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Chronicle Live

Sport

Lee Ryder & Ciaran Kelly & Andrew Musgrove & Aaron Stokes

Newcastle United end of season awards: Best goal, best moment, best player & more debated

Newcastle (Organization) Newcastle United Eddie Howe Jacob Murphy Joelinton Kieran Trippier Fabian Schar Alexander Isak Callum Wilson EPL

Some of the Geordie faithful never wanted the 2022/23 campaign to end for Newcastle United. While there may be trips to Madrid and Milan next time around, it will take a lot for next season to beat the one that has just concluded if you're of a black and white persuasion.

From huge wins against some of England's elite to some incredible individual displays, a host of matches, players and moments are in the running to win the award for the best in their respective category.

Our team of Chronicle Live writers have offered their view, explaining who deserves to be crowned Player of the Year, which match deserves to win Game of the Year, and much more.

Aaron Stokes - Newcastle United editor

Best Newcastle match of the season

It has to be Tottenham at home, right? So much was riding on the April clash at St James' Park as the race for the top four began to heat up. That whirlwind of an opening 20 minutes will live long in the memory as Newcastle all but ended Spurs' top four hopes.

Best Newcastle player of the season

For me, it has to be Big Jo. I could have quite easily picked four or five names for this category but the Brazilian takes it. His performance levels never drop below a 7/10 and he has proven to be a menace in both midfield or attack in recent months.

Most improved Newcastle player of the season

Again, a lot of players could pick up this award... but I'm going with Sean Longstaff. The academy graduate has raised his game at the perfect time to save his Newcastle career. He may not stand out all the time like his midfield co-star Bruno but his absence in the middle is extremely noticeable these days.

Best Newcastle goal of the season

I loved Miggy's first against Fulham. A lovely 1-2 with Bruno before an incredible outside of the foot volley into the far corner. The goal that kickstarted his purple patch in 2022.

Best Newcastle moment of the season

So, so many to come to mind but it has to go to one of the local lads. Either Burn's goal against Leicester in the Carabao Cup quarter-final or Longstaff's against Southampton in the following round. I think Burn might just nick it (only because of his post-match dance moves).

Lee Ryder - Chief Newcastle United writer

Best Newcastle match of the season

There were many candidates but I think the night West Ham were swept aside in their own backyard was probably made me believe that the Champions League dream could become a reality. This was the fourth win in a row and lifted United to third with 10 games to play, it was such an enjoyable game to report on too.

The way Callum Wilson and Joelinton played with Alexander Isak coming off the bench to score that cheeky chip made me feel the momentum was with Newcastle. And after that 5-1 win they barely looked back with fives wins and three draws to get them home.

Best Newcastle player of the season

It's a toss of a coin between Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson for me. Wilson because of his 18 goals and five assists in 31 Premier League games and Trippier for his leadership, consistency and know-how to get the team through a demanding season. When things got tough and expectations went up, the duo delivered.

Most improved Newcastle player of the season

Miguel Almiron for me even though he has been a solid performer for most of his time here. The one thing he's lacked is end product but that changed this season with 11 goals.

If Almiron rests up and comes back with the same work-rate and clinical edge he's shown this season, then he's got every chance of another good season.

Best Newcastle goal of the season

So many to choose from but my pick is definitely Jacob Murphy against Spurs. It's an aggressive steal from Fabian Schar that plays Murphy in and then from 30 yards he just lets loose with a superb strike.

Just take a look at Hugo Lloris who looks frozen in time as he can only watch it flash past him because he's rooted to the spot. One of the best keepers in the world was unable to even attempt to make a save.

Best Newcastle moment of the season

The third goal against Brighton because it really felt like a defining moment of the season. You can start with Kieran Trippier's shoulder barge to win the ball, Elliot Anderson little lay off and then Miguel Almiron's lung busting run down the right wing.

Almiron's pass and Callum Wilson's finish was followed by wild celebrations from the usually reserved Eddie Howe. It was because he knew that was probably the night things were put beyond Liverpool.

