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Newcastle United have lined up a glamorous pre-season trip to Celtic in July in what they hope will be a curtain-raiser for both clubs’ Champions League campaigns.

Newcastle are set to confirm the Celtic Park date imminently, along with the South Korean leg of their summer tour of Asia. They will take on Tottenham Hotspur and a representative side in Seoul in early August, following a game against Arsenal at Singapore’s National Stadium on 27 July.

But The i Paper understands there will be no repeat of the controversial post-season trip to Australia which earned Newcastle a six-figure fee last summer but prompted criticism from environmental groups and prompted mixed reactions in a dressing room where several of the players were heading for international tournaments.

Instead Newcastle are mixing a lucrative trip to two emerging markets with competitive games, including their first trip to Parkhead since 1999. The hope is that the Magpies will be warming up for another Champions League campaign, having moved back up to third in the Premier League after a win against 10-man Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Newcastle will once again end their pre-season programme with the now-traditional Sela Cup weekender, featuring back-to-back games against overseas opposition along with a game for the women’s side, who have consolidated in the Championship this season.

Pre-season has been seen as a key area for Newcastle to capitalise on as they look to hit challenging targets of doubling commercial revenue every two years to remain competitive in the financial fair play era. The Magpies travelled to Japan last year and have tapped into contacts established through their tie-in with Adidas in an attempt to expand their global appeal.

Newcastle know they are playing catch-up on that front, having largely struggled to leverage their brand in the Mike Ashley era. But there is a belief that the club can grow its global fanbase, especially if they become fixtures in European competition.

Insiders believe the games against Arsenal and Tottenham are almost certain to sell out.

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Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd (Semenyo 24′ | Hojlund 90+6′ )

VITALITY STADIUM — A Bournemouth team moulded by an Athletic Bilbao legend were handy opponents for Manchester United ahead of their Europa League semi-final, but they will have to produce better than this to beat La Liga’s fourth-best team.

For 74 minutes, from the time of Antoine Semenyo’s opening goal to Rasmus Hojlund’s late equaliser, United looked like a team incapable of scoring, despite having 23 attempts on goal.

That lack of cutting edge has been a theme of a season in which only Leicester City and Everton have failed to find the net in more Premier League matches than Ruben Amorim’s side.

An abject defeat to an opponent depleted for 30 minutes would have done little for United’s already brittle confidence ahead of Thursday’s first leg.

Rasmus Hojlund equalises for Manchester United in injury time! pic.twitter.com/BQ3rx09VcA

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 27, 2025

Maybe Hojlund’s opportunistic toe-poke in the sixth minute of nine added on will change the mood music from sombre to something more upbeat.

How United needed that; how Hojlund needed that. The Dane celebrated instinctively with a double fist pump and a relief-drenched roar before remembering there were still three minutes left to play and that he had better return to the halfway line.

It was his fourth Premier League goal of a desperately difficult campaign and his second in his last six in the competition. That return is no cause for celebration yet, but is an improvement on his return of two from his first 23 appearances, at least.

“I want to support my players,” Amorim said. “I was a player and sometimes you have bad moments, difficult moments in a big club, so I think it was a good moment for him. But it’s just a goal. Let’s focus on Thursday.”

The Portuguese cut a more relaxed figure in the Bournemouth press room than he had for the preceding 147 minutes of game time in the technical area.

He alternated between two poses – a disconsolate downward stare and headmasterly hands on hips – as passes went astray and promising attacks crashed and burned.

It was, for the most part, another game that showed how far United are from where they intend to be, but a successful salvage mission at least gave Amorim something to cling to.

United ended the match with 25 shots, the most they have had in a league game under Amorim. That 15 came after Evanilson’s hugely contentious red card on 70 minutes indicates a weakness and a positive: that they struggled to break the Cherries down when it was 11 vs 11 and that they kept on going until the end.

