Newcastle v West Ham: Team newspublished at 16:34 BST 17 May
16:34 BST 17 May
Kieran Trippier makes his final start for Newcastle United at St James' Park against relegation-threatened West Ham.
The defender, who is leaving the club this summer, following the expiry of his contract, has been recalled for Newcastle's last home game of the campaign.
Jacob Ramsey and Harvey Barnes also come back in as head coach Eddie Howe makes three changes to the side who drew at Nottingham Forest last week.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Leeds v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v West Ham", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle United v West Hampublished at 11:02 BST 17 May
11:02 BST 17 May
I don't feel sorry for West Ham after their defeat by Arsenal last week.
It was a foul on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya for their goal which was disallowed, and the fact they are in the relegation zone is because of the way they have played all season.
Now this is an enormous game for the Hammers, and it is an absolutely 'must-win' for them.
Newcastle were very poor when they lost at London Stadium in November and you wouldn't say they are in much better form at the moment.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe realises the importance of finishing the season strongly for his own future, and I don't see his side losing this.
West Ham will be absolutely desperate to get the win, but I am going for a draw and, if anyone does win it, it will be Newcastle.
Newcastle United v West Ham United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:18 BST 16 May
12:18 BST 16 May
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (17:30 GMT), with West Ham needing a win to move out of the relegation zone.
Newcastle's draw at Nottingham Forest last weekend followed a frustratingly familiar script. Harvey Barnes' 74th-minute strike put them ahead at the City Ground but former Magpie Elliot Anderson equalised with just two minutes remaining.
Eddie Howe's team have now dropped 27 points from winning positions this term, at least seven more than any other Premier League side, while their total of 20 goals conceded from the 75th minute onwards is also the highest figure in the top flight.
Magpies' mediocre home form
This is Newcastle's final home game of the season and it appears increasingly doubtful the Toon Army will see reported Bayern Munich target Anthony Gordon in a black and white shirt again. Howe admitted on Friday that the winger is not being picked "with a partial view to the future".
The head coach also stressed it is important Newcastle "finish the season with a positive feeling". Strong home form has been the foundation of the Magpies' improvement under Howe but there has been a noticeable drop-off in the current campaign.
They are averaging 1.61 points per game at St James' Park, comfortably lower than in any of his previous full seasons in charge, losing seven times. The last time they lost as many as eight league matches at St James' Park was in 2020-21, under Steve Bruce.
Wasteful finishing hurting Hammers
West Ham felt aggrieved that VAR denied them an equaliser in Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal, with the Hammers finishing empty handed in a game they could conceivably have won. Mateus Fernandes missed a golden chance to put his side ahead in the 78th minute, with his close-range shot saved by David Raya.
As a result, they trail relegation rivals Tottenham by two points with two games remaining. But with Spurs' match against Chelsea not until Tuesday, Nuno Espirito Santo's side can move out of the relegation zone – and pile pressure on their London rivals – with a win on Tyneside.
The Hammers' form has picked up notably in the second half of the season but they continue to find goals hard to come by, failing to score in four of their previous six league games.
That includes each of their past three away matches, during which they have attempted 31 shots, hitting the woodwork four times.
The last time West Ham failed to score in four consecutive away league fixtures was 11 years ago. Coincidentally, the fourth game in that streak was a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle in May 2015.
The Hammers have to win to guarantee their fate is settled on the final day. Otherwise a midweek victory for Spurs would end their 14-year stay in the top flight.
'Somewhere I've been really proud to call home' - Krafth leaving Newcastlepublished at 10:50 BST 16 May
10:50 BST 16 May
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Emil Krafth believes the future is "really bright" for Newcastle United as the defender's seven-year stay at the club comes to an end.
Newcastle have announced, as expected, that Krafth will be leaving when his contract expires this summer.
The Swede, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, will be given the chance to bid farewell to supporters at a half-time presentation during Sunday's game against West Ham at St James' Park.
"Newcastle is somewhere I've been really proud to call home," he said.
"I've had up and down moments on a personal level, and some difficult times with injury, but I've always felt such brilliant support from the fans, my team-mates, the coaching staff and everybody connected to the club.
