NEWCASTLE CAN DREAM BIG AFTER A YEAR TO REMEMBER

IT says much about the progress Newcastle have made that, after drawing against stubborn Leeds, their supporters found consolation in Manchester City also dropping points. Twelve months ago, the results of another City were their chief concern — Norwich, the only team keeping them from the bottom of the Premier League. Boss Eddie Howe says he does not care for what Arsenal, City and Liverpool are doing right now. But there will come a time when he does, when the significance of Newcastle’s own results is aligned to the fate of their rivals. Rivals, that is, for Champions League football. There has been a gradual escalation of expectation — from summer talk of a top-ten finish to autumnal optimism of Europe and then, last week, questions about winning the title. Even defeat at Arsenal tomorrow would not be reason to temper the buoyancy around the club. Not when they have just signed off from 2022 with one home defeat, in April against Liverpool, and are in the midst of a 12-game unbeaten run that ranks as their best in the top flight for 98 years. ‘Through hard work, persistence and determination, we have finished the year third in the league. Our journey has only just started,’ said co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi. What they have done, primarily because of Howe (pictured), is accelerate that journey. When the Saudi-led takeover was signed off 15 months ago, there was an acceptance that, over time, money would see Newcastle stride to the top. What folk did not anticipate was their step to be quickened by a coach who has extracted the maximum from his players. Of Newcastle’s six losses, only a 99th-minute concession at Everton in March came against a team outside the top six. So, can they win the league? Not when their squad depth runs so quickly into shallow waters. An injury to centreback Sven Botman or midfielder Bruno Guimaraes would be felt more keenly than City losing Erling Haaland. The challenge is now to provide Howe with better players. Key moments will arrive when quality wins the day. Take Saturday. It all came crashing in front of goal. Chris Wood, Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar all missed golden chances. Leeds deserve credit, too. Jesse Marsch had a plan and it worked. Howe will now have to guard against opponents coming here and being delighted to escape with a point. But that, too, is a sign of Newcastle’s progress.