Paullow

Good luck to him and hope he does well there (and nothing to do with any potential activation clause stuff). We obviously overpaid, but we were definitely in a better position with him in the team than without, and while it was later more of a bit part role, our record since he joined was absolutely outstanding, and while fans will argue the extent, he definitely played some part.

Wood joined the Magpies from Burnley in January 2022 and helped Eddie Howe's side to move from the relegation places last season to an eventual 11th-placed finish - scoring vital goals in matches against Southampton and Fulham.

Cracking match, and a very satisfying result. Didn't see that coming at all at half time.

The key thing is while 2nd would look nice, and would be an unbelievable effort, the difference between finishing 2nd and 4th is effectively minimal - you haven't won the league, and you're in the Champions League, but the difference between finishing 4th and 5th is massive. Best result by some distance for us, and Spurs blowing a 2 goal lead helps as well because it will be demoralising.

Class!

Cracking match Gromit!

Get in again (if no VAR...)

Get in!

Fuck sake. City definitely off it recently.

That's defo the worst option, by far, but on the other hand, an away draw is very much a point gained for Spurs - I'd snap your hand off for a point when we go down there. I guess if City did draw then they would at least remain close to us for now, but I'd be amazed, like absolutely stunned, if they finished 5th or lower, so I don't think they are realistically a competitor for a top 4 place. I've also seen us finish 2nd twice and 3rd once (just about too young to remember our first season in the PL), so for me, while it would be very satisfying, there's not a massive difference between finishing 2nd or 4th this season, neither win the league but still get CL football, whereas the difference between finishing 4th to 5th will be felt a lot more, so I'd far rather keep an inferior team (to City) at bay as much as possible.

All hoping for a Man City home win tonight (vs Spurs)?

What a fucking hit!

Get in!

I know our GD is very good, but I'd certainly take a similar 0-1 win on Saturday. Whether it's still the Ashley/Bruce era playing with my mind, but I was expecting MU winning today, and if they didn't, it would be 2/3 points dropped, whereas I wouldn't be too disappointed with an away point on Saturday (ideally backed up with a home win vs West Ham).

I know, but that's another day, it doesn't really affect the match tonight, the one that he is working on. Obviously the club he plays for plays a massive part.

Christ, I know he'll be a big miss, but man, the commentator emphasised that Casemiro yellow as if it was a red / pen / goal.

It's not like wor Steve to lie or exaggerate mind!

55,000 screaming jawdees, marra, and another 10,000 locked out.

Quite looking forward to the Sunderland-Middlesbrough match on Sunday, I wouldn't mind Boro coming up this season to be honest, but I wonder if they were both in the same league (Championship) for the next 4 or 5 seasons, and we continue to push on and be an established top 6 club, whether in time, that will actually become 'the derby'. You'd assume no given the geographical closeness of Newcastle and Sunderland, plus the obvious poor feelings between the two sets of fans, and it is quite easy to dismiss Boro as 'not a derby' (whether right or wrong), but if it gets to stage of Newcastle never playing Sunderland for 11 or 12 years, and those two involved in some heated battles, then you never know - it's almost 7 years since we last played Sunderland (almost 13 since we played Boro).

Surprised that was only Pope's 3rd yellow of the season to be honest. I was thinking reaching 10 by the next cut off (if there is one), and a possible 2 match ban, would have been a possibility, but should be OK.

To be fair, the Bruno magic chant, especially earlier on, it was always 'when we win the Premiership...'

Kind of mixed on there. I guess those a little older will be more inclined to go for the cup, although I guess you could argue that finishing 4th could spearhead greater trophy success in the near future.

They're not mutually exclusive and of course we can do both - we're favourites for the top 4 and favourites to make the final in the cup where it will be a one off game, but the question is more what would you value more if only one was available, like an opportunity cost scenario - which would you rather sacrifice if only one was possible, hypothetically. I'd rather win the League Cup if only one of them was to be achieved this season.

That's kind of what the odds say: https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/top-4-finish We have a bit of a cushion and are as short as 4/6 at places, but possibly the Ashley effect, or that our squad depth is so small, I still don't really see us as favourites for it. I'm still saying top 6 is fine, and anything else, especially CL, is a massive bonus. I won't feel like we have 'blown it' if we do get pipped towards the end of the season.

First time Arsenal have been betting favourites for the title this season (and in years). Good stuff. Hopefully Man City do the same on Thursday evening.