Newcastle boss Eddie Howe: 'Football is played on the pitch, not with money'

"The match is a meeting of two teams outside of the 'big six' who have been challenging in both the Premier League and in Europe across recent seasons and ahead of their league clash at St James' Park, Unai Emery's team are third in the table, while the Magpies are sniffing around the European spots. Despite showcasing their strengths on the pitch, both clubs have been affected by the league's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), but Howe is keen to let football dictate league position, not finances."

"I'm never a believer that finances should and can dictate the league table, although everyone will tell me that the teams with the highest wage bills will ultimately finish in the high league positions. People much cleverer than me will say that the wage bill follows the league position, but I can't think that way. We have got to think differently and try and find ways to still win games to upset the status quo and finish as high as we can. That will always be my belief and that was my belief from day one in management. Football is played on the pitch -- not with the money."

Two clubs outside the traditional 'big six' are competing strongly in the Premier League and in European competition, with one occupying third place and the other challenging for European qualification. Both clubs have been constrained by the league's Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and face financial scrutiny despite sporting progress. The Deloitte Football Money League ranks clubs by revenue, placing Liverpool top and both clubs outside the top ten, which underlines revenue disparities. The focus remains on building sustainable income streams while prioritising winning matches on the field to achieve higher league positions.

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