Ciaran Kelly - Newcastle United writer

Best Newcastle match of the season

Newcastle's win at Spurs back in October. The reverse fixture at St James' Park will live long in the memory for obvious reasons, but this 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium felt like a statement at the time as Newcastle moved into the top four - where they ultimately finished up.

This was not a smash and grab win against a traditional big hitter like years gone by. Newcastle displayed both sides of their game; the fearless visitors pressed high and raced into a 2-0 lead at the break before showing the spirit and resilience to see it through after Harry Kane pulled one back. There was still so much time left when Kane scored yet, tellingly, thousands of Spurs fans left the stadium early, knowing a grandstand finish was not on the cards because of how well Newcastle managed the game.

Best Newcastle player of the season

Kieran Trippier. Hands down. Trippier is the only Newcastle player to have started every Premier League game this season - and with good reason.

The England international not only offers so much in play, creating more chances than any other Newcastle player, but, also, as a leader. The way Trippier picked up the ball when Newcastle were awarded a penalty in the dying moments at Nottingham Forest was a case in point. It took the pressure off Alexander Isak for a few precious seconds before the Sweden international eventually stepped up to win the visitors the game.

Most improved Newcastle player of the season

Jacob Murphy. The winger got better as the season went on and really stepped up with some big moments, including a memorable double against Spurs. Whether he starts or comes on in the 70th minute, you know Murphy will give everything - in and out of possession. Every squad needs a player like that.

Best Newcastle goal of the season

There have been some brilliant strikes - Allan Saint-Maximin's volley at Wolves springs to mind - but I'm going to go for Jacob Murphy's tap-in against Everton.

It was all about Alexander Isak's run in the build-up - racing past Ben Godfrey, repeatedly turning Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane inside and out, slaloming into the box - before the record signing unselfishly chipped the ball across goal. Murphy could not miss.

It all happened so quickly. Watching it live at the time inside the stadium, you wondered had it really happened. Even a few months on, now, you appreciate the quality of each touch with every replay. Just how did Isak keep the ball in play?! Even Murphy looked in disbelief.

Best Newcastle moment of the season

Eddie Howe standing up to Mikel Arteta on the touchline at the Emirates. For too long Newcastle had been rolled over by the Premier League's established order on the road. Not anymore.

Andrew Musgrove - EIBW Podcast host

Best Newcastle match of the season

There are so many to choose from, and for so long it was that win against Tottenham back in October. That was the game that I labeled the biggest win under Eddie Howe and that's because I felt it was the moment those outside of the black-and-white persuasion, stood up and took notice.

As the season went on, there were other games that pushed it closed - that 2-0 win over Manchester United being one, but then Brighton arrived on Tyneside in May and that for me was a game where we saw everything great about Eddie Howe's side. It was a tactical masterclass underpinned by hard work and effort. It also showed Newcastle could adapt when they needed to and then go in for the kill. They were disciplined and clinical. And it was really the win that sealed Champions League football.

Best Newcastle player of the season

It's the man from Brazil but maybe not the one you're all thinking. I've gone for Joelinton. The man mountain in the middle. He for me has been the most consistent performer of the entire campaign - and I just love watching him. He's got an engine on him, strength, and a scary ability to carry the ball forward with ease. Now he's adding goals to his game and showing that toughness that he lacked at the very start of his time on Tyneside. A fantastic season.

Most improved Newcastle player of the season

In truth, I've thought about putting Joelinton forward for this one too as he's come on so much but really that started in the season before, so instead I'll go for Fabian Schar. Listeners to our podcast know that I was a very harsh critic of Schar during his time under Rafa Benitez and Steve Burce. I felt his game was littered with mistakes and he was too hot-headed to really become a top-class center-back.

But with a bit of work, he's become much more disciplined and switched on. He's still got a mistake in him but for the large part his game has improved so much and I'm no longer fearing when a striker gets one-on-one with him!

