History: Newcastle United defies the odds and finds success

This article will discuss Newcastle United’s play from the 2015 season up until the 2020 COVID season, to highlight the team’s struggles, bringing them to where they are now.

Newcastle United has found nothing short of success in the 2022-23 season, but getting to this point has not been easy for the Magpies.

The team currently sits in third place in the Premier League table with an overall record of 18-11-4 which is good for 65 total league points. For comparison, this time last season Newcastle was battling between the 10-14 place spots.

This past weekend Newcastle United was able to mathematically clinch a spot in European league play for the 2023-24 season, as they cannot fall any further than seventh place in the table. The odds also favor them to finish within the top 5, which could give them a birth into the Champions League.

However, until this point, the Magpies have not played in European league play since the 2013 season.

So, how did they get here, and where did this success come from?

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Paul Dummett of Newcastle United and Stephane Sessegnon of West Bromwich Albion compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United at The Hawthorns on December 28, 2015 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

2015-2016 Season

The 2015-2016 season was a difficult one for Newcastle United, as they finished in 18th place and were relegated to the Championship. They won just nine games all season, with 10 draws and 19 losses. They finished the season with 37 points, just two points behind 17th-placed Sunderland.

Newcastle’s top scorer that season was Georginio Wijnaldum, who scored 11 goals in 38 appearances. Ayoze Perez was another standout player, contributing six goals and three assists. However, overall, it was a disappointing season for the Magpies, who struggled defensively and failed to score enough goals.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Newcastle player Matt Ritchie (l) celebrates his opening goal with Isaac Hayden during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park on December 30, 2016 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

2016-2017 Season:

Newcastle United bounced back from their relegation and secured an immediate return to the Premier League in the 2016-2017 season. They finished top of the Championship, winning 29 games and losing just seven. They also ended up tieing in 10 contests. They finished the season with 94 points, five points ahead of second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.

Dwight Gayle was Newcastle’s top scorer that season, with 23 goals in 32 appearances. Matt Ritchie was also a key player for the Magpies, contributing 12 goals and seven assists. Rafa Benitez was the manager at the time, and he guided Newcastle back to the top flight at the first attempt.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Ciaran Clark (L), of Newcastle United in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion at St. James Park on December 30, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /

2017-2018 Season:

Newcastle United’s return to the Premier League in the 2017-2018 season was a solid one, as they finished in 10th place with 44 points. They won 12 games, drew eight, and lost 18. They finished just one point behind ninth-placed Everton.

Ayoze Perez was Newcastle’s top scorer that season, with eight goals in 37 appearances. Matt Ritchie was again a key player, contributing four goals and seven assists. Defensively, Jamaal Lascelles was a standout performer, leading the team from the back.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United at Anfield on December 26, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images) /

2018-2019 Season:

The 2018-2019 season was another solid one for Newcastle United, as they finished in 13th place with 45 points. They won 12 games, drew nine, and lost 17. They finished seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Salomon Rondon was Newcastle’s top scorer that season, with 11 goals in 32 appearances. Ayoze Perez was also a key player, contributing 12 goals and two assists. The team’s defensive record was also impressive, with Martin Dubravka keeping 11 clean sheets in 38 appearances.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Fabian Schar of Newcastle United celebrates with teammates Andy Carroll and Joelinton of Newcastle United after scoring his teams first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on December 28, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

2019-2020 Season:

The 2019-2020 season was a difficult one for Newcastle United, as they finished in 13th place with 44 points. They won 11 games, drew 11, and lost 16. They finished just four points clear of the relegation zone.

Jonjo Shelvey was Newcastle’s top scorer that season, with six goals in 31 appearances. Miguel Almiron was another standout player, contributing four goals and seven assists. Defensively, Federico Fernandez and Jamaal Lascelles were solid performers, forming a strong partnership at the back.

3 transfer targets for Newcastle United in the 2023 offseason. light. Trending

After the COVID-19 Pandemic hit and plagued the football world with trying times, the Magpies remained consistently in the middle of the pack. They finished 12th in the 2020-21 season, 11th in the 2021-22 season, and currently are fighting to stay within the top three in the 2022-23 season.

With years of mediocre play underneath their belts, they now look to rebound and prove to the rest of the league why they need to be taken seriously moving forward.

Their next true test comes as they take on Arsenal this coming Sunday, May 7, at 4:30 p.m. GMT

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