Hits & misses: Fire has gone from Howe's Magpies | Should Silva give someone else a go?

The fire has gone from Howe's Newcastle Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Newcastle’s match against Bournemouth in the Premier League There was a moment as the clock ticked towards stoppage-time that the Sky Sports commentator predicted great roars once the nine minutes of additional time were revealed to the crowd. He had to backtrack. There were no more than a few murmurs. These Newcastle supporters knew no comeback was likely to occur at St James' Park. Bournemouth were too strong for them. This was a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions. It was a fifth Premier League defeat in six games in front of their own fans. Live Premier League table | Watch FREE PL highlightsGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺What has happened to Newcastle? It was they as much as Bournemouth who were famed for their intensity under Eddie Howe, hunting down opponents off the ball. But something is missing and even the man in charge is struggling to put his finger on it."We are not delivering, we know, anywhere near a good enough product at the moment and we are trying to find the answers to that," Howe told Sky Sports afterwards. With five games to go, Newcastle are 14th and slipping. Leeds look capable of catching them too. For context, they are on course for their lowest Premier League finish since their return to the top division under Rafa Benitez. Even the unpopular Steve Bruce finished higher than this. While Howe's achievements are appreciated, it is desperately disappointing. The bigger concern, of course, is what this means for the entire project regardless of the coach. Does the ambition to compete with the biggest clubs in Europe remain? Whatever the answer to that question, Howe finds himself under intense scrutiny now.Adam Bate Iraola could leave Bournemouth in EuropeIn the first game since Andoni Iraola revealed that he will leave Bournemouth in the summer, his side extended their unbeaten run to 13 games as they deservedly defeated Newcastle 2-1 at St James' Park. Their European ambitions this season are real.The Cherries were by far the better side in the first half and bounced back from William Osula's equaliser to grab the winner from Adrien Truffert's foray forward. There is an intensity to their game that catches the eye - and catches their opponents out.Newcastle 1-2 Bournemouth - Match report & highlightsAs it happened | Teams | StatsIraola will have his suitors once the season is over but whether those teams are in the Premier League or back home in the Basque Country, how many of his options will be in better shape than his Bournemouth? They are up to eighth in the Premier League table.At the full-time whistle, that had them level on points with Chelsea and Brentford above them. And in superior form. "We are in a great place, great run of results. We are arriving to the important part of the season. We have our chances," Iraola told Sky Sports."It is difficult because we have teams ahead of us but we have five games to try to catch these teams, to try to continue playing well and keep this unbeaten run going as long as we can. Because these players have shown they are not taking days off."Bournemouth will be favourites to beat Leeds and Crystal Palace in their next two matches - both at home. By that point, it would be no great surprise if they are in sixth spot and closing in on European football for the first time. Some parting gift from Iraola.Adam BateQuestion marks over Silva era amid contract situation Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Brentford’s match against Fulham in the Premier League For Fulham, European qualification seems like a long shot. With five games to go, they simply haven't done enough on the road to justify making the top seven or eight spots.The Cottagers are on a run of just one win in eight away from home in the league. A measly total of 35.6 per cent of Fulham's 45 points in the Premier League have been picked up on the road - it's the second-lowest tally in the division, only above bottom club Wolves.There are just too many question marks about Marco Silva's squad. Rodrigo Muniz or Raul Jimenez up front? Is Emile Smith Rowe or Josh King the best option behind the striker? Where is Alex Iwobi's best position, midfield or out wide? From the best choice right-back, to Oscar Bobb's suitability in the team, the list can go on and on.After the draw at Brentford, Silva once again swatted away any news on whether his contract talks are progressing - and there's also no update on star winger Harry Wilson.With Wilson's exit edging closer and Silva seemingly struggling to understand his best team, are these the signs that it may be best for Fulham head coach to give someone else a go, and guide a new era containing more clarity at the club?Sam BlitzBrentford's Europe bid is going staleFive draws in a row for Brentford, six if you count the FA Cup fifth-round loss to West Ham on penalties. The stalemates are showing that Brentford's European bid is going stale.At full-time, Hard-Fi's song Hard to Beat rang round the Gtech Community Stadium and that is certainly the case. But a third goalless draw in five Premier League games are showing that Brentford are becoming hard to watch too.Watching Brentford was once a guaranteed hit with goals flying in at the Gtech. But they still haven't won at home since January 7 - and it's all becoming a bit stuck for Keith Andrews, particularly at the top end of the pitch. They have the second-top goalscorer in Igor Thiago in their team, but there's not enough depth around him.Brentford's lack of options can clearly be seen through the fact they failed to make a substitution against Fulham. They only made one in the 2-2 draw with Everton - with not enough trust put in the likes of Reiss Nelson and exciting young winger Romelle Donovan to win the game off the bench.Brentford's injury list is significant with no Vitaly Janelt, Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Rico Henry. But a lack of reliable options raises the question: if Brentford do make Europe, is it really worth it for them given their thin squad?Sam BlitzIn-form Okafor key to Leeds survival Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Leeds' match against Wolves in the Premier League Not too many people would have had Noah Okafor as being key to Leeds United's recent upturn in form that has seen Daniel Farke's side move well clear of the drop zone, but the Swiss striker is in many ways symbolic of the club's unexpectedly impressive campaign.Leeds 3-0 Wolves - Match report & highlightsAs it happened | Teams | StatsSigned from AC Milan in August, the 25-year-old took his time to settle in his new surroundings, often being used as an impact sub by Farke, before hitting a rich vein of form of late to help move his new team away from danger.In the German's new 3-5-2 formation, which he crucially switched to in a 3-2 loss at Man City at the end of November, Okafor plays just off No 9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with the duo dovetailing nicely in attack.So much so that after a run of 16 consecutive league appearances without either a goal or an assist between October 2025 and January 2026, Okafor has now been involved in six goals across his last five appearances, netting five times, including both a brace in the 2-1 win at Man Utd on Monday Night Football, followed by another in the 3-0 victory over Wolves at Elland Road on Saturday.In fact, only United's Bruno Fernandes, with 10, has been involved since the beginning of February.Rich Morgan