"This is something I will remember forever and want to say a massive thank you for.
"It's been a privilege to wear the shirt and especially to play a part in a team that has managed to make history in the past few years. I believe the future is really bright for this club and I'll be following the journey closely and continuing to support from a distance."
Krafth is one of Newcastle's current longest-serving players and played an important role in helping them pull away from relegation danger after fellow right-back Kieran Trippier broke his foot in 2022.
He also featured in five of Newcastle's seven League Cup games, including the final win over Liverpool, as Eddie Howe's side ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy last season.
Although his game time has been limited by injury in recent years, Krafth has remained a valued figure around the training ground by Howe and his staff.
Howe said the 31-year-old "embodied what it means to be a Newcastle United player on and off the pitch".
"Emil can be really proud of everything he has achieved here," he added.
"He's been a big part of our success over the past few seasons and, although he's been unfortunate with injury of late, he's played a valuable role behind the scenes with his positive mentality and outstanding professionalism."
Trippier 'deserving of recognition' on Sunday - Howepublished at 07:48 BST 16 May
07:48 BST 16 May
Image source, Getty Images
Kieran Trippier's impressive Newcastle career is coming to an end and Sunday will be his final match at St James' Park.
The right-back, who joined from Atletico Madrid in January 2022, is widely considered as one of the club's most important signings after playing a crucial role in their resurgence under Eddie Howe.
And for that reason, supporters are set to give the 35-year-old a proper farewell against West Ham in the final home game of the season.
"He's definitely deserving of the recognition," said Howe. "His actual decision to come here in the first place needs to be celebrated because he came from a team that was hugely successful in Spain to a team under renovation in the Premier League.
"Everyone said it was financially motivated initially, but I can tell you it wasn't. It was a host of reasons – only he can discuss them – but financial certainly wasn't one of them.
"He wanted to take the fight on, and I'm so pleased for him that it was rewarded. We stayed up and he's never looked back.
"The next season he played an unbelievable part in our run for the Champions League and was pivotal in the magnificent back four we had that year.
"That's probably my biggest memory of him, other than Carabao Cup final day when I thought he was magnificent.
"It was a gigantic performance, and he got the feeling of lifting the cup with Bruno Guimaraes and Jamaal Lascelles."
Speed is key once again for Newcastle in transfer marketpublished at 16:27 BST 15 May
16:27 BST 15 May
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe drove home the importance of "speed being key" before the transfer window even opened last summer.
But it ended up proving the most turbulent window in the club's recent history after Newcastle missed out on a host of first-choice targets, lost Alexander Isak to Liverpool and made the bulk of signings in the final weeks of the summer.
This upcoming window is not about to be straightforward, either, but Howe stressed on Friday it "has to be different" as he reiterated the importance of the club "moving quickly".
"You will find the best players that are available on the market won't hang around for too long," he said.
"The speed at which the transfer market moves now is very quick. Teams are very efficient and we have to be there as one of those teams."
Howe will at least be able to fall back on the support of sporting director Ross Wilson and chief executive David Hopkinson, which he feels will enable Newcastle to make quicker and smarter decisions, after the club operated without an executive structure last summer.
With doubts surrounding the futures of a number of key players, including Anthony Gordon, Newcastle are going to have to be clever to rebuild effectively, particularly without Champions League football or the superior wage bills of those sides at the top of the Premier League.
"We had Champions League football and finances last year, and it was still very difficult to attract the players that we wanted, who we felt could really make a difference to the team," Howe said.
"I certainly don't think that challenge is going to be easier – it's going to be harder – but the lure of Champions League football was not all-defining for us, so there's a balance to it."
Howe on team fitness, Gordon's future and summer planspublished at 10:45 BST 15 May
10:45 BST 15 May
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against West Ham at St James' Park (kick-off 17:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Lewis Hall has trained all week and is available, but Joelinton is a doubt because of a "slight thigh problem". He will be assessed again before Sunday's game.
Howe confirmed Fabian Schar is unlikely to return this season and said "it is a real shame". On the defender being out of contract this summer, Howe added: "He's still got a lot to offer on the pitch. His quality is still there but he's had a difficult season. I will have discussions with him and his representatives in the next week."
