Can Newcastle challenge for the title?
Five wins and a draw in the last six games, including this four goal destruction of Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, and Toon fans were singing about their dream and Eddie Howe being asked unexpected questions.
"We are Newcastle, and we’re going to win the league…" roared the Geordie crowd, still with a hint of wild optimism and sarcasm, as Howe's side went five points behind champions Manchester City - consolidating fourth place.
The answer is probably not, but Pep Guardiola says they are "contenders to be there" and "already top four" and a club who have not won the league since 1927 will certainly have fun trying to mix it up at the top.
Callum Wilson led the charge taking his tally to six goals in nine starts in front of Gareth Southgate. Surely a World Cup call up beckons. Joelinton and Miguel Almiron also netted. And Unai Emery saw the problems he will inherit at Villa this week, and also what he could have been in charge of as St James' Park celebrated a dominant second half show.
Howe’s side have 24 points and it’s not even November. Six starters in this side took until February 19 to reach that total last season. Howe joked: " Champions League? That’s an outrageous question! We were outstanding. That is up there with one of the best performances of the season. We know where we are and what we are in the middle of. We scored some great goals."
On Wilson’s England hopes he added he's "got to be taken - he is an outstanding striker".
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Wilson said: "It was a great performance. In the second half we blew them away. We don't get carried away. We have to keep this form going. I have said many times I will not talk my way into the England squad. I will let my performances do the talking."
Wilson grabbed the accolades putting Newcastle one up with a penalty kick six minutes into ten minutes of first half extra time. Joe Willock carried the ball 40 yards and cut inside. Wilson fed Almiron whose shot was blocked by a flailing arm from Ashley Young, and referee Paul Tierney immediately gave the spot kick.
Wilson converted down the middle past substitute goalkeeper Robin Olsen for his fifth goal in nine starts this season. His sixth of the season came after 56th minutes, a brilliantly worked, cheeky set piece which has become a trademark of assistant boss Jason Tindale.
Kieran Trippier took a short corner with Almiron, who turned away from goal but backheeled to the right back in space. He hung up a cross into the six yard box which Wilson forced home with his head. Villa’s first half energy had vanished and three minutes later Newcastle were three up.
While Southgate was checking on Wilson, Trippier, Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings, Brazil boss Tite was also in town, illustrating Newcastle’s growing stature. He was pictured on Friday dining at a Rio steakhouse in Jesmond, with midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
It didn’t look like in-form Joelinton got an invite, and this was a big chance to make a late bid for the Brazil squad. But he will have caught the eye for a place in Qatar, with his brutal all-action play, and goal in the 59th minute.
Newcastle broke from their own box, with Guimaraes claiming the ball, Joe Willock teeing WIlson for a shot that Olsen couldn’t hold, allowing Joelinton to smash home the rebound for his first of the season.
Naturally goal machine Almiron wanted in on the action and conjured another cracker. The Paraguayan curled left footed into the top corner from 20 yards, his sixth in six games. Wilson was denied a hattrick by the crossbar before being subbed, and joking: “I’m not happy about that!” with the bench.
The lengthy first half injury time was the product of keeper Emiliano Martinez suffering a head injury from a knee in the head, and Buendia a foot knock. Villa were slick early on but their energy levels plunged.
