Newcastle United have had worse anniversaries. A club with designs on setting up residence in the top six marked a year of new ownership by scoring five goals and surging into the European places. It may only be temporary, as others have games in hand, but the more pertinent statistic is that Newcastle have the sixth most points in the last 12 months. If that is testament to the difference Eddie Howe has made, his biggest win in charge was garnished by Bruno Guimaraes, who struck twice in a star turn.
Investment has brought improvement and Guimaraes continues to look a fine use of £36 million. In a heady year on Tyneside, much of a £200m outlay has been spent disturbingly sensibly.