Two big opportunities went awry: an Alejandro Garnacho lob that was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga and a Mason Mount shot deflected wide by Milos Kerkez. Bruno Fernandes was inches away from scoring a beauty from 25 yards.

“If you look at the game, especially in the second half and especially [after] the sending off, we arrange ways to get inside the box and that is something that we are improving,” Amorim insisted. “We created chances, we managed to score one but I feel like we lost two points today.”

Hojlund’s goal should not – and will not – mask an issue that has plagued United all season. Matheus Cunha would be a welcome addition to a team crying out for individual inspiration in the final third.

Bournemouth looked far more dangerous when they had a full complement on the pitch. Their goal was a mixture of shambolic self-destruction from United and precise execution on their part.

Luke Shaw’s sideways pass to Patrick Dorgu triggered the home side’s press. Adam Smith made the tackle, Evanilson beat two United players to the cross and flicked to Antoine Semenyo, who rifled a fine finish past Andre Onana at his near post.

Bournemouth do everything at speed. By contrast, United were too static in their movement. Hojlund made life too easy for the two of the Premier League’s best young centre-backs.

In the first half, Hojlund remonstrated with Onana for passing him the ball when he was standing in an offside position just beyond halfway. To which the Cameroonian justifiably responded by stretching his arms out in bewilderment.

Chido Obi, the towering teenager snapped up from Arsenal in the winter, looks like a promising if raw prospect, and Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have shown bursts of potential at times.

They would all benefit from working alongside a more proven forward who can offer pointers and pep talks.

“We are on different levels [to Liverpool] at this moment but everything can change,” Amorim stressed.

“We need to focus on step by step and try not to think too far ahead. We have an ultimate goal that is winning the Premier League and again I’m not crazy, I know that is not going to be next year but we are trying to build something.”

The rebuilding project must start at the top rather than the bottom. Sharpening a blunt edge next season features at the very top of the club’s summer checklist.

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ST JAMES’ PARK — Newcastle United’s trajectory is taking them back towards the bright lights and game-changing bottom line of the Champions League but how many of this squad go with them remains a fascinating sub-plot of a season to remember.

A victory that relegated 10-man Ipswich Town was predictable but the final goalscorer – Newcastle’s roughest of diamonds William Osula – was not. Stooping to nod Kieran Trippier’s wonderful cross past Alex Palmer, Osula’s accomplished header was a tentative sign that a changing of the guard is under way at St James’ Park.

That Callum Wilson, whose Newcastle future is in doubt with talks on a new contract yet to be initiated by the club, was also on the field at the time felt symbolic.

OSULAAAAA pic.twitter.com/uJ7TNmhuuL

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 26, 2025

The 33-year-old has been a wonderful servant at St James’ Park but Newcastle plan a summer revamp of their forward line with Ipswich’s Liam Delap among the options being considered. As one of the few of Eddie Howe’s experienced standard-bearers yet to be handed a contract extension, Wilson is starting to look like the odd man out. He is heading towards the exit door.

But he may not be alone. Joe Willock was handed the chance to impress in the absence of the influential Joelinton and, in truth, was hit and miss. It has been a difficult, stop-start campaign for him and Sean Longstaff, who has played just 75 minutes of football in this calendar year and was once again an unused substitute.

Others are constructing a more formidable case to be part of the bright new era. Trippier’s time felt up when he lost the captaincy before the start of the season and there were opportunities in Saudi Arabia, the United States and Europe for him in January. But the loss of Lewis Hall to a season-ending injury, which prompted Tino Livramento’s switch to a left-back role in which he has excelled, has prompted an Indian summer for Trippier that makes him look indispensable once more.

He set up two goals against shell-shocked Ipswich at the weekend, standing up a wonderful cross for Dan Burn to head his first Premier League goal of the season, and was a driving force in a difficult first half when the visitors threatened to gain a foothold. Insiders say he is one of those who sets the standards in the dressing room, and there is a belief at the club that another campaign of Champions League football is likely to persuade him that his future lies at Newcastle.

