Newcastle's Season Unravels: A Story of Missed Opportunities

Newcastle's inability to hold onto leads has been a recurring theme this season. If they had managed to salvage just half of the points they lost from winning positions, they would be sitting in fifth place. Instead, they find themselves struggling to stay afloat, having dropped 25 points from advantageous positions, the most in the league. This trend has been dubbed a 'blight' on their season by Eddie Howe, and it's an issue that needs urgent attention. The team's recent form has been dismal, with seven losses in their last 10 matches, and the pressure is mounting on Howe. The feeling that his future may be tied to the team's European status is growing, and the fans are starting to lose patience. Meanwhile, Tottenham's poor run of form has raised concerns about their ability to stay in the Premier League. Their 1-0 defeat to Sunderland has left them looking like convincing relegation contenders, with only Derby, Sunderland, and Swindon Town having endured longer winless runs to start a calendar year in the top-flight. Cole Palmer's struggles at Chelsea have also been a topic of discussion, with the young star failing to score in his last 11 appearances for club and country. In contrast, Rayan Cherki has been a revelation for Manchester City, 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, have been impressive in their first season back in the Premier League, with a strong home record and a squad that has gelled well under Regis Le Bris's management. Nottingham Forest's inability to score at home has been a major concern, with just 14 of their 32 Premier League goals coming on home soil. Ollie Watkins's struggles in front of goal have also been a topic of discussion, with the Aston Villa striker drifting into a category of players who are developing a reputation for missing big chances. Finally, Jean-Philippe Mateta's return to form at Crystal Palace has been a welcome boost for the club, with the striker scoring three goals in two games and proving himself to be a vital component of the team.