Newcastle blitzed by Barca as Arsenal + Man City do battle at Wembley
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Newcastle United
Barcelona in the early game on Wednesday blew Newcastle away 7-2, 8-3 on aggregate. That's the joint most goals conceded by an English side in a single game in a major European competition ever.
English clubs in Europe
28 goals conceded over the two legs for the four English teams that went out. Everyone's got a theory about this. Is it just freak results, tactical ineptitude, fatigue?
I think the reality is probably somewhere in the middle. English teams do have a lot more money, there are inequalities, but teams from the continent can still beat them. That also doesn't mean that English teams are all terrible and need a winter break desperately.
Tottenham relegation battle
I think the Nottingham Forest game is the biggest game of the season. Jack Pitt-Brooke described it as the biggest league game in a generation for Spurs.
Carabao Cup final
I think if Arsenal win the Carabao Cup, it's the first domino in what could be a historic season. If they don't win, I think the Mikel Arteta team will handle it okay, but you worry for the fan base.
Champions League goal scoring
68 goals scored across the eight last 16 ties. That's by six goals from 2016-17. Eight and a half goals per tie. It's edging towards getting silly.
Newcastle United fatigue
The way that Eddie Howe likes Newcastle to play, last season they had the highest share of time spent sprinting in and out of possession more than any other side. It's not sustainable to play European games in midweek and then domestic games in the league to the same extent.
Premier League title race
It is incredible that in all competitions Arsenal only lost three games. City have lost nine.
Leeds United relegation
Leeds have had three wins in their last 16 Premier League matches. They are the team that perhaps people are sleeping on in terms of the relegation battle.
Barcelona squad
Barcelona's average age is 25 years and 18 days. It is mad that Lamine Yamal is less than half of Robert Lewandowski's age.
