Newcastle's Season in Jeopardy: A Campaign of Missed Opportunities

Newcastle's struggles to maintain a lead have become a defining feature of their season. With 25 points dropped from winning positions, no team has been more prone to squandering advantages. Manager Eddie Howe has termed this a 'blight' on their campaign, while Aaron Ramsdale suggests it is the story of their season. The team's inability to stop the rot has resulted in seven losses in their last 10 matches, putting pressure on Howe. Meanwhile, Tottenham's poor form has raised concerns about their chances of staying in the Premier League, with only Derby, Sunderland, and Swindon Town having endured longer winless runs to start a calendar year in the top-flight. Chelsea's Cole Palmer is also struggling to find his form, with only one goal in his past 11 appearances for club and country. In contrast, Manchester City's Rayan Cherki has been impressive, becoming the first player to register over 10 assists in their debut Premier League season since Dimitri Payet in 2015/16. Sunderland, on the other hand, has been a surprise package, with their home defensive record only bettered by Arsenal and Manchester City. Nottingham Forest's lack of cutting edge has been a major issue, with the team failing to score in eight consecutive home games. Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins is also struggling to find his form in front of goal, having missed 43 big chances since the start of last season. Finally, Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta has made a remarkable return to action, scoring three goals in two games after a four-month injury layoff.