He described the final home game of the season as "massive" and "really important" because they need to "finish this season with a positive feeling".
On putting a run together to finish on a high: "We're going in the right direction. We have to build momentum and confidence in what we're doing. The players will take this game, and the next, into the summer with them."
He said they are "not blindly going from game to game with no thought of what's gone on" in recent months, but they have now got "an eye" on next season.
More on looking ahead: "At this stage of the season, you've always got an eye on the future. We're going into a transfer window with a lot of unknowns for us. There will be a feeling of change this summer, I'm sure. We need to give players opportunities and try things for the future with a view for next season."
Howe said had "no update" to give on Anthony Gordon's rumoured departure to Bayern Munich but again addressed why he hasn't played since returning from injury: "He's just come back and I think the team has played well in his absence. But it's with a partial view for the future, yes."
He said they are "certainly not at the moment" looking for a striker in this summer window, but acknowledged "there's still work to do" to improve that department. He added: "We've got to bring it all together and try to make it work."
On clubs like West Ham and Tottenham being in a relegation battle: "The beauty of this year's Premier League is that it has been very unpredictable. Big teams with big history have struggled, while some of the smaller clubs in name have done really well. I think that's down to multi-factors. It's a great thing for the Premier League."
He said "he challenge is there for every club" and "you have to keep improving and evolving to stay with the competition" or you will find yourself near the bottom of the table.
Which of Newcastle's new players will come good? Who should move on?published at 09:10 BST 15 May
09:10 BST 15 May
Media caption,
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson believes some of the four summer signings made last year could be moved on when the next transfer window opens.
Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga all joined Newcastle last summer, and have all yet to break into the first-team with regular game time.
So which of the new players will come good next season and who will be looking for another club?
"It's going to be an interesting summer," said Anderson. "Wissa possibly. I don't think he will get rid of Elanga or Ramsey.
"Ramsey is unfortunate because Howe is always going to go with Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in the middle of the park," said Anderson. "Wissa we basically haven't seen because of the injuries he picked up.
"Woltemade had a great start to his time here, scored lots of goals, but then got moved from pillar-to-post being asked to play in midfield and upfront.
"They couldn't find a position for him, or find where they were going to play him regularly.
"I think you can see in Woltemade's body language that he's not happy because he's not in the regular side.
'I wouldn't have had it any other way' - Burn on rise through the leaguespublished at 15:17 BST 14 May
15:17 BST 14 May
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle defender Dan Burn says he has "built a lot of resilience" in his rise from non-league to the Champions League.
Burn had to work his way up to the top level, spending time at Blyth Spartans, Darlington, Yeovil Town, Birmingham City, Wigan and playing in the National League, League Two, League One, and the Championship before making his Premier League debut.
"I'm very proud of the journey I've taken," he told BBC Look North's Nisha Joshi at the launch of the 'One of Our Own', external initiative by the club and Newcastle City Council to mark Mental Health Awareness Week this week.
"I wouldn't have had it any other way. It's built a lot of resilience in me to show I can go through those levels.
"I feel the first half of my career was built on fear of not making it or letting people down. But, especially since having kids, I've settled a lot more and am happy and confident in myself as a footballer and a person.
"Very proud. I try not to think about it too much because you can get ahead of yourself a little bit but once I've finished playing I'm sure it is something I'll reflect on."
When asked if there could be a book written on his meteoric rise, Burn joked: "You never know... If there's someone out there who wants to write it, absolutely!"
'Attacking every competition has mentally tested me' - Burnpublished at 11:58 BST 14 May
11:58 BST 14 May
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle defender Dan Burn says the strain of playing in four competitions has "mentally tested" him "quite a lot" this season.
In a wide-ranging chat at the launch of the 'One of Our Own, external', initiative by the club and Newcastle City Council to mark Mental Health Awareness Week this week, Burn opened up about his experiences with therapy, as well as chatting about the Magpies' season and his aspirations to make England's World Cup squad.
The 34-year-old has made 42 appearances in all competitions this season, despite missing a month with a bruised rib, including starting 11 out of 12 games in the Champions League.
"Tough," Burn said when asked how he has found the campaign.
