Taking a look at the Premier League table from 2016/17 should give Newcastle hope they can remain in the top ten this time around.
Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle United celebrates after he scores the winning goal during the Premier League match against Stoke City.
After losing their opening two Premier League matches following promotion, Newcastle United have turned things around to win their last three fixtures and move up to fourth in the table as a result.
It would be silly to get carried away just yet, but with manager Rafa Benitez at the helm there is a genuine feeling among the fans that the Magpies can do well this season despite a difficult summer in the transfer market and ill feeling towards owner Mike Ashley.
Rafael Benitez, manager of Newcastle United.
And taking a look at the table from last year suggests there could be more good news because while top seven look strong, the rest of the division appears to be drawing closer to each other in terms of standard.
In 2016/17 just six points separated Southampton in eighth and Watford in 17th. That same gap the previous campaign was 21 points.
Jack Stephens of Southampton holds off a tackle by Tom Cleverley of Watford during the Premier League match at St Mary’s Stadium.
The top six from last term – Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United – look likely to repeat a similar feat this time around, although perhaps in a slightly different order. Everton on their own in seventh looks less sure after a shaky start, but even if the Toffees turn things around there is no reason to think Newcastle can’t still realistically finish in the top ten.
Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Hull City were effectively cut adrift in the relegation zone come the end, but aside from that there was little to choose from among the others. With an organised tactician such as Benitez as boss, the Toon have every chance of pulling just slightly further ahead of the pack.
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