The difference a year can make in football is truly staggering.
Back in 2021, Newcastle United were embroiled in a relegation battle. While the club had just been taken over by PIF, results on the pitch were still dismal following the departure of Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce.
However, the appointment of Eddie Howe had a transformative effect upon the club, with Newcastle going on to secure safety last term in comfortable fashion.
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And now, just a year later, Howe and co find themselves battling it out with the Premier League's best for a top four spot this season.
The Magpies were nothing short of spectacular prior to the World Cup break, finishing up the first part of their domestic campaign third in the Premier League.
So far this season, they have lost just once - to Liverpool in injury time - and have conceded the joint fewest goals in the league, tied with leaders Arsenal.
With how well they have played this season, Newcastle are definitely in with a shot at qualifying for a Champions League spot, a competition they have not featured in since 2003.
However, despite their strong start, bookmakers Sky Bet make the Magpies sixth favourites to earn a top four spot this season.
They have Manchester City and Arsenal making the Champions League comfortably with odds of 1/100 and 1/20 while Liverpool at 4/7 are third favourites to qualify behind the Premier League's current top two.
Tottenham Hotspur are placed at 11/10 to make the top four, with Manchester United and Newcastle named as Sky Bet's fifth and sixth favourites with odds of 5/4 and 11/8 respectively.
Chelsea, who finished third last term, are next on the list with odds of 10/3.
Despite their strong start, the bookies feel Newcastle have over performed so far this season. Spurs, Manchester United and Liverpool all sit below the Magpies ahead of the domestic restart but have better odds of making the top four.
While Newcastle currently sit third in the table, they will need to hit the ground running when the Premier League resumes in a few weeks time to give themselves the best possible chance of making the Champions League.
A couple of quality signings in January, coupled with the return from injury of summer signing Alexander Isak could be all Howe and co need to realise their top four ambitions far earlier then anyone could have ever predicted.
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