Newcastle United

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What has happened to the atmosphere at St James' Park?

Newcastle United fans Gavin Webster and Anth Young discuss the stadium being "flat" at times this season on the latest episode of BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport podcast.

"When we used to go a goal down you would hear 'Toon, Toon,'" said Young. "People were getting behind the lads to raise them back up.

"Now it is audible groans when we concede and they are not trying to pick the team up. It can be miserable."

It has been a difficult campaign for Eddie Howe's Magpies.

Champions League football returned to the North East, but was short-lived following a group stage exit, and an ever-growing injury list stalled their hopes of a consecutive top-four finish in the Premier League.

And the disappointment on the pitch has transferred to the stands, with not even a 5-1 win over Sheffield United last weekend being enough to lift the St James' Park crowd.

"It did not feel like a big win because the atmosphere was so low," Webster added. "It was, dare I say it, a toxic atmosphere in the first half.

"But even at 4-0 it never picked up. Is that the signs of modern Newcastle, or the modern game?

"The game against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League was electric, like an out of body experience and old school. Was that just a one-off?"

Listen to the Total Sport: Newcastle United Podcast on BBC Sounds

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Burnley and Newcastle United in the Premier League.

• Burnley have won just two of their 13 Premier League matches against Newcastle United, losing the past five in a row. They have never lost six in a row against the Magpies in their league history.

• Following their five consecutive Premier League wins over Burnley, Newcastle United will be looking to win six in a row against an opponent for just a second time. They also registered six wins against Spurs between 2006 and 2008.

• Burnley have lost just one of their past eight Premier League games (W2 D5), going down 1-0 at Everton last month. Before the first game in this run, the Clarets were bottom of the table and 10 points from safety. Going into this weekend's games, they are just two points behind 17th.

• Just 14 of Newcastle's 53 Premier League points this season have come in away games, the lowest percentage of any side this term (26%). However, Burnley have won the lowest share of their points so far in home games (42% - 10/24).

• Jacob Bruun Larsen, Zeki Amdouni and Lyle Foster are Burnley's top scorers in the Premier League this season with five goals each. The Clarets have the lowest-scoring top scorers of any side in the competition this term.

• Alexander Isak has scored 19 Premier League goals this season including nine in his past eight appearances. He could become only the fifth different Newcastle player to score 20 or more goals in a Premier League season, after Alan Shearer (four times), Andrew Cole (1993-94), Peter Beardsley (1993-94) and Les Ferdinand (1995-96).

In this week's episode of Total Sport: Newcastle United Podcast, host Rahul Kohli gets comedians Gavin Webster and Anth Young together with BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck to chat about their earliest Magpies memories.

They also get stuck into the race for Europe and consider plans for St James' Park.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Newcastle, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are among the favourites to sign Everton's Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana, 22. (Football Transfers), external

The Magpies are closing in on Fulham's 26-year-old England defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer. (Sun), external

However, Eddie Howe will not be pressured into selling 26-year-old Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for a fee below his £100m release clause or parting with Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 24. (i Sport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's gossip column

Another weekend, another couple of goals for Alexander Isak.

The Swede is in red-hot form this season and firing Newcastle United into the hunt for European football. Even in a side struck by injuries all year and suffering himself at times, he has managed 19 Premier League goals (23 in all competitions) and is hot on the heels of Cole Palmer for the Golden Boot.

That feat has also made him the highest-scoring Swedish player to grace the Premier League. A record to be proud of, eclipsing the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimivoc.

His goalscoring record since arriving at the Toon is simply fantastic. He has 29 goals in 46 league games and 11 goals this calendar year, which is more than any other player in the Premier League.

Some were shocked with his £63m price tag when the Magpies made him their record signing post-takeover. Others acknowledged his name had been bandied about for a while. There were already comparisons made at the time between himself and one of the greatest strikers in premier league history, Thierry Henry. So much so Arsenal fans already had compilation videos on YouTube of Isak labelled 'welcome to Arsenal the new Thierry'.

He may have been linked to Arsenal and other clubs for some time, but it was the newly-backed Newcastle United that made their move and signed the ‘potential’ that many saw in Isak. This has truly paid off now and that fee could turn out to be a steal.

