Two big returns, Osula and a touching tribute - Five takeaways from Newcastle 3-0 Ipswich
Five Takeaways from Newcastle 3-0 Ipswich:
Newcastle United moved up into 3rd place in the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon with a professional victory over Ipswich Town, condemning the Tractor Boys to relegation in the process.
The 3-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of a game which threatened to frustrate early on, but ultimately resulted in a comfortable home win for the eleventh time this season. Alexander Isak (pen), Dan Burn and Will Oscula were the goal scorers on the day - with the Dane’s first Premier League strike being the highlight of the three.
Here are our five key takeaways from the game:
- There’s only one Bobby Robson
Not to be overly sentimental but when Ipswich come to town thoughts can’t help but turn to Bobby and how much he would be enjoying United’s renaissance under Eddie Howe. Both sets of supporters hold the legendary manager in the highest regard and he was given his due serenade and celebration as both sets of fans sung his name during the second half, especially poignant with one set of fans seeing their team relegated on the day.
Not many men can inspire that sort of love across footballing divides and rivalries - with Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Porto, and Sporting Lisbon fans all being able to say the same thing about a man who truly lived football and represented his clubs, the northeast and his country with the highest aplomb.
- United will finish 4th?
With the 4th best home record and the 4th best away record, it’s safe to say United will more than likely repeat the 2022/23 feat of finishing in 4th place in the league table - something which will be another overachievement for a side with the seventh or eight biggest wage bill in the division.
The win also, brilliantly, restores the five point cushion over Villa in fifth place essentially wiping last weekends poor defeat out of any consequence, as they were also, deliciously, dumped out of the FA Cup by Palace on the afternoon - in what is sure to be a blow to their confidence and may hamper their pursuit of Champions League football to United’s benefit.
Forest are the ones to watch though, they will have a game in hand to be played this week against Brentford at home, if they win it, they will retake 3rd with a favourable set of remaining fixtures to come - so I’m calling it now, Newcastle United will finish 4th.
- The Return of Eddie Howe (& Sven Botman)
It was excellent to see Eddie Howe return to his prematch media duties on Friday and it was another shot in the arm to see him back in the dugout on Saturday. United really missed him last weekend when his football brain and ability to change things from the bench (something he has gotten much better at this season) were sorely missing in the Villa thrashing.
Pneumonia is a brutal illness and keen touchline watchers would’ve clocked that Eddie was a little more reserved than usual (he even sat down on the bench for extended periods), leaving things to Jason Tindall at times, but his influence over this side is undeniable - something which Dan Burn talked about post-match.
Howe will be vital to the final four games of the season and it was a pleasure to welcome the gaffer back to the fold on Saturday after a difficult illness.
Similarly it was another great moment to see Sven Botman return to first team action with a 10 minute cameo. If he can get back to anywhere near his best levels he elevates this team again - a side who’ve won a trophy and are (surely) going to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons?
- A goal 33 games in the making
Will Osula’s first goal for Newcastle was memorable - a venomous strike against Bromley from the edge of the area in the FA Cup 3rd round and his first Premier League goal was equally memorable too, as he leapt highest to loop a header into the top right hand corner of the Gallowgate End net from a Trippier corner.
A long time coming, that was the Dane’s 33rd Premier League appearance before he finally found the net. It was a special moment for the lad; who is already a bit of a cult hero, and someone who despite being raw as steak tartar, perhaps should’ve been getting more game time, especially ahead of a clearly-fading-at-the-top-
He celebrated with the relevant gusto and the entire squad seems delighted for him. Osula’s future is perhaps a little unclear but he will always have that moment with the fans at the Gallowgate End - and that will be priceless for him and, hopefully, a huge boost to his confidence too.
- All hinges on Chelsea?
First things first - the fact that the Chelsea game is a 12 o’clock kick off on a Sunday is a joke. Screw you TNT Sports (and yes, Chelsea still being in the Conference League), a massive conspiracy nerd would call it exactly that with the ability to make it a radgey atmosphere limited by the lack of available lubrication prematch, awful travel options and a the continued general lack of regard for match going fans.
All that aside; if Newcastle can beat Chelsea in two weeks time, qualification for the Champions League will be all but secured, even if we were to lose to Brighton next weekend. Then we can strap in for what will surely be a blockbuster summer transfer window post-June once a £70m PSR loss drops off Untied’s rolling three year financial accounting period - sexy stuff eh… It’s what Ruud Guillet meant all those years ago…
Three first team signings for me would see this team challenging for footballs biggest prizes (a CB, a RW and a CM/DM - with a backup striker thrown in too for what it’s worth). If we do that this summer I may just be off to the bookies to put a Leicester City 2015/16 style bet on.
Keep the faith. HWTL
