Rivals calling out the Toon

THE higher Newcastle United go, the less popular they get among rival fans and managers.

And the more Eddie Howe’s side threaten to disrupt the Premier League elite, the more petty and vexed opponents become – especially Manchester United supporters.

Look at those celebratory dressing room pictures taken every time Newcastle win a game. You’d think they’d won a trophy, not three points. Actually, that’s a tradition from Howe (below) in his Bournemouth days.

Look at the time-wasting, the game management, the players going down ‘injured’ to give team-mates a breather.

Actually, no different from what rivals do and they’re better off with the ball quickly back in play. Look at the fans celebrating away wins up to an hour after the final whistle. How dare they enjoy themselves after a decade of underachievement.

Snide comments not only flood social media, they spew from the mouths of sour rival bosses. “They played above themselves…” said Erik ten Hag last Sunday after his side lost 2-0.

It is played out on the touchline too – the battle of the Anfield tunnel earlier in the season, Mikel Arteta ranting at the Toon bench, Ten Hag and Howe’s finger-pointing row in the technical area.

For a decade none of this happened. Now there’s needle everywhere. Isn’t that great?

Well, yes, because on Tyneside there’s a belief it proves Newcastle are relevant again. They are contenders at the top, bidding to pinch prized European slots, cash and exposure from those who thought their top-six dominance would go largely unchallenged.

But also, no, because however United (the black and white one) do, it will in the long run be tainted.

They will always be less lovable than Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers of the 1990s. That doesn’t stop you admiring Howe and his players now for the way they’ve lifted a city.