Newcastle United v Man City - Joe Buck preview
Newcastle United v Manchester City: The Premier League have revealed who will referee the clash between Eddie Howe and Pep Guardiola’s sides.
Newcastle United host Manchester City on Saturday (5:30pm kick-off) aiming to put back-to-back defeats before the international break behind them.
The Magpies entered the final break of the year sat 14th in the Premier League table and just two points above the relegation zone. Whilst returning to St James’ Park for the first time in almost a month will give them a major boost this weekend, they know they will be up against it when they take on Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester City defeated Liverpool in their last outing and with Erling Haaland in red-hot form, they will be very confident of taking all three points from their visit to Tyneside. Eddie Howe, meanwhile, has never defeated Guardiola in a Premier League match with his only victory over his opposite number coming in the Carabao Cup over two years ago.
With a very busy fixture schedule to come, both sides will be desperate to kickstart their festive calendar with a statement win this weekend.
Premier League confirm Newcastle United v Man City referee
Ahead of the return of Premier League football following the international break, the PGMOL and Premier League have revealed that Sam Barrott will referee Saturday evening’s game between the Magpies and the Citizens. Barrott has yet to referee either club this season and was the man in the middle for Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United before the international break.
Barrott last refereed Newcastle United in January when they defeated Southampton 3-1 at St Mary’s - one in which he awarded the Magpies a penalty that was converted by Alexander Isak. Barrott was also referee when Newcastle United dispatched Brentford by the same scoreline a month previous to book their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
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Saturday’s game will be just the third time that Barrott has refereed a game at St James’ Park, with his first appearance on Tyneside coming during their 3-0 win over Fulham in December 2023. On that day, Fulham boss Marco Silva was aggrieved when Raul Jimenez was sent off for a clash with Sean Longstaff.
Barrott didn’t initially show the Mexican a red card, but overturned his decision when instructed to take a second look by VAR. Silva would go on to criticise the referee’s performance post-match, questioning if he was too inexperienced for the game as well as complaining about a call that went against his side when Jamaal Lascelles appeared to catch Jimenez with an elbow just minutes before the latter’s red card: “It was a really strange performance from the referee from the first minute to the last minute,”Silva said.
"Lascelles cleared elbowed Raul and not even a foul. I'm not saying red card, but a clear foul. You need referees with experience and to be able to handle the pressure.”
Asked if the referee was not experienced enough, Silva added: “Clearly, no doubt.”
This weekend, Barrott will be assisted by Tim Wood and Nick Greenhalgh. Leigh Doughty will be on fourth official duty between the two dugouts.
VAR at Stockley Park will be operated by Craig Pawson. He will be assisted by Nick Hopton.
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