Huddersield is a target match for Newcastle, just as Southampton was, and exactly the same scoreline would delight all on home territory.
Town damaged United as early as the second game of a long season taking three precious points at their place 1-0 and therefore the need for revenge is obvious. It simply cannot be allowed to happen again. Nor do I expect it to, I should add.
However United need their big players to step up to the plate. That means keeper Martin Dubravka dominating the penalty box as always, Lascelles playing a typical skipper’s role of dominance and defiance, Shelvey and Mo Diame establishing themselves from kick off as the midfield dictators, and chances not to be squandered by an attack line whose top goalscorer has a mere five goals entering the final run in.
As for Islam Slimani becoming the saviour of Geordies he was brought to be, I’ve given up on that thought with his parent club Leicester City next up after tomorrow.
Meanwhile Aleksandar Mitrovic, similarly on loan, is scoring for fun at Fulham, albeit a division down, and internationally for Serbia while awaiting the World Cup finals. Fate is a fickle thing.
A happy Easter for a Geordie means three points, nothing less, and the rapidly growing belief that relegation is to be banished from our minds.