Newcastle United’s ‘champions challenge’ with four 2023 trophy-winning opponents in just 12 days

So much for the ‘Champions League hangover’ then. Newcastle United’s 8-0 demolition of Sheffield United ended a week where Eddie Howe’s Magpies silenced their critics with three contrasting, but equallly important, performances.

They needed it after three consecutive Premier League defeats, including an unusually lacklustre display at Brighton, but the 1-0 win over Brentford and the battling Champions League point against AC Milan in the San Siro showed Newcastle have the fight back – before Sunday’s rout added the attacking threat that had been lacking.

Of course the nature of this season for the Magpies means the next challenge is just around the corner, and Newcastle face four games in the coming fortnight against sides who have enjoyed a successful 2023 so far. Indeed the next four opponents ALL lifted trophies at the end of last season, some more than once.

United’s progress under new owners has been remarkable, but that silverware still eludes them. With the exception of Burnley, United’s next four have all achieved something that remains high on the club’s wishlist, in lifting a trophy in front of their fans. Like Burnley, Newcastle have lifted the Championship title, but Manchester City, Paris Saint Germain and West Ham all brought home big silverware last season – and that underlines the task ahead.

What’s left to say about Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side? After a unique treble of trophies last season, Mancester City have picked up where they left off with a 100 per cent Premier League record to date. That included a 1-0 win over Newcastle in the second game of the season, of course, in a match where United might feel they could have threaten the hosts more.

Like Newcastle, City are contending with Champions League games as well as domestic trials right now, and so Guardiola is likely to change his line-up for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie at St James’ Park. City are without injuried stars such as Kevin de Bruyne, Bernado Silva and John Stones, with Rodri is suspended after picking up a red card in their 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.