The Gunners look set to test the water with Newcastle this summer and bid for Isak, according to various reports. It will take an enormous splash in the river Tyne to even consider an offer. We are talking £100m minimum. Even that I would not accept. In this day and age, a striker like Isak is hard to find, and now he has proven himself in the Champions League and the Premier League.

Hopefully Isak is in black and white for many more years to come. Who knows, he might have his eye not just on Alan Shearer's Premier League goalscoring record, but his Newcastle United one as well!

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

Manchester United are still planning to appoint Dan Ashworth as sporting director this summer, with the expectation that a deal over compensation will be agreed with Newcastle United soon. (Football Insider), external

Want more news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.

Do you think Eddie Howe's achievements are being overlooked this season? Good chances of European football with what has been a bare bones squad.

Simon replied: It is the way of the modern game that Howe was lauded last season when he got Newcastle into the Champions League, but the same plaudits are not coming his way this season even though his side will probably finish in the top seven and secure some sort of European football.

Funnily enough, if the seasons had been the other way round, people would be talking about what a solid job he has done with steady improvement. Yet, I suspect, given all the injuries he has had, Howe will be privately pretty pleased with how the campaign as a whole has gone.

It is two decades since Newcastle last secured successive top half finishes. Even backed by Saudi PIF, that achievement is worthy of note.

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Premier League clubs have voted in favour of adopting an anchoring economic model, which will be linked to the earnings of the bottom club (tv and prize money).

The proposed system would operate like a spending cap.

The next stage is final analysis and drafting of rules, which will potentially be put to clubs at an AGM in June.

The model will be presented to clubs and - should clubs vote in favour then - it will replace the Profit and Sustainability Rules currently in place, from the 2025-26 season onwards.

Any new element of the financial system would come in shadow next season, to fully replace PSR in 2025-26.

“We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages," said the PFA

“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”

Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United opposed the vote, with Chelsea abstaining.

On the latest episode of the Total Sport Newcastle United Podcast, the team discuss the Magpies' remaining games this season and whether European football can be secured.

NUFC Blogcast podcast presenter and Fantasy Football Scout Manager Ed Gray is confident, but said finishing in the Europa League places "all comes down to the Manchester United game".

Listen to the podcast here

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Newcastle United and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your answers:

Newcastle fans

Tom: Strange game. Sheffield United absolutely flying out of the blocks and going for it. Big Dan Burn kept us in the game in the first half. He looks much more comfortable at centre-back than when he is stuck on the left. There was a complete transition in the second half, with Newcastle bombing forward at every opportunity and looking like scoring. Was there an interesting half-time talk?

Simon: Very pleased to see us bounce back from a poor midweek performance. We dominated in the second half and it is positive that we are converting chances. I was really pleased, particularly, to see Bruno and Wilson on the scoresheet. We need to push forward and get as many points as possible in our final few games, but well done!

Tant: With all of the injuries sustained this season, this team has shown real resilience under a world-class man manager in Eddie Howe. To be where they are now shows that, to a man, they are fighting for the boss. It was a difficult game today, but they showed great patience and belief in their own game plan to get the three points.

Andrew: We started a bit like me when I had eaten too many lockdown chocolates... slowly and poorly! But we finished like me when I eat a bag of sugar followed by three bottles of energy drink... buzzing and excited! I think we will keep both Guimaraes and Isak this summer. Next year will be great, if this year was anything to go by!

Sheff Utd fans

Bob: Sheffield United were the best team in the first half and could have had three goals. However, Newcastle woke up in the second half and ran out easy winners as the Blades were blunted.

Eric: I am sick and tired of seeing that white flag this season! Just close season, have a big clear out of both the players and management. Fresh ideas and a new approach is needed.

Peter: Chris Wilder is clueless and he needs sacking. This club needs a complete rebuild. Wilder is not the man for the job.

James: A fitting end to an embarrassing season. Unless there is a big change in the club, starting at the top with the owner who has proved himself incapable of running a football club, then there will be a relegation scrap on our hands again next season!

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.

Ken asked: What do you think are the odds of Newcastle holding on to Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak this summer? I feel we could really kick on with one or two quality additions to the current squad.

