Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

We asked our Newcastle fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one.

Dan Burn

This season saw us lose Sven Botman at centre-back and we just... haven't really noticed. That's because Big Dan Burn easily slipped into this place and has held his line expertly. Not to mention the opening goal in the Carabao Cup final, helping us secure our first domestic cup in 70 years.

Jacob Murphy

We were so worried in January that we were going to be left totally lost on the right-hand side of attack. Enter Murphy who has gone on to provide eight Premier League goals and 12 assists to date. All with a massive grin on his face.

Sandro Tonali

Midfield maestro from Milano. This season has seen us unlock this player who somehow seems to get better and better each game. He has slotted into this holding midfielder/attacking hybrid role with ease, pushing play up the pitch and being instrumental in crucial wins.

Alexander Isak

We cannot ignore the goal contribution and skill of the ice cold Alexander Isak this season. For a player who isn't getting the service he wants, he still has an incredible 23 Premier League goals and the winning goal at the Carabao Cup final. There is so much more to come from him - which is such an exciting prospect.

Pick your 2024-25 Newcastle player of the season from our shortlist here

And tell us why you're picking who you are, or why you'd have gone for another player not on the list, here

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

The latest Newcastle United Podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck and special guest comedian Anth Young talk to former Newcastle United player John Anderson about his time at St. James' Park.

As they delve into his 10-year stint at the club - between 1982 and 1992 - Anderson reveals all about playing in the 1982 World Cup and being managed by Jack Charlton.

The former defender also reflects on his legendary commentary line: "Just put it in the net man!"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United are among the clubs set to hold talks with Ipswich Town's 22-year-old striker Liam Delap this week. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

We don't half make it hard for ourselves, do we? A loss at the Emirates this weekend sees us going into our last game of the season needing to win. Nobody wanted it to come down to this.

It is worth pointing out, though, that if someone told me in December that this is the position we would be in with one game to go - third, vying for a Champions League spot and ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City, I would have been absolutely buzzing.

So that is the feeling I'm trying to carry me through this week, instead of abject terror and generalised anxiety.

On the plus side, we get to end what will, however we place, go down as one of the best seasons we have ever had. Add to that the fact we get to end the season at home, St James' Park, cheering this group of players who made history for us, for themselves and for the city.

And what of this group of players? We have to turn our attention to the window almost as soon as we finish the season. The wheels keep rolling. If we secure Champions League, we need to strengthen the squad. That means losing players. If we do not, we have less incentive for some of them to stay. That also means losing players.

As a fanbase, we are collectively getting our head around the idea that in this PSR age we will have to make some sacrifices. It tempers it all, I think, that we won a cup this season. Any of our players could leave Newcastle with a guard of honour now.

It will be interesting to see what movement there is this summer - but whatever happens, I'm glad St James' Park is the last game and we can give them the reception they all deserve, one last time.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle's final game of the season will be "tense" and "pressurised", says former defender John Anderson.

After a 1-0 defeat by Arsenal at the weekend, it means the Magpies' European fate next season will go down to the final game of the campaign at home to Everton on Sunday.

Sitting third on 66 points means Champions League qualification is in there own hands if they match or better the result of the teams below them.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Anderson said: "It was tetchy. It was tense. It was what we thought it would be [against Arsenal] and only the one goal separated us.

"It will be nervy [the final game], no doubt about that. There will be a lot of tension around St James', a lot of people looking at their phones and what is happening elsewhere, but all you can do is concentrate on yourselves.

"You get the job done, you qualify. So it is going to be tense, it is going to be pressurised, there is no doubt about that.

"Everton have a little bit of momentum around them, it won't be easy but we need to go and win. It is not about performance, it is just about winning the game."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Arsenal's Premier League match against Southampton

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Lachlan: Perfect way to end the season at home! Newcastle normally have a way of beating us but today we showed we can win games and I was mightily impressed with Kiwior. He hasn't put a foot wrong since he came in for Gabriel!

Phil: Another game of two halves but we needed that win. Not only to effectively secure second, but to finally finish above City (could be useful to know we can next year) and because we have played three sub-par games against this Newcastle side without a win. We are still too ive on the ball though. We let the game happen to us rather than taking action more. Summer very much needed.

Terry: A hard-fought win, fully deserved, but sloppy ing at times. Raya made good on his mistakes and Declan scored a real match winner. Fortunately Newcastle could not finish in the final third but that was due to determined defending by the home side. Look forward to good summer gs to put Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Newcastle fans

John: Both sides were dreadful. Newcastle had the majority of the chances in the first half with a depleted squad. Isak, despite misfiring of late, would have been far more of a threat than past-it Wilson. Arsenal were poor too, though. A dull watch all round.

Sandra: I think in the first half we were unlucky not to score. We missed Isak. We seemed to stop trying when they scored. However it says a lot that the man of the match was their goalkeeper. Callum Wilson was out of his depth, and it took Gordon a while to settle too. Fingers crossed we can get it right against Everton and win to finish third in the League.

Adam: First half was exceptional minus a goal (or three). Second half we faded and were punished for our profligacy. Would have been lovely to have won the quadruple over Arsenal and be lying second, but wasn't meant to be I guess.

