Newcastle United are absolutely flying right now.
Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side can surely start dreaming about Champions League qualification after they thrashed Manchester United in their final game of 2024.
Newcastle put the Red Devils to the sword at Old Trafford, reclaiming fifth place in the Premier League table with a 2-0 victory.
As bad as their hosts were, Newcastle came rushing out the traps.
Early goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton but them in cruise control on a night in which they really could and should have scored more.
While the focus should be on Newcastle, however, it is difficult to ignore one particular flashpoint in the first-half.
Ruben Amorim hauled summer signing Joshua Zirkzee off well before half-time and home supporters appeared to have cheered the decision.
Gary Neville expressed sympathy for the Dutchman on commentary and it’s easy to see why. That cannot have been a nice experience.
Interestingly, Newcastle star Anthony Gordon looked to have extended a classy gesture to the forward.
What Anthony Gordon did as Joshua Zirkzee was hauled off for Manchester United
Gordon was stood close to Zirkzee as he made what must have been an incredibly lonely walk towards the touchline to be replaced by Kobbie Mainoo.
As is shown in the clip below, the England forward appears to pat the Dutchman on the back as he trundles off to show at least some support.
Newcastle United are in dreamland again
Fifth could well be enough to secure Champions League football next season and Newcastle look to be on course to at least compete for it.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 5 |  Man CityManchester City | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 32 | 26 | 6 | 31 |
| 6 |  B’mouthBournemouth | 19 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 23 | 6 | 30 |
| 7 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 21 | 9 | 29 |
| 8 |  FulhamFulham | 19 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 28 | 25 | 3 | 29 |
When the Newcastle United manager questioned his players following the defeat at Brentford only a few weeks ago, that would have felt an awful long way off.
With Tottenham struggling on the fitness front ahead of the trip to north London this weekend, optimism is very high for Newcastle.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
