Premier League

NEWCASTLE’S Saudi owners are in a hurry for world domination – and Eddie Howe has it all to prove that he can be their Sir Alex Ferguson.Co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi has claimed Howe can be their Fergie but Toon boss Howe now just has a battle on to stop the nearly-man tag sticking.
For now Eddie Howe is just battling to avoid four straight defeatsCredit: Rex
Newcastle’s season is in danger of falling apart after being dumped out of Europe by AC Milan on Wednesday.
Injuries, fatigue and Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban all carry weight as excuses but, rightly or wrongly, Howe has it all to do to show his ruthlessly ambitious paymasters that he can take them to the next level.
As harsh as that sounds given what he has achieved on Tyneside, football is ruthless and waits for nobody.
Newcastle have made a habit of riding storms under Howe yet there are potential banana skins everywhere you look on the horizon.
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The first one comes from in-form Fulham at home on Saturday – and you can guarantee the Toon Army won’t be clapping their side off like they did after Milan on Wednesday if the Cottagers make it four straight defeats.
Howe knows the pressure is unrelenting, insisting “I don’t want a hangover” from their early exit from the Champions League party.
Yet there are still reasons for positivity with a trip to Chelsea on Tuesday and a golden chance to reach a Carabao Cup semi-final for the second season on the bounce having suffered further heartbreak in the final to Manchester United in February.
Lose that, however, and it could be a much darker January on Tyneside than usual.
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On there being doubts over whether the Saudis will show patience if Newcastle’s poor form continues, returning defender Dan Burn said: “I don’t agree if people are saying that.
“If you have a bit of perspective on how far we’ve come in a short space of time, we’ve gone very well.
“Internally we don’t panic, we believe in the gaffer’s philosophy.
“We understand we’re going through a tough period but the season is not over.
“We have fewer games after Christmas now which could help. We’re still in the League Cup and we’d love to go one better and win it this year.
“We’ve bounced back before and we’ll do it again.”
Finishing bottom of the ‘Group of Death’ is no embarrassment – they provided a night for the ages in demolishing PSG at home before a shocking last-minute penalty denied them a famous win in Paris.
But the Geordies, seven points off fourth in the Prem, have to pick themselves up off the canvas to make sure there is no nightmare before Christmas.
And even if they get through the festive fixtures – with Luton and Nottingham Forest also to come – all roads lead to a potentially defining January on and off the pitch.
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If Liverpool away and the visit of Manchester City to kick off 2024 isn’t bad enough, how about the small matter of mortal enemies Sunderland in the FA Cup sandwiched in between.
Howe needs to go into the derby under serious pressure like a hole in the head.
Yet there is no doubt he will be the man to spend the cash in January.
Howe revealed recently that Newcastle did not plan to spend in the transfer window up until £55million summer signing Tonali was suspended until next season for betting breaches.
With no more Europe, and the treatment room starting to empty at last – though key men Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon hobbled off against Milan – there is no need for anything drastic as they chase a Champions League spot.
But back-up keeper Martin Dubravka has flopped since replacing the injured Nick Pope, and Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips remains a top target to plug the midfield gap.
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Three straight defeats, and five in their last eight, does not leave Howe in any immediate danger.
Yet while the Saudi billions ensure Newcastle’s time in Europe will come again, he needs to bring that feel-good factor back quickly to ensure he’s still at the helm. More

ERIK TEN HAG is confident he will be given time to present his vision for the future to Manchester United’s new regime.The Dutch boss expects to get the chance to impress incoming investor Jim Ratcliffe to outline how he plans to overhaul the squad at United in the summer – which is likely to involve another big clear out.
Erik ten Hag is confident he won’t be sacked before a meeting with the new Man Utd brassCredit: Getty
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to buy a 25 per cent stake in the Red DevilsCredit: Alamy
Ten Hag is feeling the heat at Old Trafford after a dismal Champions League campaign which saw them finish bottom of the group.
And things could get worse if his team lose badly again at bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday, where they lost 7-0 last year.
SunSport revealed yesterday that ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter has been contacted by Ratcliffe and is widely admired by his Ineos team.
Their £1.25bn investment into the club is due to be confirmed shortly but even then it could take up to six weeks to be fully rubber-stamped and agreed with the current Glazer ownership.
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And SunSport understands Ten Hag’s first meetings would almost certainly be with director of sport Dave Brailsford – rather than Ratcliffe himself.
Any head-to-heads with the main man would come further down the line — if he is still the manager.
Despite his optimism, the 53-year-old will be aware results need to improve if the new men are to give him their trust.
For now, club sources say they remain firmly behind the current boss – despite a worrying first half of the season which has seen them lose half of their 24 games.
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Graham Potter has been contacted as a potential replacement for Ten HagCredit: PA
The likes of Anthony Martial, who is out of contract in the summer, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia are among players it is believed Ten Hag would be willing to offload to start the overhaul of the squad.
The lengthy injury list is seen as a big factor behind the poor results – while the ongoing takeover talk has also been a distraction.
Off-field problems involving Mason Greenwood, Antony and Jadon Sancho have not helped either.
Even so, it has been a nightmare week for ten Hag with a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth followed by another loss to Bayern Munich.
That meant they recorded their worst-ever group stage performance in the Champions League and failed to even salvage a Europa League spot.  More

JOE WILLOCK told Arsenal players the ball went out of play in the build-up to Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal.The Newcastle winger scored the winner as his side beat the Gunners at St James’ Park on November 4.
Joe Willock told Arsenal players the ball had gone out in the build-up to Anthony Gordon’s goalCredit: Alamy
His strike was only awarded after a four-minute VAR check on three possible infringements.
Those included whether Willock had kept the ball in play before crossing it into the box.
Mikel Arteta slammed the match officials after the match, branding the decision to award the goal “a disgrace”.
He was subsequently charged by the FA for his comments, but has now escaped punishment after those charges were dropped.
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An investigation into the incident has also revealed Willock told the Arsenal players the ball had gone out.
The Newcastle man had slid to keep it in play before his cross was knocked down by Joelinton for Gordon to score.
It is understood that the Arsenal players then told Arteta that Willock had admitted to failing to keep the ball in play.
This then increased what the Gunners boss described as his “sense of injustice and frustration”.
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Mikel Arteta escaped FA punishment for his post-match rantCredit: Getty
Arteta had already been angered by the decision not to rule the goal out for offside or a foul by Joelinton after the lengthy VAR check.
Willock spent 17 years with Arsenal prior to his move to Newcastle in 2021.
After coming through the club’s academy, the midfielder scored 11 goals in 78 first-team appearances for the Gunners. More