing Joelinton's future is, Howe added: "It helps with the perception of our ambition and that we're still desperate to grow and improve.

"For me, to do that you have to try to keep your best players, you have to try to create something that everyone wants to be part of."