Newcastle United ended the month unbeaten after recording an impressive three wins out of four matches.
After returning from a six-day stay in Jeddah, with Eddie Howe aiming for his side to be a more “united group” from their warm weather training camp, the Magpies continued where they left off against Leeds with home triumphs over Everton and Aston Villa.
Matt Targett and Bruno Guimarães both tasted victory in their debuts, both against the Toffees, while Geordie defender Dan Burn would keep an impressive clean sheet on his maiden bow for his boyhood club against the Villans.
By the end of the month, Newcastle had eased relegation fears and were beginning to look up the table after extending their unbeaten Premier League run to seven matches for the first time since November 2011.
Tuesday, 8th February
Newcastle United 3 Everton 1
Despite falling behind, Newcastle claimed back-to-back league wins as well as moving out of the relegation zone in a memorable victory under the lights at St. James’ Park.
Jamaal Lascelles’ own goal sent Frank Lampard’s side ahead before the Magpies skipper atoned for his misfortune a minute later as the defender’s header crashed off the crossbar before rebounding into the net off Mason Holgate.
Ryan Fraser’s tap-in turned the game in Newcastle’s favour before Kieran Trippier netted his first goal for the club in sensational fashion, firing a long-range free-kick past Jordan Pickford before wheeling away to celebrate in front of a delighted Gallowgate End.
Sunday, 13th February
Newcastle United 1 Aston Villa 0
Trippier’s second free-kick in as many matches earned Newcastle a third successive Premier League victory in a tight encounter against Steven Gerrard’s Villa.
The England international, a doubt coming into the game, repeated his heroics against Everton after slamming the ball home past Emiliano Martínez but was forced off shortly after the restart, suffering a fracture in his foot.
Ollie Watkins looked to have drawn Villa level after nodding home at the back post but, following a VAR check, the goal was overturned after the striker had strayed into an offside position.
Saturday, 19th February
West Ham United 1 Newcastle United 1
Newcastle picked up a respectable point on their first of two trips to London, with Joe Willock’s first goal of the season sharing the spoils against the Champions League chasing Hammers.
With Trippier and Allan Saint-Maximin missing the trip to the London Stadium due to injury, the Magpies trailed following Craig Dawson’s header from Aaron Cresswell’s free-kick.
On the stroke of half-time, Joe Willock netted his first goal of the season after reacting to Declan Rice’s poor attempted clearance before the ball trickled over the line.
Saturday, 26th February
Brentford 0 Newcastle United 2
Newcastle’s first Premier League clash at the Brentford Community Stadium was a successful one as the Magpies registered a 2-0 win in West London.
After a VAR review, Josh Dasilva received a red card in the opening stages following a foul on Matt Targett before Joelinton’s splendid header from Ryan Fraser’s cross broke the deadlock.
Joe Willock doubled United’s advantage before the half-time break, the midfielder’s second goal in as many matches, in a game which saw the return of Christian Eriksen following the Dane’s cardiac arrest sustained at Euro 2020 last summer.
https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/features/202122-season-review-february/