“He is a difference-maker for us. He has obvious qualities on the pitch, but he is a leader and his experience helps us in so many ways,” Howe said afterwards. Wary of ripping things up too drastically, he remains a big fan of Trippier.

The evolution of this team of Newcastle history-makers in the second half of 2025 is going to be fascinating to watch. Three or four “big signings” are planned – Champions League football will help on that front – but how they adapt and learn from the mistakes of their last European campaign will be equally intriguing. Inject more youth into the group? Turn to Paul Mitchell’s growing crop of project players? Or do smart, savvy business by picking up the Delaps of this world?

One thing is for certain: any recruitment must not threaten the culture that Howe has built at Newcastle. This was yet another strong response to a heavy defeat in a season that might have overwhelmed more brittle squads. Instead they turned the page on a 4-1 defeat to Aston Villa as they once again showcased impressive resilience.

“It needs to be one of your core strengths,” Howe said of his team’s ability to bounce back.

“You’re going to have disappointing days and poor results but the need to bounce back and show the mental resolve to respond is one of our best characteristics. With four games left, we can’t afford to have any more setbacks.”

Howe himself was a less animated presence on the touchline, clearly still suffering the ill effects of a bout of pneumonia that left him hospitalised and probably required a longer spell of convalescence. That was never going to be the case although Howe’s promise to take it steady on his return to the training ground lasted, according to Burn, no more than a few minutes before he was calling a halt to a session to point out what needed to be improved.

Having their leader back helped Newcastle here and, given Jason Tindall picked up a yellow card that will see him suspended for next weekend’s trip to Brighton, Howe’s return was timely. There is a lot to be decided in the coming weeks.

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WEMBLEY — Some are preventable, some are screamers, and some like Eberechi Eze’s are deemed somewhere in between.

No matter the manner though it leads to a familiar outcome, with the goal that set Crystal Palace on their way to the FA Cup final once more the first shot Aston Villa had faced on target.

It has become a bizarre and worrying trend for Villa this season. There is so much to celebrate about this campaign, and yet the agony of another year left waiting for a major trophy brings to the fore feelings of frustration, of the wrongs that can be corrected.

Ahead of kick-off at Wembley, X account Aston Villa Statto posted: “Please save the first shot on target today, Emi.”

Just over an hour later, shortly after Eze’s strike, the same account posted: “First shot on target confirmed. Shock horror. 22nd time this season.”

Twenty-two times in 53 games this season, and on this occasion it was after a strike that divided opinion with regards to whether Martinez could have done better. “The ‘keeper has got to save it,” Wayne Rooney said on BBC at half-time, weighing in on the debate. A view that some may deem harsh.

EBERE EZE. THAT IS INCREDIBLE.

An unbelievable goal from the @CPFC and @England magician #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/SD364TWvBF

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 26, 2025

Either way, it put Villa on the back foot, with the sucker punch then Dean Henderson’s two brilliant second-half saves that denied them an equaliser before Palace turned this into an emphatic victory.

It was some contrast. One of these goalkeepers has been voted the world’s best goalkeeper twice, the other is England’s fourth choice, but on Saturday there was only one standout.

Martinez can be brilliant but he can be a source of frustration for Villa fans, and while it may be a stretch to suggest they should replace him this summer, some fiercer competition wouldn’t hurt. It would at least keep him on his toes.

His distribution is up there, was pitch perfect against Newcastle, but other elements of his game are slacking, and the Argentine would be the first to admit he must improve.

This season he ranks down in 18th among Premier League goalkeepers (with more than 10 games) for save percentage at 65.9, while he is a lowly joint-13th for clean sheets with five.

He is seventh for overall goals conceded (45), while his rate of 1.41 goals conceded per 90 minutes is also more than Villa’s nearest rivals, perhaps explaining why they are behind in the top-five race, with their goal difference of +5 some distance behind the six clubs above them.

