Craig Hope

CRAIG HOPE: Coventry's ascent to the top tier has not been particularly pretty, and neither at times was this first home win of the season.

Craig Hope Now here was a Sky Blue victory built on honesty and decades of endurance - unlike the one at Anfield 24 hours earlier.

Newcastle have lost back-to-back away matches by the same humbling 4-1 scoreline - and there is a growing sense that results are catching up with some unconvincing performances.

CRAIG HOPE: Newcastle Confidential understands talks have accelerated between the club and Jacob Murphy over a new deal with the winger's current contract expiring next June.

CRAIG HOPE AT ST JAMES' PARK: On the day Newcastle United revealed a slower version of their Blaydon Races anthem, the team on the pitch produced a performance every bit as lumbering.

On the day Newcastle United revealed a slower version of their Blaydon Races anthem, the team on the pitch produced a performance every bit as lumbering.

From Jaissle's future and tactics to injuries and January transfer plans, CRAIG HOPE tackles your biggest questions with insight and information from inside St James' Park…

CRAIG HOPE: It's a good time to play Crystal Palace. That, at least, is the crumb of comfort being nibbled at on Tyneside. The more uncomfortable truth is that it's also a good time to play Newcastle.

CRAIG HOPE: One of the cruellest realities as to the debate around Trent Alexander-Arnold and his lost genius is that, in Madrid, no such debate exists.

One of the cruellest realities as to the debate around Trent Alexander-Arnold and his lost genius is that, in Madrid, no such debate exists.