Simon replied: It is going to be difficult to keep both for two reasons. First, they have both proved themselves capable of playing at the highest level and while Newcastle’s Champions League hopes are not completely over, it would require both an improbable sequence of European results and Tottenham repeatedly losing games, which I don't think it realistic.

Then we come back to the old profit and sustainability question. In order to raise money to reinforce Eddie Howe’s squad and offer bigger contracts, players need to be sold. Which ones can generate the most profit? That tends to be homegrown players as they did not cost a transfer fee.

But Isak and Guimaraes are two of Newcastle’s most valuable assets. And there are bound to be offers for them.

It is a tricky one as I doubt Howe would want to sell, but if Newcastle keep them both, they will have done very well.

Read more of the Q&A with Simon

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"Gimme, gimme, gimme a striker from Sweden. He's our number 14 and he plays in attack. Gimme, gimme, gimme a striker from Sweden. First name's Alexander and his surname's Isak" - sung to the tune of ABBA's Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

This was just a flavour of the soundtrack provided by a group of Newcastle fans which accompanied part of my train journey back from the north east on Saturday.

Newcastle have one of the best strikers in the world, and, understandably, the supporters are happy he belongs to them.

Prior to his 26th-minute equaliser against Sheffield United, Isak hadn't really had a sniff of the goal. However, like all great marksmen, he needed just one chance to demonstrate his elite status.

As I referenced in my Match of the Day commentary, the gangly number 14 has ice in his veins amidst red-hot scoring form.

Isak now has 29 goals in 48 appearances for the club and, since his Premier League arrival in August 2022, Erling Haaland is the only current player (yes, we see you Harry Kane) with a better goal-to-minutes ratio.

Rather fittingly, the race for the golden boot this season could be decided between the two Scandinavians.

When Eddie Howe was asked in his post-match news conference if he would swap Isak for anyone else in the world right now, he said: "No, I wouldn't". It was an understandable instant reply.

His 19 Premier League goals this season is the most by a Newcastle player in a single top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer bagged 22 goals two decades ago.

Howe and the club's ownership will know that, even if they do qualify for the Europa League, there will be plenty of Champions League sides who will look to tempt the striker away this summer.

During a week where it was confirmed Bruno Guimaraes has a £100m release clause in his contract, you would expect it is a similar figure, if not further north, for the Swedish international.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has been praising Alexander Isak after the forward added two more goals against Sheffield United, bringing his tally to 19 in the Premier League goals this season.

The 26-year-old has also found the net in his past seven appearances at St James' Park, with only Andy Cole and Shearer himself enjoying longer home scoring streaks for the Magpies.

"Isak got up and running again," Shearer said on Match of the Day. "His whole game is really, really top notch.

"His runs are superb. If you just watch how clever he is when he doesn't get the first pass played in, he then goes behind a defender to come back in and bend his run to make sure that he is onside, then he can make a really clever finish.

"He can also come deep and drop deep, so he is asking different questions of the defenders by saying: 'Are you going to come with me or are you going to drop off?' If you drop off, he has got the ability to hurt you there.

"He is just a constant threat all the time. His finishing is excellent and his penalty taking is as good as they come.

"He is confident and cool and believes in everything he is doing.

"We know that once he gets away over the top, he is going to cause you an absolute nightmare. His ability to link up and his understanding [is brilliant].

"Everything about his game is of the highest quality. He has scored 19 goals in 23 games - that is a very, very good record."

On whether Isak might be one of the stars Newcastle are forced to sell, Shearer added: "No. No-one has got enough money to buy him."

Catch up on Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

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

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

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Man Utd 1-1 Burnley

• Everton 1-0 Brentford

Here are the key facts and figures following Saturday’s game between Newcastle United and Sheffield United in the Premier League.

• The Blades have now suffered their ninth top-flight relegation, which is as many as local rivals Sheffield Wednesday who have also been relegated nine times. Only five teams have suffered the drop from the top division of English football on more occasions: Birmingham City (12), Leicester City (12), West Bromwich (11), Bolton (10) and Manchester City (10).

• Newcastle have scored 13 Premier League goals against Sheffield United this season, which is the most one team has scored against another team in a single campaign in the competition's history.

