Bewildering and bewitching Newcastle seek solution to end chaos is the headline of a Guardian article published on December 25, 2025, written by Louise Taylor, previewing Newcastle United’s Premier League match against Manchester United on Boxing Day.

The piece describes Eddie Howe’s Newcastle team as inconsistent and unpredictable: capable of thrilling, high-intensity performances that excite fans (“bewitching” on good days), but also prone to unreliability, failing to show up in key moments, and struggling with second-half game management that often descends into “chaos” (“bewildering” due to dropped points and tactical flaws).
Key points from the article:
Newcastle have dropped 13 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, highlighting poor defending of leads (e.g., a recent 2-2 draw with Chelsea after leading 2-0 at halftime).
Their all-out attacking style leads to entertaining football but exposes vulnerabilities, especially with a packed fixture schedule across four competitions (Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup semi-final vs. Manchester City, and FA Cup).
Injuries (e.g., defenders like Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, and Kieran Trippier unavailable) and squad depth issues compound the problems.
Howe remains optimistic, emphasizing the team’s potential, but suggests needs like better possession control, tempo management, and occasional pragmatism (e.g., settling for draws) to reduce chaos.
Overall, it portrays Newcastle as an exciting but frustrating side searching for consistency amid a demanding season.

Expanded Description of the Article
The Guardian article by Louise Taylor, published on Christmas Day 2025, paints a vivid picture of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United as a team that’s equal parts exhilarating and exasperating—hence the alliterative headline capturing their “bewildering” unpredictability and “bewitching” flair.
Core Themes:
Unreliable Excitement: Fans view the team like an “unreliable friend”—brilliant and party-starting on good days (high-intensity, attacking football), but no-shows on others. Key players like the usually reliable Sandro Tonali have dipped in form, contributing to erratic performances.
Second-Half Chaos: A recurring issue is poor game management after taking leads. Newcastle have dropped 13 points from winning positions this season, the most glaring example being the recent 2-2 draw with Chelsea (December 20, 2025), where they led 2-0 at halftime (both goals from Nick Woltemade) but collapsed in a “frenetic” and “chaotic” second half, allowing Chelsea back via a free-kick and equalizer.
All-Out Attack vs. Pragmatism: Howe’s philosophy is “we always try to win,” leading to entertaining, aggressive play. However, the article argues for a “middle way”: better possession retention, tempo control in midfield, and occasional pragmatism (e.g., settling for draws) to kill games off and reduce vulnerability.
Squad Strain and Injuries: Competing in four competitions (Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup semi-final vs. Manchester City, FA Cup) is stretching a thin squad. A severe defensive injury crisis exacerbates this—heading into the Boxing Day clash at Old Trafford, Newcastle are without key defenders like Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Sven Botman, and Jamaal Lascelles. The article suggests Howe might regret not rotating/weakening teams in early cup rounds to ease the January fixture pile-up.
Tactical Questions: The preferred 4-3-3 isn’t always effective anymore. Player inconsistencies highlight issues: Anthony Elanga hasn’t displaced Jacob Murphy on the right, while Anthony Gordon embodies the team’s “extreme inconsistency” on the left. A potential switch to a back three is mooted but hampered by injuries.
Howe’s Optimism Amid Frustration: Despite the flaws, Howe remains “glass half full,” highlighting positives like potential Champions League knockout progression and overall team evolution. He acknowledges problems but insists “we don’t just have problems.”
Broader Context (as of December 25, 2025):
Newcastle sit around 11th-12th in the Premier League after 17 games (roughly 6 wins, several draws/losses), far below pre-season expectations of challenging the top four. Recent form includes the Chelsea draw, a Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Fulham, but a painful derby loss to Sunderland. The article positions the upcoming Manchester United game as a chance to address these issues, though both teams are inconsistent and injury-hit.
Overall, it’s a balanced but critical piece: praising the thrilling potential while urging solutions to the self-inflicted “chaos” that’s costing points and frustrating fans. Taylor suggests improved maturity and squad management could unlock the “bewitching” side more consistently.