Causes for concern and to maybe address in the summer, but first though Unai Emery must somehow pick his squad up for the Premier League’s final straight.

They are still in the battle to finish in the top five, and though it has been another season of progress, as Emery would like to point out, this season could end with three agonising near-misses: the defeat to PSG for one, this FA Cup loss, and their bid to return to the Champions League next season.

It isn’t over yet, though, and Emery wants Villa to channel the pain of this Wembley defeat in the four league games remaining.

“We have to dominate our frustration and disappointed moments and keep going,” Emery said.

“How we are increasing our level and our demands through Europe, in the Conference League last year and Champions League and FA Cup this year, we have to be happy, motivated and excited about how we are improving.

“We have to change again our objective because the Premier League is our priority.

“We lost a possibility to get one trophy in the Champions League and again today, but we have to keep going.

“We keep going and we really need next week against Fulham at home every supporter trying to be close to us, supporting us and helping us to get again our full energy to play the final four matches.

“It’s our objective to play again in Europe.”

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Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa (Eze 31′, Sarr 58′, 90+4′)

WEMBLEY — Eberechi Eze has never lifted a major trophy. Neither have Crystal Palace for that matter. But now they are both on the brink.

The FA Cup final awaits for Palace, who have been there twice before. They lost in 1990, and again in 2016, and while they will be underdogs on 17 May – whether they face Manchester City or Nottingham Forest – they were underdogs here but still got the better of a dishevelled Aston Villa.

And that was largely thanks to Eze, Palace’s man for the big occasion who has so often been their talisman since joining from QPR in 2020.

The Greenwich-born 26-year-old has been developing decent habits of late. Not only is he getting used to scoring screamers, but also scoring at Wembley, having netted his first for England at this storied stadium last month.

EBERE EZE. THAT IS INCREDIBLE.

An unbelievable goal from the @CPFC and @England magician #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/SD364TWvBF

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 26, 2025

On this occasion it was a fierce strike that broke the deadlock in the semi-final after 31 minutes, and while Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty miss then gave Villa hope, Ismaila Sarr scored a sumptuous second to all-but seal Palace’s place in the final.

Then it was confirmed. Eze, rightly, was named man of the match, walking off to a huge ovation from the Palace half of Wembley with minutes to go before Sarr scored his second in injury time to take this victory from convincing to emphatic.

Villa are therefore left licking their wounds and fighting for a place in the Champions League next season. In that regard, they are lagging behind, while they will also be sick of the sight of Palace, who knocked them out of the Carabao Cup in October and recently beat them 4-1 in the league to boot.

This one will hurt most of all, though, with Villa’s own wait for a major trophy set to reach 30 years, their last triumph coming in the League Cup in 1996.

Villa enjoyed more of the ball early on but had little to show for it, struggling to cut through an organised Palace side defending in front of their own supporters.

Palace fans had brought the flares inside Wembley, and while that led to smoke initially, it was Eze who brought the spark.

Eze had scored 34 minutes into Palace’s quarter-final at Fulham to bring that game to life. This time it was 31 minutes, with the England international firing from inside the D and leaving Emiliano Martinez flapping at thin air.

The fierce effort saw Villa concede from their first shot on target once more, the 22nd time this season, while Pau Torres was guilty of losing the ball to gift Palace possession.

“Eze is in a good position, and it is a good strike, but the ‘keeper has got to save it,” Wayne Rooney said on BBC at half-time.

Whether Martinez could have saved it perhaps doesn’t do the pace of Eze’s justice, and on balance it was deserved after Mateta had just seen a goal disallowed for supposedly fouling Ezri Konsa in the build-up.

After the break, Dean Henderson was on hand to deny Villa twice, keeping out John McGinn’s effort before flying to his left to save Lucas Digne’s strike from distance.

