Howe hits back at United keeper situation with pressure mounting

Eddie Howe has insisted he has 'no favourites' at Newcastle United amid calls to rotate goalkeepers.

- by Dominic Scurr

Nick Pope has been Newcastle United's No 1 since signing for the club.

Nick Pope's mistake in Newcastle's 2-1 defeat at Marseille proved costly in the Champions League and has seen supporters and members of the media call for summer loan signing Aaron Ramsdale to come into the side as goalkeeper. Injuries aside, Pope has started almost every Premier League match for Newcastle since arriving at the club.

Naturally, goalkeepers experience less rotation than their outfield teammates, but Pope's place in the side has come under increased scrutiny after a series of goal-costing errors.

A mistimed rush out for the ball in Newcastle's opening preseason defeat at Celtic in July was perhaps an early warning sign of what was to come from Pope.

After keeping four clean sheets in Newcastle's first five league games, Pope was putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Arsenal at St James' Park before his failed clearance led to a winner for the Gunners.

The 33-year-old was criticised for the goals conceded at West Ham United after the Magpies threw away an early lead to lose 3-1 at the London Stadium. Pope's clash with Sven Botman led to Brentford's equaliser in United's previous Premier League away match as the side once again went from winning 1-0 to losing 3-1.

At Marseille, Newcastle led early once more only for Pope to gift the hosts an equaliser as he rushed out and was beaten to the ball by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 15 seconds into the second half.