Premier League confirm Newcastle United v Man City referee

Eddie Howe’s side visit the home of the reigning English champions, a stadium they have not won at since October 2014 when goals from Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko sealed a 2-0 League Cup victory.

But in Premier League terms, Newcastle haven’t taken a single point from the Etihad Stadium since drawing 0-0 in November 2006. Meanwhile, their last league win was in September 2000, though that was at Man City’s old Maine Road ground.

Right, that’s the damning statistics out of the way! We’ll try and spread some positivity by saying records are there to be broken!

Premier League confirm match officials

Andy Madley has been assigned as referee which will see him take charge of his third fixture involving Newcastle this campaign.

The Huddersfield-born official was the man in the middle for the Magpies’ 3-3 draw with Liverpool at St James’ Park in December - and he didn’t escape without controversy.

Virgil van Dijk used his shoulder to hit Anthony Gordon in the face after the winger was denied by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher one-on-one. VAR reviewed the incident but took no further action, leaving Newcastle boss Howe surprised.

With the game level at 2-2, Alexander Isak was tripped by Jarrell Quansah in the area but Madley and VAR waved away Newcastle’s penalty appeals. Then, right at the death, Nick Pope launched his side on a promising counter-attack only for Madley to blow for full-time. Pope was shown a yellow card for his protests.

“I thought it was a penalty on Alex but I haven’t seen a replay, that was just an initial thought,” said Howe.

“I’m surprised by the final whistle because I think we spent around two minutes on a free-kick in extra-time but I was expecting seven minutes to be played. I think it was 5:15 when he has blown so that was a blow because it looked like we were in a good position.”

Ange Postecoglou furious after Newcastle United loss

Newcastle won 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur in their first match of 2025, though Spurs were furious at the decision to allow Gordon’s equaliser to stand.

The ball hit Joelinton’s arm in the build-up to as he closed down Lucas Bergvall. Bruno Guimaraes then picked up the ball before putting Gordon in behind. Madley awarded the goal and VAR stuck by the on-field decision.

Speaking after the game, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said: "No, because I know what everyone wants me to say but all I'll say is that on any other day, on a fair and even playing ground, we would have won that game. Simple as that.

"And don't keep asking me about the decision. If you guys have no opinion about it, that's fine. I know what my opinion is and, as I said, if that was a different day and it was an even and fair playing ground, we would have won that game."

Madley will be assisted by Nick Hopton and Craig Taylor at the Etihad, with Tim Robinson acting as fourth official. John Brooks is on VAR duty with Lee Betts as the assistant VAR.