Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has delivered a positive assessment of Newcastle United's start to the new Premier League campaign. The former Manchester United defender highlighted the team's resilience following a dramatic opening-week defeat and subsequent victories.
Neville's comments come as Newcastle sit 6th in the Premier League table with 4 points from their first two matches. They have scored 4 goals and conceded 2, leaving them just 2 points behind early leaders Manchester City. The pundit was particularly struck by the team's performance against Liverpool at St James' Park.
Gary Neville admitted he was surprised by Newcastle's display in their season opener. "I went up to St James' Park last week thinking there was going to be turmoil and never expected them to do what they did against Liverpool," Neville said. He noted the visible disappointment of manager Matthias Jaissle after the 96th-minute penalty conceded to lose the match. "Matthias Jaissle was gutted last week with that 96th minute goal from Liverpool, you could see it on his face and naturally so."
The narrow defeat could have derailed early momentum, but Newcastle responded emphatically. They secured a victory over Tottenham Hotspur in their second league fixture, a result Neville described as "fantastic." This was followed by a midweek Carabao Cup win against West Bromwich Albion, giving the Magpies two wins and a draw from their first three competitive outings under Jaissle.
Neville acknowledged the significant turnover at the club this summer, which saw several key figures depart. "I am sure the players will have been asking questions a few weeks ago, with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Kieran Trippier, Eddie Howe all leaving, massive parts of the recent Newcastle team and squad and management," he stated. Despite this exodus, the team's strong start has impressed the pundit. "I was pleasantly surprised... I am happy for Newcastle United, well done to them."
The club continues to reshape its squad, with Matias Fernandez-Pardo set to be announced as the eighth summer signing on Tuesday. This activity is key as the team manages a current injury list that includes Dan Burn, Joelinton, and William Osula. Fans can track the latest squad news on our dedicated squad page.
Newcastle's early form has them well-placed in the standings. With a record of one win, one draw, and no losses from two Premier League games, their goal difference stands at +2. This solid foundation is important ahead of a busy schedule. The next test is a home fixture against Bournemouth, who are 14th in the table, on September 5th. Supporters can view the full schedule on our fixtures hub and check the latest standings as the season develops.
The immediate focus for Jaissle and his players is maintaining this positive momentum. The victory over Tottenham demonstrated the team's ability to bounce back from adversity, a trait that will be vital throughout a long season. With new signings integrating and key players working to return from injury, the early signs at St James' Park are encouraging. Newcastle United host Bournemouth at St James' Park on Saturday, September 5th.
