NUFCs 2024 Wrapped: Memorable Moments & More 🎉

PLUS: Everything you need to know ahead of a massive week for the Mags in London 🏆

January 01, 2025

👋 A Christmas miracle!? We haven't lost a single game during the Christmas period - something that has not happened very often in my memory.

From top team performances to individual brilliance, there’s plenty to celebrate from 2024 - here’s a look back at another impressive year for the Magpies.

In this weeks Pitch Notes 👇

  • 📊 A 2024 season review - key matches, memorable moments & more.

  • 🏆 Everything you need to know ahead of a massive week for the Mags in London.

  • 💰 Gordon and Isak address transfer speculation over reported big-money moves.

🗓️ ON THIS DAY

On this day in 2003, Newcastle kicked off the new year with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at St. James' Park, thanks to a stunning 13th-minute free-kick from Laurent Robert.

The Frenchman’s left-footed strike, awarded after a foul on Shearer, was enough to secure the win in a tightly contested match.

📣 THE MAIN STORY

Magpie’ Season Review: Key Matches, Memorable Moments & Europe Within Reach 📈

We end 2024 sitting in 5th place, with our hopes of European football very much alive and our sights firmly set on securing Champions League football.

Just 3 points shy of the top four, Newcastle finished the year with a 53% win rate, an improvement from 46% in 2023.

Over the course of the year, we won 45 matches, drew 24, and lost only 12 - a testament to the team's excellent defensive consistency.

Ending the year with a 5-game win streak in all competitions & one of the best Christmas periods in a long time, we’re heading into 2025 with some serious momentum.

Player Spotlight: The Swedish Goal Scoring Machine ⚽

Alexander Isak has been nothing short of phenomenal in 2024.

The striker ends the year with an incredible 28 goals in all competitions, including a remarkable streak of scoring in 5 consecutive Premier League games to close out the year.

To put this into perspective - that’s 18 MORE goals than second place Anthony Gordon scored - with a total of 10.

Isak’s clinical finishing and consistent performances have been vital to some of our top performances this season - a strong contender for player of the year.

Key Matches & Memorable Moments 🏆

2024 has ad it’s fair share of memorable moments and big results - here are some of the highlights:

  • 🏆 "Big Six" Dominance: Wins over 4 of the "big six" showed our growing strength as a top-tier side. Narrow draws against Liverpool and Manchester City were hard-fought battles that showcased our potential.

  • ⚽ Isak's Historic Year: Alexander Isak ended 2024 with 25 Premier League goals in a single calendar year, second only to Alan Shearer's 27 in 2002.

  • 🔙 Sandro Tonali's Redemption: Sandro Tonali's return was a heart-warming moment, made even better by his fantastic recent performances. Tonali appears to have won over the fans and proved pivotal in midfield.

  • 🏁 Derby Day Returns: A dominant 3-0 victory over Sunderland marked our first derby win over our rivals since 2011 to secure the bragging rights - then the Lasses did the same!

  • 😤 Arteta's Meltdown 2.0: For the second consecutive year, we secured a 1-0 home win over Arsenal - triggering another glorious Arteta tantrum at St. James' Park.

With a 5-game win streak to build on, a cup semi-final around the corner and the possibility of European football well within reach.

We seem to find ourselves in a surprisingly promising position heading into 2025.

🤔 WHO AM I?

“I’m a Dutch goalkeeper who spent over a decade at Newcastle United. I’m best known for my shot-stopping ability and once made headlines for my penalty-saving heroics in a World Cup.”

Read to the end to find the answer.

⏩ THE WEEK AHEAD

Kicking Off the New Year with a London Double ⚔️

The new year begins with two huge challenges for Newcastle, starting with a Premier League clash against Tottenham.

The Magpies will be confident, having won four of their last five league meetings with Spurs, including a 2-1 victory at St. James’ Park earlier this season.

While Tottenham are winless in their last five home games - Newcastle will need to overcome their own poor record in opening matches of the year, with just one win in their last 12 attempts.

Then, attention shifts to Tuesday evening and a massive Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Newcastle will look to take a crucial advantage back to St. James’ Park for the second leg in February.

It’s their first meeting with Arsenal away this season, and memories of last season’s 4-1 defeat will still linger.

We’ll also be keeping an eye on Sven Botman’s potential return to action over the coming weeks, though no updates have been confirmed yet.

📰 IN OTHER NEWS

  • 🏆 Gordon’s Trophy Promise: Anthony Gordon has emphasised his commitment to staying at Newcastle, stating, "I’ve got a long contract here and I intend to see that out. I have got no plans of leaving. I am here to win a trophy".

  • 💰 Isak on Exit Rumours: Alexander Isak has dismissed speculation about a £150m transfer fee amid links to Arsenal and Liverpool, saying, "It doesn’t really faze me too much. I’m in the middle of the season and I think it’s going really well for me and the team, so all my focus is here".

  • 🔄 Almiron Interest: 30-year-old Miggy looks like a likely candidate to leave in January. Currently valued at around £8m, clubs, including Mexican side Cruz Azul, are reportedly interested, with the transfer window just around the corner.

👋 Thanks for reading, thats all for this week - you can catch up on anything you might have missed over on our website. 

P.S. The answer to “who am I” is our adopted Geordie Dutchman, Tim Krul.