Newcastle United fans were still singing long after the final whistle following a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal and the Magpies will need that support against Everton on the final day
Perspective. It was not lost at the stadium where Newcastle United planted a black-and-white flag just a few months ago on the way to winning a first major domestic trophy in 70 years.
Geordies were, obviously, not singing about how they did not want to go home this time, but it was rather telling that they stayed behind long after the final whistle at the Emirates once again on Sunday. The public address system was deafening, as ‘when the rhythm starts to play’ blasted out, but the away end could still be heard following the visitors’ 1-0 defeat against Arsenal.
“Who’s that team we call United?” Newcastle fans repeatedly roared. “Who’s that team we all adore? Oh we play in black and white and we all know how to fight – we’ll support you ever more.”
That support will certainly be needed against Everton on Sunday as the race for Champions League qualification goes to the final day. Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa are all level on points. Nottingham Forest are only a point behind the Magpies. Manchester City still have the chance to leapfrog Eddie Howe’s side into third before their last game.
However, Newcastle remain the masters of their own destiny and the black-and-whites know that a win against Everton at St James’ Park secures a seat at Europe’s top table no matter what happens elsewhere. It’s a position Newcastle would have taken a week or so ago – let alone at the start of the season.
“We know what we have to do,” Howe told reporters. “It’s not going to be easy, but our home form has been strong. We’ve really enjoyed playing there. The players are used to big games. There will be none bigger than this and I’m sure the Newcastle supporters will make it an unbelievable atmosphere for us.”
Wor Flags have already got ‘something pretty exciting planned’ for Sunday and Dan Burn knows that ‘everyone will be fired up and ready to go’. “We get the job done next week,” the Newcastle defender vowed to NUFC TV.
Burn was speaking with justified belief. Not only because of Newcastle’s experience in these situations, after getting over the line a couple of seasons ago, but, also, because of the Magpies’ home form. You have to go back to February 1 for the last time Newcastle dropped points at St James’. Since that defeat against Fulham, the black-and-whites have won six league games in a row on their own turf by an aggregate scoreline of 20-5.
Newcastle also face an Everton side fresh from an emotional send-off at Goodison Park, who will finish 13th regardless of Sunday’s result, who are without their first-choice centre-backs. However, given the manner in which Everton have fought under David Moyes – even since pulling clear of danger several months ago – there is no danger of Newcastle taking the Toffees lightly. In truth, they can’t afford to.
How Newcastle will hope to have Alexander Isak leading the line at the weekend. Isak travelled down to London, but the club’s top scorer had to sit the Arsenal defeat out with a minor groin issue. Isak has not looked his absolute menacing best in recent weeks, but you suspect the calm striker would have relished getting on the end of the flurry of chances Newcastle created in the early stages against Arsenal.
It certainly did not take Newcastle long to test David Raya. There were just six minutes on the clock when the Arsenal ‘keeper hit a clearance straight to Sandro Tonali and the Italy international quickly slid the ball through to Callum Wilson. The Newcastle veteran took a touch inside the box and laid the ball off for Bruno Guimaraes, whose shot was parried by David Raya. Not only did Raya make the initial save – the Arsenal number one then clawed the ball away as Harvey Barnes looked to knock in the rebound.
