Joe Cole delivers a couple of big Newcastle United predictions

Joe Cole has been talking about Newcastle United.

The former Liverpool and England winger with a couple of big NUFC predictions.

Joe Cole was on media duties at St James’ Park last Saturday and thought: “Newcastle had a brilliant game against Chelsea; they were fantastic in the first half, but in the second half, they just ran out of steam.”

I think that is mostly spot on, though for me the reality was that three other major things prevented Newcastle United winning.

Eddie Howe’s team should have finished at least two or three more of so many great chances they created.

The two Chelsea goals shouldn’t have been conceded, Ramsdale for sure should have got across to a free-kick from over 30 yards out, whilst poor defending from Thiaw gifting Pedro the second.

The match officials absolutely woeful, failing to make any of at least five huge decisions that should have gone in Newcastle’s favour, with three penalties that should have been given to NUFC and two red cards for Chelsea.

Joe Cole looking at this Old Trafford match tonight and he is backing Eddie Howe’s team to win this match, pointing out that United did the double over Man U last season and that Newcastle United have lost just once in their last seven matches in all competitions.

Manchester United haven’t won at Old Trafford for over two months and Joe Cole saying that he thought: “Man U had turned a corner a bit, but then that 4-4 with Bournemouth came along, followed by losing to Aston Villa…”

Before that 4-4 against struggling Bournemouth (now no wins in their last eight Premier League matches), the previous two games at Old Trafford saw Man U lucky to get a draw against relegation fighting West Ham and lose to Everton, who had to play almost the entire match a man down.

Joe Cole has also picked out a danger man for Newcastle United in this match, telling Paddy Power: “Jacob Murphy is a good shout to score or assist: his numbers are great, because he doesn’t mess about, he gets into the box and gets it out from his feet. When you have players like Nick Woltemade waiting for a ball into the box, it’s brilliant to have a player like Murphy.”

Murphy is a rare thing these days, a right footed player who plays on the right wing.

The last two matches saw a right wing Murphy cross lead to Yoane Wissa’s opening goal against Fulham.

Then against Chelsea, it was another Murphy cross that led to Nick Woltemade’s opening goal.

Neither of these go down as an official assist but both right wing deliveries were key to creating the goals, so no surprise if Jacob Murphy provides the ammunition again for his teammates to score AND hopefully help deliver the Newcastle United victory which Joe Cole predicts tonight.