Antonio Conte is correct. Eddie Howe might not like to admit it. Although he might be eager to downplay expectations and may just be trying to remain stereotypically level-headed, he could be right. Newcastle United really are showing that they are the Premier League’s coming force.
They were always going remain a threatLong term, once Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) controversially bought an 80 per cent stake in the club last October. They are proving that they can win every match. Tottenham Hotspur head coach’s theory that Newcastle’s time is now — they are a “danger” for the top-flight’s established elite in both “the present and the future”.
Newcastle was to achieve their full potential through a gradual and organic process. A comfortable top-half finish, and a cup run were the public goals for this season. This was a solid foundation from which to build. Champions LeagueFuture qualifications
But, only a third of them are able to afford it. Premier LeagueWith fixtures complete, there are a lot of evidence that Newcastle could speed up the process. Dan Ashworth is their sporting director. has already stated that the club “has no ceiling” — and Jurgen Klopp, the LiverpoolManager already sees them as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain’s equals when it comes to their prospective power.
They were deserved to win 2-1 at Spurs. They were superior to Spurs PhysicalThey were both tactically and strategically well-prepared and displayed a cohesiveness and belief in their game plan that was simply unbeatable by the home team.
During Howe’s 11 months in charge, there have been some memorable victories but this was the most impressive. Newcastle deservedly downed a so-called Big Six side on their own turf — and not just any team but one who inflicted a humiliating 5-1 defeat on them just six months previously.
“I’ve got real pride in the players. In fact, the whole football club, really,” said Howe. “It was probably the best performance since I’ve been here.”
Newcastle’s players and staff celebrate in front of their travelling fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
It is up there with Newcastle’s best away displays in years. They have achieved memorable wins on the road, including at this ground for the first time, but they rarely look like an elite side.
After going toe-to-toe with Manchester City at St James’ before being cruelly denied a point in injury-time at Anfield, and then securing a deserved draw at Old Trafford earlier this month, Howe’s men have finally secured a top-six scalp, moving into the top four in the process.
Newcastle are not in a Premier League position as high since 2011, when they were fifth under Alan Pardew.
It is not the only positive omen., either.
Newcastle has lost one match in their top flight matches so far. In each of the past three seasons that Newcastle have recorded just a solitary defeat in their opening 12 Premier League matches — 1994-95, 1995-96 and 2011-12 — they have gone on to finish in the top six.
This calendar year, Newcastle have also claimed 59 points from 31 games — behind only Arsenal, Spurs, Manchester City and Liverpool — and they have been transformed from relegation fodder into a serious outfit, one who every opposition side now gives due respect to.
On October 24, they were 19th, without a win, and barely out of the Steve Bruce era. After 12 games in 2021-22 they were bottom, without a win, and six points from safety.
Now they are top of the Premier League’s form table, unbeaten in their past seven and boast the top flight’s best defensive record — Newcastle’s surge appears irresistible.
It is sustainable? It might be, but it may not. Who cares for the moment? Newcastle deserves to be where it is, and their fans are understandingably sad.
“The future is exciting because I still don’t feel we’re at 100 per cent yet,” Howe said. “We really believe we can achieve special things with this group but I’m very level, very calm, and the key is not to get carried away. We’ve achieved nothing yet and it’s about maintaining this consistency.”
European qualification is a real possibility.
Seven points from what Howe described as a “real tough examination” of a week is beyond what many supporters, and even those inside of the club, expected from these three matches.
This was not an ordinary scalp. It was the most vulnerable club to Newcastle’s nouveau-riches. Those inside Newcastle have long suggested that Daniel Levy, Spurs’ chairman, was among those who tried to oppose Newcastle’s takeover and this is precisely why.
Although Levy witnessed what Newcastle’s spending power can bring first-hand — the brilliant Bruno Guimaraes shone in midfield, despite having “two days without sleep” following the birth of his son Matteo on Friday, while Sven BotmanIn defense, he was uncompromising. The Tottenham chairman saw the importance of thorough, meticulous coaching. Fabian Schar, Joelinton Miguel Almiron, Who scored his fifth goal in five games?, have flourished in London under Howe.
Miggy can’t stop scoring! 🔥🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/YBYsnjOhOm
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 23, 2022
Don’t forget: Allan Saint-Maximinnor Alexander Isak, the club’s record signing, have been available in recent weeks, either. There is, in theory, far more to come from this Newcastle squad — and, if they want to, even despite Financial Fair Play concerns, they could yet invest further in January.
Let’s return to the original question: Is this design sustainable?
“I don’t know,” Howe replied, when asked by The AthleticIf he believes Newcastle can keep their top-four push. “All we can do is continue to give everything for success. The players are at a very good place. They have happiness and are together. We’ll just continue to give our all in every game.”
Although the present may seem too early for Newcastle, they can make the future theirs. The balance of power in the Premier League is shifting and the top six will become the top seven — it is now just a question of how quickly.
(Top photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images
