It’s Tyne for a decision...
NORWICH BURNLEY 2 ............. Shots on Target ........... 8 2 ............. Shots off Target ........... 7 2 ............... Blocked Shots ............ 8 6 ..................... Corners ................... 8 9 ........................ Fouls .................... 16 1 ...................... Offsides ................... 1 0 ................. Yellow Cards .............. 0 2 ................... Red Cards ................ 0 75.4 ..... Passing Success %.. 86.9 51 .................. Duels Won ............... 51 50.0 ....... Duel Success % ..... 50.0 7 ...................... Tackles ................... 11 57.1 .......... Tackles Won % ...... 45.5 42.5 ......... Possession % ........ 57.5 27.0 ....... Territorial Adv % .... 73.0 354 ............ TotalPasses ......... 464 10 ............... Total Crosses ........... 35 121 ................. Lost Balls ............. 107 48 ................ Recoveries ............. 49 56.4 ........ 1st Half Poss % ...... 43.6 31.4 ....... 2nd Half Poss % ..... 68.6 statistic was important for Burnley’s Nick Pope. He has 15 shut-outs, one ahead of Ederson, who has two to play.
NEWCASTLE UNITED is a club in limbo.
Paralysed by international legal, political and human rights battles that have little – and everything – to do with the average Toon fan.
It is time for the Premier League to unblock the three-month, nightmarish wrangle and make a decision.
If that means stopping the Saudi Arabia-funded takeover, then they have the legal and moral justification.
If they think the Saudi Public Investment Fund is a suitable owner – and can be regarded as separate from the many misdemeanours of the state – then let it pass.
It is time for a decision.
To end fans’ agony. So that Steve Bruce (below) knows if he’ll be manager next season. So club scouts and officials know which transfer market are they shopping in – tens of millions or free transfers?
It’s a no-win nightmare for the Premier League lawyers.
Approve – and welcome in a nation who have pirated and ripped off their broadcast content for three years.
Kick the bid out – and cause a diplomatic incident, possible legal action and the fury of hardcore Toon fans.
A Saudi-based TV piracy operation ripped off Prem games for three years, but the Saudis now want to become a shareholder in the league they stole from.
Surely that could now be smoothed over and beIN Sports – the £500million official rights holder – quietly allowed to broadcast again?
No chance, sources claim. A Saudi court removed beIN Sports’ broadcast licence, citing an historical “offence”.
And that’s all before their human rights record is mentioned.
On Friday a cross-party group of MPs wrote to the Premier League in a bid to torpedo the deal, saying it sends the wrong message. But, days earlier, the UK government allowed firms to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia again.
So they’re allowed to buy bombs from us – but not a football club?
IT WAS fascinating watching the torture endured by Leeds United directors and staff during their vital win over Barnsley.
Elland Road was empty, but they made plenty of noise – led by sporting director Victor Orta.
Seats were punched, primal roars boomed out. There was a desperate, last-gasp intensity on and off the pitch, amplified by the silence.
After 16 years away for the top flight, it was Leeds, from top to bottom, showing how much they wanted to be back among the elite.