The night (5 November 2025) when Qarabag drew 2-2 with Chelsea, I had managed to get a ticket in the Platinum Club for our Athletic Club Bilbao match.
I was perfectly positioned looking up towards the Leazes, to see Dan Burn score THAT header 11 minutes in.
Those fans who had my kind of view, would have been amongst the very first inside St James’ Park to realise where it was going to end up.
BDB’s header initially looking set to go yards wide but I/we then saw the curl he put on it and before it went in, I/we could see what was going to happen.
One of those moments when I was so glad to be there in person.
From the Platinum Club, I also had very decent view looking across as Joelinton powered his header home at the Gallowgate end just after the break, to make the game safe.
A bonus before kick-off, was that I was able to watch the Qarabag 2 Chelsea 2 (early kick-off played before ours) second half (Standing on a carpet, drinking snakebite out of a proper glass, living the dream!) that night.
Chelsea were terrible and their players showing their (lack of) character, the pitch was like a ploughed field in places and Maresca’s men clearly didn’t fancy it.
Looking today ahead of our match in Azerbaijan, I will also be watching this Qarabag match with carpet beneath my feet and a drink in hand. However, this will be watching on TV in our living room, a trip to Baku not possible for a number of reasons. Shame, as I am sure our lot will be having a class time over there.
I think this could be the perfect set-up for Newcastle United against Qarabag away.
Only Barca and Borussia Dortmund had more goals in their eight Swiss League phase matches than Qarabag.
36 Barcelona (scored 22, conceded 14)
36 Borussia Dortmund (scored 19, conceded 17
34 Qarabag (scored 13, conceded 21)
33 Real Madrid (scored 21, conceded 12)
33 FC Copenhagen (scored 12, conceded 21)
Newcastle United way down that list with only 24 goals in our eight matches, scoring 17 and conceding only seven (only Arsenal conceded less than NUFC, only four in their eight games). However, we have been threatening to score more in many games, in all competitions…
Qarabag scored nine goals in their four home matches, scoring two at least in each of them, they will attack for sure tonight and it could/should be perfect for our counter attack.
I would be amazed if Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga (the two quickest players of all those left in the Champions League! See this report and analysis) don’t start. Joe Willock as well.
I suppose only if we allowed them to go a couple up, Qarabag might try and shut up shop, but even then I doubt it. I don’t think that is the way they play.
If Newcastle United can score first and the home side pile forward even more, then this could definitely be the game potentially, where we score the number of goals we have been threatening.
So put the house on 0-0!!