- Founded 1881
- Stadium St James' Park
- Manager Matthias Jaissle
- Competition Premier League 2026-27
- Goals 10
- Goals Conceded 13
- Yellow Cards 13
- Total Red Cards
Newcastle Squawka Score ratings 2026/27
Matthias Jaissle’s first month at St James’ Park has produced goals at both ends. Newcastle drew 2-2 with Liverpool, won 2-0 at Tottenham, drew 2-2 with Bournemouth, were beaten 4-1 at Leeds and then saw off Hull City 2-1. Eight points and ninth is a reasonable return, though nine conceded in five is not the platform the new manager will want. Below, we take a look at Newcastle’s most-used XI so far and how each player has performed, based on the Squawka Score rating system.
The Squawka Score is a metric developed to assess a player’s performance relative to other players in the same position. It is shown as a percentage, and it is worth knowing that 66% is average rather than 50% – a 70% is a good afternoon and 85% or above marks out one of the best players on the pitch. Each score is calculated from a range of per-90-minute statistics, taking in the obvious numbers such as goals and assists alongside some more obscure ones that are far more position-specific. A player’s season figure is simply the average of his match ratings.
GK: Lukáš Horníček – 70% – Nineteen saves, the most of any goalkeeper in the division, from five full games, with nine conceded and one clean sheet. Eleven clearances is an unusually high number and speaks to how often he has had to come out and deal with things himself.
RB: Amar Dedić – 62% – An assist and 13 clearances from four starts, with 20 duels won and 20 lost. Six fouls and an error leading to a shot are the drag, and Newcastle have conceded seven in his four appearances.
RCB: Malick Thiaw – 61% – Thirty-five clearances, 18 aerials won and eight blocked shots from every available minute, so the raw defending is there. Two errors leading to shots are what keep the rating below average in a side that has been too easy to score against.
LCB: Sven Botman – 64% – Forty-two clearances is the most at the club, along with 26 duels won, 17 aerials and seven blocked shots. The problem is the four errors leading to shots, the worst figure of any defender in the league, and it explains why nine goals have gone in.
LB: Lewis Hall – 75% – Newcastle’s best player by a comfortable margin. A goal, an assist, 27 passes into the penalty area, 31 duels won, nine tackles won, eight blocked shots and 26 possessions regained in his own third, plus 13 corners. Very few full-backs in the league are doing this much.
RCM: Sean Steur – 62% – Two starts and 225 minutes for the young Dutchman, with 32 passes into the final third and four tackles won. An error leading to a goal is a harsh way to be introduced, and the sample is too small to judge him on.
LCM: Lewis Miley – 64% – Five starts, 44 passes into the final third, four chances created and 15 possessions regained in the middle third. An error leading to a goal is the blemish on an otherwise unfussy season from the 20-year-old.
RW: Anthony Elanga – 70% – Two goals from four shots in only three starts, with four chances created and 11 touches in the opposition box. The most efficient attacker at the club on a per-minute basis, and a case for more starts after the break.
AM: Joe Willock – 67% – Two goals from 10 shots in 287 minutes across five appearances, only three of them starts. Willock has been the most reliable source of goals from midfield, and his 0.73 xG suggests he has taken his chances well.
LW: Harvey Barnes – 65% – A goal and two assists, with six chances created, 18 passes into the penalty area and 18 touches in the opposition box. Eight shots for 0.63 xG points to a winger shooting from range more often than getting into the box.
ST: Yoane Wissa – 60% – The lowest rating in the side, and the numbers are stark: 2.11 xG from nine shots but only one goal, with four big chances missed, the joint-most in the league. Add 10 fouls, two yellows and 37 duels lost and it has been a difficult first month at his new club.
Newcastle set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Yoane Wissa
- Free-kicks: Amar Dedić, William Osula
- Corners: Lewis Hall, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga
Hall has taken 13 of Newcastle’s corners, with Barnes and Elanga on three apiece, Jacob Murphy two and Lewis Miley one. Dedić and Osula have had the two direct free-kicks. Newcastle are yet to be awarded a penalty, and with Bruno Guimarães having left the club the taker is unproven – Wissa is the natural candidate.
Newcastle FAQs
How have Newcastle started the 2026/27 season?
Solidly, if loosely. Newcastle are ninth on eight points from five games, with two wins, two draws and one defeat, and have scored nine and conceded nine.
Who is Newcastle’s best player this season?
Left-back Lewis Hall on 75%, with a goal, an assist and more duels won, tackles won and blocked shots than anyone else at the club. Lukáš Horníček and Anthony Elanga are next on 70%.
Where did Newcastle finish in the 2025/26 Premier League season?
Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League in 2025/26, taking 49 points from their 38 matches.
Who is the Newcastle manager?
Matthias Jaissle is the Newcastle manager, having replaced Eddie Howe after five years in charge.
Who is the current Newcastle captain?
Dan Burn is the current Newcastle captain, taking the armband after Bruno Guimarães, who had worn it since the summer of 2024, left the club.
Will Newcastle play in Europe in 2026/27?
Newcastle will not play in Europe during the 2026/27 season.