Newcastle United director reveals Mehrdad Ghodoussi’s pre-match tradition - ‘works every time’

Newcastle United co-owners Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben’s pre-match tradition was back to being a good omen following the 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Eddie Howe’s men ended a run of six games without a win by edging past Wolves at St James’ Park. Hwang Hee-Chan’s 70th-minute equaliser cancelled out Alexander Isak’s first-half opener before substitute Miguel Almiron netted the winner, 11 minutes from time.

The three points got the Magpies back on the European track - moving up to fifth in the Premier League table, with the delight of Howe & Co shared by the club’s owners.

Before each match, Reuben revealed he and Ghodoussi shared a ritual. The Magpies board member tweeted: “Shot before game tradition still unbroken.” Replying after the game, Ghodoussi said: “Works every time.”

The win over Wolves also saw the return of the iconic dressing room photo, which also prompted a response from Ghodoussi. He tweeted: We’ve missed these! Howay the lads!”

Howe’s side can move one point behind fourth place Tottenham Hotspur with three points at Nottingham Forest on Friday night (kick-off 8pm). Stand-in skipper Kieran Trippier has not hidden his desire to chase Champions League qualification.

“We shouldn’t be shy to say that (the top four is within reach),” Trippier told Sky Sports yesterday. “We’re in a great position in the league. We’ve got to take it a game at a time but we’ve got to attack every single game.

“As a club, we want to be in Europe. We want to be in the Champions League but we know how relentless this league is - we know how tough the games are. We’ve got to stick together. (There are) 13 more tough matches, and (we will) see where we are at the end of May.”