Best Newcastle goal of the season

I'm going to go for a bit of a wild choice here but Joelinton's first against West Ham in April is my winner. Now you watch the actual goal, it's a long ball from Schar and Joelinton runs through and rounds the keeper before putting it home. Of course, it went to VAR but Joelinton was clearly onside.

All in all, it doesn't sound goal of the year worthy, does it? But that pass from Schar was something special and Joelinton's clinical touch too.

But if you rewind the entire build-up of the goal - you'll see there were 12 passes before Schar fired the ball forward. It was Newcastle probing West Ham with a patient build-up before pressing the trigger. It was a sign of a team that was confident, and in control.

If you press me for a choice a little more mainstream, Miguel Almiron's volley against Fulham would probably take it.

Best Newcastle moment of the season

There's been so many but I'm going to go for Jacob Murphy's reaction after Newcastle United secured Champions League football. His interview with NUFC TV where he was close to tears and could barely speak. I challenge any Newcastle fan not to watch that and get a tad emotional. He was just feeling what every other Toon fan was in that moment.

Chris Knight - Newcastle United U21s writer

Best Newcastle match of the season

Possibly the obvious selection, but it is impossible to look past the statement home win over Tottenham. Given the final standings, it seems odd to recall that Spurs could have actually pulled level with Newcastle had they won at St James' Park.

In the end, the top-four showdown turned into a humiliation. For all the negatives about Tottenham's display and the fallout from the 6-1 scoreline, the Magpies were utterly sensational and perfect embodied their newfound ruthless streak.

The win not only put Howe's side firmly in the box seat in the top-four race, it also cast doubt over whether the Premier League's 'Big Six' era was already at an end.

Best Newcastle player of the season

Kieran Trippier will celebrate his 33rd birthday next season, but the stand-in skipper has shown no signs of slowing down. The right-back was the only player to start every Premier League fixture this season, and has proven integral in both defence and attack.

Trippier's elite qualities on and off the pitch have helped quickly elevate the standards at the club. It was telling that while others shirked the question, the England international consistently stressed Newcastle should not be shy in outlining their Champions League ambition during the run-in.

Harrison Ashby may well be a star of the future, but the January signing could be waiting a while for his opportunity judging by Trippier's excellence this term.

Most improved Newcastle player of the season

Plenty of contenders again in this category, so I will start with a number of honourable mentions. Fabian Schar has proven previous managers wrong in a back four, Joelinton has evolved again from his midfield enforcer role, while Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy have both delivered beyond expectations in the final third.

However, I think the award this season should go to Sean Longstaff, with the academy midfielder proving himself an essential cog in the team. The 25-year-old was a squad option under Howe last season, with many expecting him to depart at the end of his contract last summer.

Fast forward a year, and Longstaff's absence with a foot injury in the run-in destabilised Newcastle's midfield balance. The boyhood fan will face a fight to keep his starting spot next season, but has been the standout surprise package this term.

Best Newcastle goal of the season

This is another tough category to call, but I am going to go for Miguel Almiron's volley at Fulham. It came at the start of the former MLS star's purple patch, and was a hint of the combinations down the right flank which would prove so fruitful for the rest of the season.

In the context of the season too, the victory at the Craven Cottage albeit against ten men was crucial. It was Newcastle's first victory since the opening day, and proved to be the catalyst for five further wins before the World Cup break which put the Magpies third at Christmas.

Best Newcastle moment of the season

The final once again ended in heartbreak, but I think the moment of the season has to stem from the Carabao Cup run. Newcastle have for too long have dismissed these domestic competitions, but this season hopefully proves fans will not have to wait another 24 years for a Wembley day out.

Burn's first goal in black-and-white in the quarter-final win over Leicester City, or Longstaff's double in the semi-final second leg win over Southampton come close. But I reckon the Toon Army takeover of Trafalgar Square - complete with a covert appearance from Ghodoussi and Reuben - just about pips them both.