Newcastle eye record UCL win as Botman boosts Qarabag second leg
Fans’ XI for Qarabag leans on rotation: Ramsdale, Burn, Ramsey, Alex Murphy, Botman, Joelinton, Willock, Jacob Murphy, Osula, Sean Neave, Leo Shahar. Injuries to Livramento, Schar, Krafth, Miley, Bruno. Thiaw is suspended.
Gordon’s Champions League scoring and Qarabag haul highlight Newcastle’s European swagger, but Howe admits they are better out of possession and may need a calmer, possession style to progress domestically.
Howe expects Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa to return pending tests for Qarabag at St James’ Park. Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley, Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar remain out. Newcastle lead 6-1.
Jacob Murphy reflects on his ‘2.0’ resurgence after a 2019/20 Sheffield Wednesday loan, celebrates his first Champions League goal vs Qarabag and reaches 250 Newcastle appearances as he targets the last 16.
Report claims Newcastle would only sell Nick Woltemade if he requests a move. The club are not seeking offers despite his dip after a bright start. Eddie Howe says he is ‘really, really happy’ at Newcastle.
Newcastle’s cups impress but league form lags. Sitting 12th on 36 points, fans eye a surge with Everton, Man U and Chelsea next, believing a run could revive Champions League hopes.
Newcastle carry a 6-1 lead into the second leg, chasing a club-record sixth UCL win. Malick Thiaw is suspended. Sven Botman, Yoane Wissa and Lewis Miley will be assessed before kick-off. Qarabag miss Bahlul Mustafazada after an adductor injury.
Newcastle insist Anthony Gordon is not for sale despite Arsenal interest, with talkSPORT saying the club have ‘no plans’ to sell. Gordon’s league return is modest but Newcastle plan to keep him.
Troy Deeney names Lewis Hall in his team of the week after a standout display at Man City, praising his ‘brilliant’ form and tipping the Newcastle left-back for England contention.
