Headline: Newcastle United Surprises with Strong Start to the Season
Newcastle United has kicked off the season with four points, surpassing expectations even from the most hopeful fans. Matthias Jaissle, who stepped into the role of manager following the departure of a club legend, has led the team to a draw against Liverpool and a win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Newcastle’s performances have defied the odds, especially when considering Hull City’s impressive start with two victories. Jaissle seems to have tapped into a unique strategy, utilizing new signings, particularly after significant departures including Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, and Sandro Tonali.
The squad’s mentality appears to be that of defiance, coupled with a sprinkle of luck, as prominent players Isak and Tonali are now on the opposing side of the pitch.
The Magpies’ roster features notable contributions from their new veterans. Goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek and defender Amar Dedic made a notable impact during their debuts against Liverpool, both standing out in performance. Dedic continued to impress, joined by Nico Gonzalez, who shone in his second outing against Tottenham.
Newcastle’s initial summer signings included young midfielders Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur, as well as winger Bazoumana Traore. While Steur and Traore have shown promise, the more experienced trio of Dedic, Hornicek, and Gonzalez have provided essential stability in the wake of losing crucial players such as captain Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn.
Another factor contributing to Newcastle’s success is the resurgence of last season’s signings, notably Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa. Each scored against top teams, with Elanga netting in both games and Wissa earning “Man of the Match” honors in the opener against Liverpool.
Jaissle faced a challenging start with tough opponents like Liverpool and Spurs, but both teams were introducing new systems and players. Despite Liverpool dominating possession and creating numerous chances, they could only manage a draw. Meanwhile, Tottenham also tested Newcastle’s defense but ultimately fell short.
A standout performer has been new goalkeeper Hornicek, whose ratings have shown his exceptional capability. Scoring highly on match assessments, Hornicek’s performances have positioned him as a critical player this season.
Overcoming early hurdles and integrating new talents is pivotal for Jaissle. If he maintains this positive trajectory, Newcastle United could evolve into a formidable contender, aiming high in both domestic competitions and potential European qualification.
Even the most optimistic Newcastle United supporters were unlikely to have said Matthias Jaissle’s team would come away from this start to the season with four points, but here are the Magpies anyway.
They can’t be the surprise of the season given Hull City are 2-0, but Jaissle has walked into the shoes of a living club legend and found a way to a draw with Liverpool and a win over Tottenham Hotspur.
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How did he do it? A perfect storm, you might say. Jaissle has taken sandpaper to the edges of perceived square pegs in round holes while getting instant magic from at least two of the club’s signings made in the wake of Newcastle selling Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, and Sandro Tonali.
Surely, there’s a siege mentality here, too, as well as a heaping helping of luck and the fact that Jaissle wouldn’t have to do much but point at the massive opposition over the first two weeks as town-skippers Alexander Isak and Tonali started each outing on the other side of the pitch.
And yet… howay the lads!
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Newcastle’s three veteran transfers hit the ground running
And in Amar Dedic’s case running and running and running.
The Magpies saw goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek and Amar Dedic debut against Liverpool as two of the better players on the pitch, then deliver repeat performances while Nico Gonzalez joined them as a brilliant black and white debutant in Week 2.
Newcastle’s first buys of the summer were young midfielders Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur to go with winger Bazoumana Traore, and both Steur and Traore’s early work has impressed a bit. But Dedic, Hornicek, and Gonzalez are comparatively ancient and have brought steadier influences to a pitch that lost the three aforementioned stars this summer a captain-level leader in Kieran Trippier. They’re also without Dan Burn.
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It could’ve, ironically, crashed and burned had these new players not showed up ready to play.
Newcastle United goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday August 29, 2026. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Elanga, Wissa taking hold of new leases on life
Eddie Howe’s steady hand often meant a longer leash to players he trusted, and that has its plusses and minuses.
The minuses were quick leashes and fewer chances for new signings to make impacts with the team, and last season’s summer additions of Anthony Elanga, Yoane Wissa, and Nick Woltemade had up-and-down (or in Woltemade’s case, down-and-up) first season at Newcastle.
Well, Elanga’s scored in both games and Wissa was the Man of the Match against Liverpool before scoring off Woltemade’s knockdown to salt away three Saturday points for Jaissle’s Black and White Army.
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Sweden and DR Congo’s impressive World Cups also probably helped Elanga and Wissa emerge from the summer with good spirits and form, but whatever the reason, the resurgence is welcomed in the Northeast.
The third key: maybe luck, maybe Lukas
Newcastle’s new boss Jaissle did not get a welcome start to the fixture list with Liverpool and Spurs, but the asterisk next to the opponents would note that both sides were rolling out new systems under new bosses with more than a few new players.
Consider:
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Liverpool had 61% possession in Week 1, produced 2.98 xG, and outshot Newcastle 27-13.
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Spurs out-attempted Newcastle 17-11, won the xG by 0.29, and kept 58% of the ball.
So there’s likely been some rub of the green here even with the Magpies conceding a dicey penalty late against Spurs.
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And/or… a good goalkeeper helps a team make its own luck.
Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale were average last season, and new goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek has been above average this season. Fotmob rated Hornicek a joint-team-best 7.8 versus Liverpool (Elanga) after a five-save day and a 8.2 versus Spurs. Only Lewis Hall and Dedic ranked higher in North London.
Replacing key pieces and improving weak spots is going to go a long way toward making a coach look good; As former University at Buffalo basketball coach Reggie Witherspoon once said, it’s more about Jims and Joes than Xs and Os.
Regardless, Newcastle have four points that not a lot of other teams will get this season. If he can keep this ship steady, Jaissle has a chance to make his team a surprise package, compete in the domestic cups, and maybe even find a route back to Europe.
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