Match of the Day 2 pundits have been having their say on the race for the Champions League.

Danny Murphy expects Newcastle to be "fine", adding: "At home to Everton, I would say so with those fans behind them.

"Manchester City have got it all in their own hands with that extra game. Bournemouth and Fulham - not easy games but I'd tip them as well.

"If you look around the dressing room and you look at the manager, they're just the best in their class. If they don't have the resilience and fortitude to get through those games then there is a real question mark. They should beat Bournemouth and Fulham nine out of 10 times when they need to."

"That Chelsea-Forest game next week is the pick of the bunch. That's going to be one hell of an atmosphere down there."

Martin Keown said: "I think Forest have been magnificent this year - a breath of fresh air to see how they've performed. It's looking tough for them right now. They just had a little blip at the wrong time but they can't have any regrets to the way they've played this season.

"I think Man City will have enough to get there and so will Aston Villa as well."

Which way will it go? Read more and hear from the managers

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeper Nick Pope says Newcastle have "all the motivation" they need to see their season out on a high and qualify for the Champions League in their final game.

The 33-year-old has reflected on their performance against Arsenal ahead of their meeting with Everton at St James' Park next Sunday.

"I think we had our chances, can't say we didn't have our moments," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It was a high level game and we need those fine margins to go in our favour to get a result and unfortunately for us that didn't happen.

"We've performed well and there's definitely positives to take. Not the result we wanted of course but, we're 37 games into the season and we have the chance to finish on a real high so, that's all the motivation we need for next Sunday.

"We've got one game [against Everton] and one game we need to win. It's very simple and there's nothing else to look into and we've got to concentrate this week at the training ground and put in a performance.

"Where else would you rather play in the world? They're going to be right behind us and we're ready for a big atmosphere so, looking forward to playing in it."

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

Saturday 17th May

FA Cup final: Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City - 5 LIVE

Sunday 18th May

West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest - 5 LIVE

Brentford 2-3 Fulham – SPORTS EXTRA 2

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle - 5 LIVE

Neil Johnston at Emirates Stadium
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Reuters

No Alexander Isak, no goals for Newcastle.

The in-form Sweden striker was missing from his side's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal due to a groin issue.

Yet the visitors created enough chances in the opening 20 minutes to have won comfortably only for Declan Rice to pop up with another outrageous finish to punish Newcastle.

"It depends a lot on how he reacts," said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe afterwards about Isak's chances of appearing against Everton on the final day of the season.

Newcastle have already enjoyed a remarkable season after ending the club's 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

But they require one final effort to confirm a Champions League spot to add to their Carabao Cup triumph.

"This game is gone," added Howe about the defeat to Arsenal.

"We're still in a strong position and it's still in our hands [Champions League qualification]."

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after Newcastle's defeat against Arsenal: "It was a really strong first half performance from us - we looked confident. I was really pleased, bar the last action, the finishing was a bit off. I have to say David Raya played well."

"I can't ask anymore of the players, tough place to come. We probably weren't our best in the second half and that's what's probably has cost us the game."

On Alexander Isak's injury ruling him out of the final game of the season: "It is too early to say. It is a strange one, as he felt it after training. Got a scan this morning to see what the damage was. Hopefully, he will be available, but we don't know."

On Champions League qualification: "Halfway through the season we weren't in a great position.

"We worked hard to get here. I had the feeling it would go right to the end. It's an incredibly tight race. We have one more game to execute what we need."

On playing at home in the last game of the season: "We love playing at home. It's a really great atmosphere. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves and make it too emotional.

"We need to give our best and try and win."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle had five shots on target in the opening 17 minutes of the match, but didn't manage another one for the rest of the game.

Were you at the game or following elsewhere?

What did you make of Arsenal's performance?

Newcastle fans, were you impressed with your side?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Everton v Southampton (12:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Nottingham Forest (14:15)

• Brentford v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Leicester v Ipswich

• Arsenal v Newcastle (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey says it is "pleasing" to hear that Sven Botman only picked up a knock on his knee in the Magpies' 2-0 win over Chelsea, after the centre-back suffered with two anterior cruciate ligament injuries last season.

Botman made his first start for three months last weekend before needing to be substituted off 10 minutes into the second half at St. James' Park.

Howey voiced his relief for the defender, after manager Eddie Howe confirmed it wasn't a "serious injury" in his pre-match news conference.

"I think he has been unlucky," Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle. "Obviously the ACL injury was the ACL injury, but I think his first injury came from a knock as well.

"You are going to get knocks, bangs and bruises in the position that he plays, but I think he's just been really unlucky on the last two occasions.

"As soon as it comes out that it's his knee, unfortunately people fear the worst because of what has happened previously with him. In a weird way, it is pleasing that it's just a knock."

On the mental impact of lengthy injuries, he added: "It is tough. You have to be mentally strong to get through them because you do feel as though you're not part of things.

"That comes as no surprise because you aren't part of things, you're just watching the lads out of the window training every day and playing games.

"But Eddie Howe seems to realise how difficult it is for players. Back in the day, managers didn't care because they thought: 'What's the point of you being that involved if I can't use you">