THE GLUT of pre-season Premier League predictions was strange in one respect – the widespread idea that Newcastle United would suffer a dip in fortunes.
While most pundits suggested Eddie Howe’s team would finish outside of the top four, filthy-rich state-funded football projects don’t often do ‘dips’.
And especially one being carried out as intelligently as Newcastle’s.
Reality bit when they demolished upwardly-mobile Aston Villa 5-1, with excellent goalscoring performances from summer signings Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes.
And while we shouldn’t reach too many conclusions from one round of matches, the two most ruthless displays of the opening weekend came from the two clubs powered by sovereign wealth.