A look at the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Monday, March 20.
Newcastle handed potential Manchester United boost as Marcus Rashford withdraws from England camp
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has pulled out of Gareth Southgate's England squad, handing Newcastle United a potential boost for their upcoming clash at St. James' Park. The Red Devils forward has been the standout player in the Premier League since returning from the World Cup, scoring 27 goals in 44 appearances so far this season.
However, Rashford was forced off in the latter stages of Man United's 3-1 win over Fulham in the FA Cup yesterday afternoon, suffering a knock. That knock has ruled him out of England squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this week.
As things stand, there's no indication as to how long Rashford will be ruled out. Eddie Howe's Newcastle will host the Red Devils at St. James' Park on Sunday, April 2 and could move back above Erik Ten Hag's side into third place if results go their way.
Former referee says Elliot Anderson's Newcastle United goal should have stood at Nottingham Forest
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher says he can't see why VAR got involved and ruled out Elliot Anderson's header at Nottingham Forest. Referee Paul Tierney originally awarded Newcastle United the goal, but was told to go to the monitor and disallow the goal for a supposed offside in the build-up.
Sean Longstaff was adjudged to be offside, despite Forest defender Filipe playing the ball off the Newcastle midfielder. Under the laws of the game, the goal would have stood if the Brazilian defender deliberately cleared the ball in the direction of Longstaff.
Which Gallagher - and many others - believes he did. Instead, Anderson's goal was chalked off at an important time in the game with both sides in need of three points.
Newcastle told Tottenham remain in Champions League 'box seat' despite Antonio Conte's rant
Jamie Redknapp insists Tottenham remain in the 'box seat' to qualify for the Champions League ahead of top-four rivals Newcastle United and Liverpool. However, the Sky Sports pundit admits he does not know what comes next for his former side after Antonio Conte's press conference rant.
The Tottenham boss did not hold back after his side threw away a two-goal lead in the 3-3 draw with basement side Southampton on Saturday. The draw leaves Spurs two points clear in fourth spot, but having played two matches more than the Magpies.
Conte took aim at his own 'selfish' players and the club's culture in the aftermath at St Mary's, raising fresh questions over whether the ex-Chelsea boss will still be in charge after the international break. Conte's contract expires in the summer, and former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel have been linked as potential successors.
Newcastle United's Champions League odds slashed after Antonio Conte meltdown
Newcastle United's odds on finishing in the top four of the Premier League and bagging a Champions League slot are shortening with some of the bookmakers.
Last week, the bookies had Tottenham Hotspur as the favourites to finish ahead of United and secure one of the coveted top four positions. But after Newcastle made it back to back wins in the top-flight and Spurs dropped two massive points in stoppage time during a 3-3 draw at Southampton, things have changed.
Before Spurs malfunctioned in the last 13 minutes at St Mary's Stadium, where they threw away a 3-1 lead, the bookies believed that Antonio Conte's men were favourites to finish at least fourth. But their meltdown on the South Coast, which also saw Conte unleash a furious Press conference rant, seems to have put Newcastle back in the box seat.
Newcastle's Champions League dream handed double boost with brutal rant and upcoming clashes
Newcastle United have the race for the Champions League firmly in their own hands heading into the final games of the campaign. Friday's impressive fightback against Nottingham Forest saw the Magpies move five points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool and puts even more pressure on the stuttering Tottenham in fourth.
Antonio Conte's side squandered a 3-1 lead away to Southampton less than 24 hours after Newcastle's win, prompting an astonishing rant from the Italian boss. It's safe to say the north London outfit are falling apart, while Newcastle are thriving behind the scenes.
“We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, I see players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart [in]," Conte said.
Nick Pope forced out of two games after playing through pain with Newcastle United
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope has been forced to withdraw from the England squad for the upcoming fixtures with Italy and Ukraine. The Magpies shot-stopper has been dealing with a minor issue despite playing an entire 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Friday.
Pope was called up to Gareth Southgate's squad alongside Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale but has now been replaced by former Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Pope will receive treatment while his team-mates enjoy a warm-weather trip to Dubai.
The former Burnley goalkeeper is now in a race against time to be passed fit for the visit of Manchester United on April 2. The Red Devils have also suffered a setback after Marcus Rashford, along with Pope and Mason Mount, pulled out of the England setup over the weekend.
Elliot Anderson response puts pressure on Allan Saint-Maximin hours after Eddie Howe promise
Just 36 hours after Eddie Howe vowed to give Elliot Anderson more opportunities in a black and white shirt - he delivered.
The 20-year-old, who has spent the majority of this season on the cusp of the first-team, was introduced off the bench in the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. His cameo was brimming with confidence, which showed as he found the net for his first Newcastle United goal, only to see it strangely ruled out.
Anderson may now be about to reap the rewards of such a decent display from the bench with extra minutes for the Magpies. "Now he's come back to full fitness, and he's been fit for a while, so he's now built that resilience in his body. He looks in a good place, he's certainly going to be needed, and he's going to get opportunities between now and the end of the season," Howe said before the win at the City Ground.
'Outstanding' Newcastle star reignites top-four assault as Antonio Conte blows fuse
Alexander Isak is producing the goods at 'exactly the right time' for Newcastle United as they re-ignite their unlikely top-four push. That is the view of Garth Crooks, and the pundit believes the Magpies' dramatic victory at Nottingham Forest played a part in Antonio Conte's press conference meltdown.
Eddie Howe's side shrugged off three straight defeats in all competitions to secure back-to-back victories ahead of the international break. The Magpies now trail Tottenham in fourth place by just two points, and hold two games in hand.
Conte's side spurned a two-goal cushion at St Mary's as basement side Southampton fought back to snatch a point in a 3-3 draw on Saturday. The Tottenham boss took aim at his own players and the owners in the aftermath, with speculation mounting the 53-year-old will not be in charge for the next match at Everton on April 3.
Newcastle have secret money can't buy and fuming Spurs boss Antonio Conte already knows it
The race for the top four may not just come down to experience or who has the biggest wage bill. At a time when Spurs are splintering before our eyes, Newcastle United have never been more together.
That spirit was evident during Newcastle's crucial 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest on Friday night. Not only did Eddie Howe's side show real character to come from behind to win a game for the first time this season; the visitors did not let their frustrations show after substitute Elliot Anderson controversially had a goal disallowed at the rocking City Ground.
Alexander Isak's quality ultimately proved the difference with both goals - there can be no doubt that such signings have taken Newcastle to the next level - but the scenes after the game told their own story about a secret money can't buy: togetherness. It was on show wherever you looked.
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