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Newcastle United’s transformation since their Saudi-backed takeover in October 2021 has been not possible to disregard.

As soon as a membership targeted on survival, they now count on to problem the Premier League’s elite. Nonetheless, their document towards the standard Huge Six highlights a crew nonetheless on the rise relatively than one which has absolutely arrived.

Earlier than Eddie Howe’s arrival, Newcastle’s conferences with the division’s prime golf equipment hardly ever ended nicely. With out a clear tactical id or squad depth, they struggled to compete. When Howe took cost in November 2021, the hole was evident.

Within the the rest of that season, Newcastle misplaced seven of 9 Huge Six encounters, with their solely win coming in Could 2022 — a 2-0 dwelling victory over Arsenal that derailed the Gunners’ top-four hopes.

The 2022-23 marketing campaign marked a turning level. With a full pre-season underneath Howe and good recruitment, Newcastle grew to become a far harder proposition.

They pissed off Arsenal in a goalless draw on the Emirates, secured an important 2-0 win over Manchester United at St James’ Park and pulled off a 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

By the tip of the season, that they had performed 12 league video games towards the Huge Six, profitable 5, drawing three and dropping 4. That enchancment performed a significant position of their top-four end, securing a return to the Champions League for the primary time in twenty years.

Nonetheless, sure opponents have remained troublesome hurdles to beat. Their document towards Manchester Metropolis has been blended. In Howe’s first season, Newcastle suffered 4-0 and 5-0 defeats, however an exciting 3-3 draw at St James’ Park in August 2022 recommended they have been closing the hole.

Extra not too long ago, they’ve held Metropolis to a 1-1 draw at dwelling but additionally suffered slim defeats, with a 4-0 thrashing on the Etihad in February 2025 reinforcing the gulf that also exists.Manchester United have additionally confirmed a tricky problem.

Newcastle’s first win on this fixture got here in April 2023 with a 2-0 triumph at St James’ Park, adopted by a 1-0 dwelling victory in December that yr. Nonetheless, a 3-2 defeat at Previous Trafford in Could 2024 and a 2-0 loss at dwelling in December 2024 confirmed there may be nonetheless work to do.

Liverpool have been a fair better stumbling block. Newcastle haven’t crushed the Reds within the league because the takeover, struggling 5 straight defeats earlier than lastly ending the streak with a dramatic 3-3 draw at St James’ Park in December 2024.

Earlier than that, they endured heartbreak at Anfield in August 2022 when Alexander Isak’s first-half aim gave them the lead, just for Liverpool to equalise within the 61st minute and snatch a 98th-minute winner.

Their subsequent assembly at St James’ Park in February 2023 led to a 2-0 defeat, and the next season noticed one other irritating loss in August 2023 — Anthony Gordon opened the scoring, however Newcastle conceded twice late on.

The 4-2 defeat at Anfield in January 2024 continued the development, earlier than their lengthy watch for a constructive consequence ended with December’s dwelling draw. Nonetheless, a 2-0 loss at Anfield in February 2025 was one other reminder of how troublesome this fixture stays.

Encouraging indicators have emerged towards Tottenham, the place the tide seems to be turning. After two heavy defeats early in Howe’s tenure, Newcastle have now gained 4 straight league conferences with Spurs.

The 6-1 thrashing in April 2023 was an announcement consequence, however the newer wins — 4-0 in April 2024, 2-1 at dwelling in September 2024 and one other 2-1 victory in North London this January — counsel a shift within the stability of energy.

This season has produced blended outcomes. A 1-0 victory over Arsenal in November was an announcement win, but setbacks towards Chelsea and Manchester United have prevented them from really asserting themselves.

Nonetheless, the numbers underline Newcastle’s progress. Of their last full season earlier than the takeover, they did not win a single sport towards the Huge Six. Since then, they’ve gained not less than three per season, with key victories over Tottenham dwelling and away this time period.

The problem now’s consistency. Newcastle have proven they will compete with one of the best, however to really be part of the elite, they need to make beating the Huge Six a behavior relatively than an occasional triumph. The journey is way from over, however the progress is simple.