There have been numerous times throughout the campaign that Newcastle United must have felt like they had reached a crossroads.
And oftentimes, it must have felt like they had taken the wrong turn. Just over two months of the season remain, and the Magpies are ninth in the Premier League and out of both domestic cups, beaten on both counts by Manchester City.
However, could things be coming together at the critical moment? Eddie Howe's side were dismayed to have drawn with Barcelona in the Champions League last week, Lamine Yamal converting a last-gasp equaliser to salvage an undeserved point.
Newcastle
The return leg promises fireworks, and the intervening Premier League win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge suggests that the Toon have hit a purple patch that could spark one of the most unforgettable nights in the club's long history.
How Newcastle can beat Barcelona
At Camp Nou, Barcelona are going to prove a different kettle of fish, more incisive and furious in attempting to disassemble Howe's defensive set-up.
In beating Chelsea, Newcastle showed they have the mental strength to split their focus across domestic and continental fronts, but in regard to the physical task in front of them on Wednesday evening, the Magpies will need to be more efficient in attack.
They learned from their group stage defeat to the La Liga table-toppers that they cannot allow them to enter a flow state on the ball. Barca had more possession at St. James' Park, but they only created two big chances and struggled to deal with the hosts' intensity throughout.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
Newcastle are also going to need their stars to step up, rising to the occasion in a way that is more about mentality and inner belief than any coaching methods Howe can instil into his players.
Anthony Gordon will be important in the final third, but there's another Tyneside talent who could be the main man, as he was last week.
£70m star would walk into Barca's team
Yamal might have converted the spot kick that sealed a crucial point for Barcelona, but the prodigious forward was reduced to a shadow of his usual self by Lewis Hall, who just keeps going from strength to strength at Newcastle.
lewis-hall-newcastle
Injuries have routinely pulled the dynamic left-back away from the ascendancy since he joined Newcastle from Chelsea in 2023, initially on loan before completing a permanent £35m move.
Last season, Hall only started 24 times in the Premier League and missed the final few months of the campaign with an ankle injury, but he's become increasingly important this term, and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson hailed his performance against Yamal and Barcelona as "one of the best" he'd ever seen.
Lewis Hall's Recent Performances
Stats
Minutes played
Goals + Assists
Goals Conceded
Touches
Accurate passes
Chances created
Crosses
Dribbles
Recoveries
Tackles won
Interceptions
Clearances
Duels won
To follow that up only days later with another standout showing at Stamford Bridge was some feat, and it's likely dawning on the wider world that Newcastle boast a truly special talent, someone who could become a superstar for the Three Lions.
Silencing someone like Yamal is inevitably going to shoot right to the top of the highlight reel, but the truth is that Hall has been consistent throughout the term. Without him, Howe's side would be in an inferior league position, for sure.
He is one of the most powerful and proactive dribblers in the Premier League, ranking within the top 4% of full-backs for successful dribbles per 90. Moreover, his 7.31 duels won per game is an absurd haul, and evidence of a robust and multi-faceted player who is coming into his own.
It's really no surprise that so many elite suitors are beginning to take note. In fact, recent reports suggest that Arsenal and Manchester City have stormed into the race for the 21-year-old, who United have priced at £70m, double what they paid for him only a few years ago.
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall in action with FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo and Lamine Yamal
Hall is getting better and better, on his way to becoming recognised globally as one of the best left-backs in the world. He'd walk into Barcelona's team, and if they are foiled by his hands-on style this week, there's no question that his stock will rise even higher.
Newcastle's Anthony Gordon Related
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Newcastle have moved back into the top half of the Premier League with a win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.