Villa were pressing but it was Palace who had a chance to go two clear, Eze earning the penalty after being fouled by Boubacar Kamara, only for Mateta to then shave the woodwork.

Martinez pointed to the sky as if he’d saved it, the Villa goalkeeper not one to shy away from theatrics, but less than 10 minutes later he was on his knees again, unable to keep Sarr’s strike out.

Villa looked rocked and the Palace end was rocking. They brought the noise to this semi-final, never shutting up. They’ll do so again in three weeks’ time, and whether they face City or Forest, no one will count them out, especially with Eze in the side.

He has brought the magic for Palace in the FA Cup, and now he is 90 minutes away from writing his name into the club’s history books. As are the whole of this steely-focused squad who look so desperate for silverware, and are so close to touching it.

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Chelsea 1-0 Everton (Jackson 27′)

STAMFORD BRIDGE — If only Chelsea had this Robert Sanchez every weekend.

The 27-year-old has become one of the most maligned and mocked players in the Premier League, often by his own supporters, for whom he has been a steady source of frustration over the past two seasons.

Chelsea followers have been spoiled by the quality of their team’s shot-stoppers, with a succession line of Petr Cech, Thibaut Courtois and Edouard Mendy (via Kepa Arrizabalaga) providing safe hands for the best part of two decades. Sanchez has rarely looked to be in the same class.

At least not consistently enough. He has the physical and technical assets to be a top keeper, a giant with springs in his boots, but has a penchant for the rash and reckless. Not ideal tendencies when you’re the last line of defence.

Unfortunately for Everton, he had one of his best days for Chelsea. Quite possibly his best.

The streamlined Spanish keeper made two superb saves, both down to his right, to maintain Chelsea’s lead and Champions League charge, denying first Beto and then Dwight McNeil with lightning-quick reflexes.

He dominated his six-yard box from corners, much to David Moyes’ annoyance, who sat down in disgust, both hands raised despairingly to his temple, after James Garner’s late corner sailed straight into Sanchez’s gloves.

Sanchez’s efforts were crucial in lifting Chelsea into the top five, a position they will remain in for at least five days when Nottingham Forest face Brentford in their game in hand.

“You could see how the teammates celebrated at the end of the game with him,” Enzo Maresca said.

“They know Robert has not been in a good moment, and they tried to support him.”

The fact that Chelsea needed Sanchez to be at his best to beat a diligent but limited Everton side at home is proof that things still aren’t quite clicking for Maresca’s side. The swaggering performances of the autumn are a distant memory.

"WHAT A SAVE!"

This stop from Robert Sánchez could be a match-winning moment

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/owFdFpPzay

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 26, 2025

It was a tough watch for the Italian, whose punishment for straying onto the pitch after Pedro Neto’s 93rd-minute winner against Fulham last weekend was a one-match ban and an afternoon spent watching the action from the press box.

“It was a disaster to be honest!” he said of his unusual vantage point, one obscured by concrete slabs and elevated plug sockets.

Maresca largely observed quietly, occasionally removing his phone from his track bottoms to relay observations to the bench to be passed on to acting dugout patroller Willy Caballero.

As Everton gained more possession and territory in the second half and anxiety crept in, the typing became more frantic as though WhatsApp messages alone could shake Chelsea back into action.

In the end, it was misplaced energy, with Nicolas Jackson’s goal ultimately proving to be enough.

Jackson has had Cole Palmer to thank for taking the spotlight off his own goalscoring struggles.

When forwards are on the type of barren run that Jackson was on –four-and-a-half months without a goal – they will take one by any means necessary: A tap-in, penalty, a deflection off their buttocks. Something easy, lucky or both.

What a strike that is

Nicolas Jackson fires Chelsea ahead just before the half-hour mark!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/aEIdJwiM0m

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 26, 2025

Jackson got his with a perfectly placed and perfectly struck shot from the edge of the box that veered past Jordan Pickford’s outstretched right arm on its way into the bottom corner. It was the sort of confident finish you’d expect of a forward on a 13-game scoring run, not a 13-game scoreless one.

