Looking at the schedule, last week was set to be a defining moment in Newcastle United’s season. The Magpies had relegation-bound West Brom on Sunday before Fulham were set to face Liverpool at Anfield.
Newcastle United came away with one point from a disappointing draw vs. the Baggies and Fulham earned a well-deserved three points in their upset win vs. Liverpool. But, could a different Premier League result on Sunday prove to be an x-factor in the relegation battle?
Following both Newcastle and Fulham’s matches that day, Manchester United took on Manchester City at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s side had won 21 consecutive matches entering the Manchester Derby.
But, it was Man Utd that took all three points in the rivalry fixture. Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty and Luke Shaw added the insurance goal in the 2-0 victory for the Red Devils.
Manchester United’s big win over Manchester City could actually boost Newcastle’s chances of survival.
Obviously, neither of these clubs are near the relegation battle, so how does this result impact Newcastle’s chance of EPL survival?
Fulham face Manchester City on Saturday. If City had cruised to yet another win vs. United, they could have entered the Fulham match complacent. But, they will want to bounce back in a big way after losing and that doesn’t bode well for Scott Parker’s side. While Fulham are in good form right now, there aren’t many teams in the world that can beat a motivated, focused Manchester City.
Newcastle will need to take care of business vs. Aston Villa, but we are comfortably to the point in the season when “scoreboard watching” will come into play with relegation rivals like Fulham or Brighton and Hove Albion. With Fulham set to face an angry, league-leading club, that bodes well for Steve Bruce & Co.