Nick Pope might make Newcastle United history this weekend as the club attempts to win five consecutive top-flight home games while maintaining a clean sheet for the first time since 1907.
Newcastle’s away form has been poor this season, but their home form remains among the best in the Premier League, and no club looks forward to visiting St James’ Park.
According to the BBC, Pope is on the approach of making history at Newcastle and might play a key role in the club winning five straight league home games.
Newcastle’s impressive home form
Newcastle has a strong record at St James’ Park this season, and it should get even better. The one Premier League setback they suffered was against 10-man Liverpool earlier this year after leading 1-0 in the first half, a game that will stay with every Newcastle supporter for a long time.
They have, of course, won every previous league game in the North East, which is still a great feat in and of itself, and Eddie Howe will be keen to maintain that record following a dismal defeat to Bournemouth.
Newcastle has won four consecutive home games, all with preserving a clean sheet, against Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Brentford.
Nick Pope may not have had much to do in both games, but he will need to be at his best for Newcastle to face Chelsea, who are riding high after scoring eight goals in their last two games against Manchester City and Tottenham.
Nick Pope’s record for Newcastle
Pope was an astute signing for Newcastle last summer for £10 million, and he has continued to be one of the finest shot-stoppers in the Premier League, though many would argue that his talent on the ball is what holds him back.
Regardless, the 31-year-old is still a good keeper, with the fifth-best save % and the second-highest clean sheet percentage this season.
Though he may make the occasional error, Pope now has the opportunity to write his name in Newcastle history against Chelsea, and can ideally repeat the remarkable form he displayed last season, which was crucial in winning a Champions League spot.
There have already been calls to replace the former Burnley man in the summer, but Eddie Howe is likely to have more pressing priorities to address before looking to upgrade between the sticks.
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