Everton contributed to their own downfall, Beto losing the ball on halfway from Pickford’s pass into his feet. It took just four Chelsea touches: Trevoh Chalobah’s interception, Enzo Fernandez’s forward pass, Jackson’s first touch and finish, to carve them open.

Maresca’s Chelsea have frequently been accused of taking too many touches to do anything. Jackson’s goal was economically efficient.

Jackson’s confidence booster is good news, especially with Palmer toiling.

Palmer had the fewest touches (21) among Chelsea’s outfield players in the first half and only managed two more in the second.

He didn’t register a single shot on goal and never looked likely to end his own 17-game wait for a goal.

Maresca’s public premonition that “today could be a good day for Cole” proved unfounded. How Chelsea could benefit from their talisman sparking back into life for the run-in. They can’t rely on Sanchez every week.

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Derby County currently sit 21^st in the Championship heading into the final two games of the season, with only goal difference separating them from the drop.

However, since the arrival of former Blackburn and Birmingham manager John Eustace, the Rams have taken 17 points from their last 12 games, displaying an incredible turnaround – having only won one of 10 before his appointment.

Eustace has brought about a mental shift which has trickled through the club. Players seem more driven, fans more hopeful and morale is higher even with Derby perilously close to the relegation zone.

Before Eustace, “there was such division in the club and fan base”, Jake Barker of the RamsTalk podcast tells The i Paper.

“He has brought confidence back to the team and fans.”

Eustace’s tactical tweaks

The inclusion of Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong has worked a treat, the 18-year-old making 13 league appearances and establishing himself as a key man in the heart of the midfield.

He has operated alongside Ebou Adams, who has performed well even in defeats, registering six goals and an assist so far this season. Adams has already been named as Derby County’s Supporters’ Club Player of the Season.

Eustace has also made slight tactical reconfigurations, such as using Marcus Harness as a second striker, which has also helped Jerry Yates to regain form with three goals in his last five games.

Derby have mainly used a 3-5-2 system, allowing the wing-backs more freedom to attack in order to present more of a threat in the final third.

What Derby need to stay up

That being said, relegation back to League One is once again a serious possibility – though Eustace refuses to believe a trip to fellow strugglers Hull City is a must-win game.

“It’s a big game, which they’ve all been big games since we came in, and everyone’s looking forward to it,” he said.

“It’s a challenge to get three points. We’ll see how it affects us after the game, but the most important thing is that we’re there, we’re competitive, we stick together, win, lose or draw. We’ll have another opportunity the following week.”

Derby last dropped into the third tier in 2022 after a 21-point deduction with the club in administration. The Rams were in complete and utter disarray, but they fought back to end the season just seven points shy of survival. It only took two seasons for them to gain promotion back to the Championship.

Yet if they lose to Hull and Luton Town win, their hopes of staying up this season look thin. They would then need to beat Stoke City, who currently sit 17^th, and hope Luton lose to West Brom. It is not that far-fetched, but it would still present them with a mountain to climb, especially after Derby themselves lost to Luton earlier this month.

Navigating an injury crisis

The Rams’ recent 3-1 win away at West Brom helped to turn the ship around, but their injury list may also prove an issue going into the final two games.

They are without goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, who has a save percentage of 67.5 per cent and has even saved two of the three penalties he’s faced this season.

He will not return until next season after breaking his collarbone.

“These injuries have hit at the worst possible time,” Barker adds. “Zetterstrom being injured is a huge loss.”

Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh is also expected to be out for the season with a torn thigh muscle, while Curtis Nelson tore knee ligaments in January.

Callum Elder is another big player currently out but is not entirely ruled out, while Ryan Nyambe, Kemar Roofe, Corey Blackett-Taylor and Dajaune Brown have also been sidelined.

Nevertheless spirits remain high leading into the Hull game.

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