• Alexander Isak has scored 19 Premier League goals this season, the most by any Newcastle player in a single top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 (22 goals). He has also scored in each of his past seven Premier League games at St James’ Park, with only Andrew Cole (8 in 1993-94) and Alan Shearer (15 in 1996-97) netting in more consecutive home appearances for the Magpies in the competition.

• Sheffield United have conceded 97 goals in their 35 Premier League games this season, with only Swindon Town (100 goals in 42 games in 1993-94) conceding more in an entire campaign in the competition's history.

• Anthony Gordon has been directly involved in 16 Premier League goals at St James’ Park this season (9 goals, 7 assists), with only Cole Palmer registering more home goal involvements in the competition this term (17).

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the triumphant win: "Half-time was a big moment for us, because we had to regroup. It was a difficult first half because I thought Sheffield United played well. They were fighting for their lives - we knew that they would come here and have a right go.

"It was a much improved second half display and, in the end, we fully deserved the win. We scored at a good time [in the second half] and were devastating at times.

"He [Bruno Guimaraes] is very much part of my plans [for next season]. We have to showcase what we can offer him as a football club and hope that is enough to keep him.

"Bruno is a special talent and he scored a big goal today. Hopefully he stays with us for many years."

On the battle to secure European football for next season: "It would be a great achievement for us. I am very keen to build and maintain the momentum we have had in recent years.

"Last season was a huge achievement to get Champions League football.

"This season has been difficult with injuries, so if the players are able to achieve that [qualification for European football], I think it will be outstanding."

Image source, Getty Images

If Newcastle fans were expecting the Magpies to hit the ground running after Wednesday's limp defeat to Crystal Palace, they were left disappointed.

Eddie Howe's team are looking to secure European football for the second season in succession but started Saturday's game as if they had little to play for - and Sheffield United took full advantage when Anel Ahmedhodzic opened the scoring.

The Blades carved out numerous opportunities to add to their early lead and continued to play on the front foot after Alexander Isak had levelled for the Magpies midway through the first half.

However, Newcastle finally took control after Bruno Guimaraes had put them ahead early in the second and could have added to the scoreline after Callum Wilson had come off the bench to score his first goal since October.

Newcastle have scored 13 league goals against the Sheffield United this season - the most one team has registered against another in a single Premier League campaign.

Isak, who continued his fine form with a double against the Blades, has now found the net in his past seven appearances at St James' Park - only Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer have enjoyed longer streaks for the club.

Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak has been speaking to Premier League Productions following the big victory: "I am very happy. It was important for us to stay in the race for Europe.

"We got off to quite a bad start and needed one goal against us to wake up. The reaction was very good. The manager gave us a wake-up call at half-time.

"Many of my penalties have been here at home. I tried to stay calm and focus on the moment. I was thinking I want a hat-trick. I haven't had one [yet].

"Europe is still alive. We have to focus on ourselves and we will see how it goes."

Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as Newcastle recovered from a sluggish start to thrash Chris Wilder's side at St James' Park.

Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the visitors a deserved early lead, nodding home Gustavo Hamer's in-swinging cross from close range.

The Blades carved out several opportunities to double their advantage, as Newcastle struggled to gain a grip on proceedings, but the home side were level when Alexander Isak drilled home from Jacob Murphy's pass in the 26th minute.

Ben Brereton Diaz had a goal-bound shot blocked by Dan Burn and Mason Holgate headed against the woodwork on the half-hour mark, but the visitors fell behind early in the second half when Bruno Guimaraes steered Lewis Hall's delivery into the far corner.

Isak registered his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot, after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Holgate, before the unfortunate Ben Osborn bundled into his own net for Newcastle's fourth and Callum Wilson came off the bench to score his first top-flight goal since October.

Sheffield United were awarded a late penalty, but the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee who ruled Magpies substitute Alex Murphy had won the ball in a challenge on Jayden Bogle.

The defeat leaves the Blades 10 points adrift of safety with only three games remaining, while Newcastle stay seventh and are well placed to secure a spot in Europe next season.

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, Sheffield United fans?

Follow all of the reaction here