The Magpies beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in their game on Sunday (05.10.25) - placing Newcastle 11th in the Premier league - and Pardew, 64, has now insisted his old side could be real contenders for the title this season.

During an appearance on The Final Word podcast, Pardew - who managed Newcastle from 2010 to 2014 - said: “Newcastle just picking up the speed a little bit and they’ve got [Yoane] Wissa to come back as well who's going to be a massive help to them in terms of forward momentum.

“I think Newcastle definitely are in the shout for perhaps even winning the league. I know that it's hard to think that at the moment.”

Pardew added current head coach Eddie Howe, 47, had “enough tools in his little kit bag” to secure Newcastle glory this season, especially after the manager ended The Magpie’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by winning the EFL Cup in March.

Pardew continued: “I think they're definitely a contender, I do. When I look at the other teams, if I was Eddie with the squad he's got and the momentum, he's got the crowd firmly on his side.

“I'm talking about the manager. He's got enough tools in his little kit bag there, been together for a few years now.

“They've obviously got the cup out of the way last year in terms of winning a trophy, less pressure on them, I think they've got a massive chance.”

Newcastle were handed victory through second-half goals from Bruno Guimaraes and Nick Woltemade.

Following The Magpies’ win, Howe said he was “very pleased” Newcastle had secured another clean sheet.

He said: “Very pleased with the whole team and how we’re defending at the moment, and have been for the majority of the season.”

“[Goalkeeper] Nick [Pope] didn’t have a lot to do today, but what he did do, he did well. But the team in front of him I think were excellent in their mentality to make sure we kept a clean sheet.”