Pod On The Tyne: an independent NUFC podcast

The early Saturday kick-off hasn't been kind to Newcastle in recent times, especially when it comes to fast starts. Different story against Chelsea today, as crowd and team were on it from the first minute. Just like old times, and at half-time the major concern was that we hadn't put the third, or even fourth, goal past Rob Sanchez. As energy levels dropped in the second half an improved Chelsea were able to level before a frantic last half-hour with Newcastle left ruing missed chances and at least one penalty decision at the Gallowgate End.

Newcastle United moved fairly comfortably through to another Carabao Cup semi-final, where they will face Manchester City, albeit needing a late Lewis Miley header to clinch the victory. Yoane Wissa had settled early nerves on his first start as our new number nine, scoring with his first shot, but Fulham's Sasa Lukic was given the freedom of the Gallowgate penalty area to equalise soon after. In this extended matchday podcast we also hear from Eddie Howe, MOTM Miley, and youth team manager Adam Lawrence on the conclusion of a difficult campaign in the UEFA Youth League.

Nerves were jangling going into the first Tyne-Wear derby, in the league, in almost a decade. Taylor has been feeling it even more than most, but we all had doomsday scenarios running round through our heads. Well, this was pretty close. Manager sets up defensively, but not even really aiming to hit them on the break (if his quotes are understood correctly). That gamble then backfires when our new striker scores with a magnificent header... at the wrong end. In addition, Dan Burn was forced off with suspected broken ribs leaving us dangerously short of numbers in defensive positions and with no respite in view on the fixture list. If you're still reading this, you might well be one of our newest listeners from south South Shields. Fingers crossed you're only here this once. Enjoy ;).

Our stomachs are turning, and it's not because of wriggly worms (although in Chris's case, it may be bratwurst). It's the first league derby in almost a decade, and we are nervous, just like our expert fans, Thomas Concannon and Lisa Mole. Nervous, because we are the football team with the bigger reputation, which means we've got more to lose. But also, because we keep conceding late in games, and did so again in the Champions League on Wednesday. Having conceded from a set piece (another theme), Howe's men had fought their way back to lead in Germany before Alejandro Grimaldo snuck through to level. We're not in a bad position in the competition, but it could have been better, and anyway, it's all about the derby now.

It was important to get a win against Burnley for a few reasons; to banish the memory of Spurs' twin-equalisers, to carry momentum into a big week, and to climb the Premier League table. Did Howe's much-changed eleven and squad, boosted by the first appearance from Yoane Wissa, do all of that? Maybe not quite, but they won the game. From a sluggish start, through Bruno's Olimpico and Gordon's livewire performance, to Wissa's reception and the late drama, it was the least routine routine win.