"Because we've attacked every competition, I think it's mentally tested me quite a lot this season.
"I think the top teams, like the Man Citys, who have played regularly in all four competitions and seem to deal with it really well.
"That's the goal and where we need to get to. It's something that we'll learn from."
Despite a difficult league campaign, Eddie Howe's side reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and the Champions League round of 16 where they were defeated by Barcelona.
"Very very proud," Burn added when reflecting on the season as a whole.
"We are the first Newcastle team to get to the knockout stage of the Champions League and I thought we went toe-to-toe for the majority of the games but their quality shone through in the end.
"I've loved this season, we've put in some very good performances, and we've got a good opportunity to finish the season long. There's not a lot of points between the teams around us so you never know what might happen."
Gossip: Bayern reach agreement with Gordonpublished at 07:46 BST 14 May
07:46 BST 14 May
Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with Anthony Gordon and have begun negotiations with Newcastle United over signing the England forward, 25. (Bild - in German), external
Meanwhile, Germany forward Nick Woltemade is unhappy at Newcastle and Atletico Madrid are among the clubs monitoring the 24-year-old's situation. (Bild - in German), external
Hit play below to hear the Gordon reports being discussed on BBC Radio Newcastle, or listen on BBC Sounds here
Nerves, fatigue or psychology? What's behind Newcastle's late-goal issue?published at 16:28 BST 13 May
16:28 BST 13 May
Image source, SNS
Harvey Barnes has given his opinion on Newcastle United's tendency to concede late goals this season, after Eddie Howe's side let in an 88th-minute equaliser against Nottingham Forest last time out.
Elliot Anderson's goal was the 20th Newcastle United have conceded after the 75th-minute mark in the Premier League this season.
"It is disappointing," Barnes admitted on BBC Radio Newcastle. "There was a little bit of back and forth, and then we obviously got the goal and went ahead.
"We looked comfortable for a bit and we looked like we might get another one. We had a few chances - and then it [what followed] has just been the story of the season.
"We have been sinking in, conceding to pressure and ultimately conceding goals a little bit late in games. It is something we definitely haven't dealt with well enough when we go ahead in games.
"In the last 10 minutes or so, we seem to get a bit nervous. We seem to lose that confidence to go and get another goal, and ultimately we just try to defend the lead, which we haven't done well enough as a whole this year.
"There's maybe a little bit of fatigue at the end of games. When it happens once or twice, maybe the confidence drops and you automatically do it as a team.
"It's not an instruction. It's just something that seems to creep into our game a bit. It's something we have to stop doing."
Former Magpies defender John Anderson suggests it is a "psychological issue" that Howe's team are facing.
"It can be a mentality thing," Anderson explained. "When it happens so many times, it becomes psychological as well.
"You don't realise that you're dropping as deep as you're dropping, and giving as much space as you're giving, because you're trying to protect what you've got, especially when there is only one goal in it.
"It isn't a deliberate ploy. It is just trying to hang on to what you've got."
When asked by BBC Radio Newcastle if Barnes is the best finisher at the club, Anderson said: "I wouldn't disagree with that at all. I said this yesterday, he gets in those positions. You put your house on it.
"He doesn't panic, he's calm, puts his foot through it, goes either side and yes, you'd probably say that he is the best finisher at the club.
"Full credit to him, you know, he's never been a regular. He's been in and out of the side and he's been used as, I suppose, a super sub you could say. But he's had more of an impact coming off the bench than he has starting games, to be fair. He's scored important goals for us coming off the bench."
Barnes has started 32 games out of 56 across all competitions for Newcastle this season - while scoring 11 of his total 16 goals - but his minutes per goal is healthier when he is substituted on. The 28-year-old scores a goal every 240 minutes when starting a match, but this is reduced to 120 when coming off the bench.
But on why Barnes doesn't start regularly, Anderson put it down to the competition.
"I think the answer to that is he probably wants to start on that left-hand side," he said.
"Yes, he's played on the right, but would prefer to start and play on that left-hand side and for the majority of the season, Anthony Gordon's got that gig. Apart from the times when he was playing through the middle and Barnes got a few games on that left-hand side.
