Incredible stats show Newcastle boss Eddie Howe should be in the Manager of the Year discussion

Newcastle United's win over Crystal Palace saw the Magpies hit 40 points with five games of the season to go. It's a remarkable feat from Eddie Howe's side who were rock bottom of the Premier League at one point during the campaign.

Now, the Magpies are eying up a top-half finish with them 15 points adrift of the relegation zone. While Newcastle are some way off competing for the Premier League title that so often coincides with the Manager of the Year award, there's plenty of reasons why Howe should be part of that discussion.

Last night's win over the Eagles means Newcastle have won six consecutive Premier League games at St James' Park for the first time since April 2004, under the late great Sir Bobby Robson. In 2022 alone, they have won more top-flight games - having won nine so far - than they did throughout the whole of the 2021.

Steve Bruce's side won just eight games in the 2021 calendar year and Newcastle did not win a game in the Premier League under their former head coach this season. The Magpies did not win any of their first 14 games of the league campaign, but they've defied history under Howe.

No team in Premier League history has survived after failing to win any of their opening 14 games, but Newcastle's form since the turn of the year has been remarkable. Of course, the cash injection into the playing squad played a huge part in that, but you need just look at Fulham's promotion from the Championship a few seasons ago to realise investment does not always equate to survival.

Newcastle had just five points on Christmas Day but went on a nine game unbeaten run in the league, starting against Manchester United. A draw against Watford did nothing to ease the nerves, and defeat against Cambridge United in