"But as I say, he's had more of an impact for me coming off the bench. Yet again, he comes off the bench and scores an important goal for us [against Forest]."
Click play above to hear the chat or listen on BBC Sounds here
Would a corner rule change work?published at 11:18 BST 13 May
11:18 BST 13 May
Media caption,
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.
In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.
Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".
You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating:"Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"
Forest draw poses 'more questions than answers'published at 15:39 BST 12 May
15:39 BST 12 May
Charlotte Robson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I started this season excited about the Champions League, excited about cup runs, excited about the development of our players and to see how Newcastle United continued to add to the last few seasons of progress.
I seem to be ending the season relieved that we're mathematically safe from relegation. Much to consider.
This weekend saw us draw at Nottingham Forest after taking the lead. That's a massive 27 points dropped from leading positions this season alone. You'll never sing that etc.
I find myself frustrated by our teamsheet in the 75 minutes before a game. Sometimes, I am wrong. I'm not too proud to admit that (she says, swallowing bile). I was startled by the line-up against Brighton and we won that game. On Sunday, I found myself surprised again as the team was announced and it looked suspiciously like a back five. OK! Let's try it.
Except we didn't try it because what actually happened was that potentially England's best left-back, Lewis Hall, was played at right-back. Yes, Nick Woltemade came in and played up top with William Osula, which was nice, but he also seemed to have a fluid midfield type role which I consider less nice. For him.
Eddie Howe's post-match comments for the last two games have been very interesting to me. Post-Brighton, he said he had picked the players he could "trust", which seemed like pointed language from a man not usually flippant with words.
After this weekend's game, he said that he had picked the players based on who would be here in the future. Ostensibly this answer was about Kieran Trippier, who has already announced he'll be leaving, but left a bit of a question mark over Anthony Gordon, who was also not selected.
Another game and another news conference that leaves me with more questions than answers.
'Newcastle don't have to sell Gordon to generate funds'published at 11:20 BST 12 May
11:20 BST 12 May
Image source, Getty Images
Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson believes the club has "no need to sell" Anthony Gordon this summer, despite Eddie Howe stating he is "looking to the future" after not bringing the 25-year-old off the bench in consecutive games.
"Well, people jump straight on the bandwagon when managers say that line, don't they?" Anderson said on BBC Radio Newcastle. "But the fact is if the club don't get the right amount of money for Anthony Gordon, they don't have to sell him.
"He still has four years of his contract left, so it isn't as if all of a sudden the club is having to settle for getting what they can for the boy.
"There are also one or two other players in the squad who could fall into the same category. There has been talk of Tino Livramento leaving, but I would say his position is weak with his injury situation in mind. There has also been talk around Sandro Tonali.
"Obviously, one or two players are going to have to leave. Although there will be money available, the club are still going to have to generate funds from player sales, if they are looking to strengthen before the beginning of next season."
Harvey Barnes' 16th goal of the season looked like sending the visitors ninth to boost their slim European hopes.
But Elliot Anderson's late equaliser, against his boyhood club, denied them and left Newcastle six points adrift of seventh-placed Brighton in a congested fight for Europe.
"We are relying on other results as well which is never what you want to be doing," said full-back Hall. "We need to be focused on winning the next two games and if it puts us in that position we can be really happy with how we have turned it around.
"Any European football would be good for the club and the fans. They have stuck with us in a difficult period so if we can give them something to be happy about at the end of the season we'll be happy."
The Magpies came fifth last season but have dropped 27 points this term from winning positions to end their hopes of a Champions League return.
They host West Ham on Saturday before ending the season at Fulham, with Hall denying the team is too fragile when defending a lead.
"I wouldn't say soft but it is something we've looked at and something to try to put right," he said.
"Throughout the season you are going to lose points from winning positions - 27 sounds a lot but in seasons where we have done well we've always dropped points from winning positions.
"It's a big number, we have two games left and have to try not to let it happen again."
Gossip: Newcastle in three-way battle for Bowenpublished at 06:50 BST 12 May
06:50 BST 12 May
Three Premier League clubs - Newcastle, Liverpool, and Everton - are targeting 29-year-old England forward Jarrod Bowen, even if West Ham avoid relegation. (Mail), external
