Souness's soaring Magpies in full flight

Graeme Souness is being looked at as the manager who can lead Newcastle to long-awaited success.

The Toon, an army of supporters that have followed the side through thick and thin, are now keen to watch their team being mentioned among the favourites.

Even if they were crowned Football League champions in 1992-93, the club's last major honour was in 1969 when they lifted the Fairs Cup. Their last domestic prize was the FA Cup in 1955.

The fans have longed for someone of Souness' calibre to get them back to the glory days. The Scot appears to be on track to earn a piece of silverware this season.

Newcastle reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup this week after a 7-1 aggregate win over Olympiakos, of Greece.

Last Sunday, they saw off Tottenham to earn a place in the last four of the FA Cup.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd has joined Souness to try and convince Alan Shearer - scorer in every round of the UEFA Cup - to stay for another season at St James' Park. He also warned Craig Bellamy, on loan at Celtic, that he has no future at Tyneside.

Backed by a run of eight straight victories, Newcastle square up to Portsmouth at Fratton Park today.

Dutchman Ronald Koeman is in the running to become Pompey's new manager.

Chelsea vs C. Palace. After bagging another three points at home to West Brom on Tuesday, Chelsea will be looking to gain more ground on their rivals for the title with another victory against Crystal Palace.

Following the dramatic aggregate win over Barcelona in the Champions League, Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has been labelled an enemy of football by UEFA referees' chairman Volker Roth.

Roth made the statement after Swedish referee Anders Frisk (controlled the match at the Nou Camp) retired from the scene after he received death threats. Mourinho is likely to sue for damages to his reputation.

Palace gained four valuable points from their last two matches against Birmingham (2-0) and Manchester United (0-0) at home in their bid to escape relegation.

Man. United vs Fulham. The Red Devils, safely through to the last four of the FA Cup, fight on to hold to their runners-up spot and an automatic place in next season's Champions League.

United's last defeat in the league was the 0-2 upset at Portsmouth in October. Fulham have won once in their last six away league encounters.

Andy Cole, now in the Londoners' colours, will visit one of his stomping grounds. Fulham have not lost on their last two calls at Old Trafford.

Blackburn vs Arsenal. These two teams have also gained a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup following their respective wins against Leicester (home) and Bolton (away).

Arsene Wenger has admitted that he was 'wrong' not to bring in some more experienced players this term after his side's exit from the Champions League.

Wenger is adamant that Ashley Cole will remain at Highbury and join the former greats at the club.

In midweek, the Rovers drew 0-0 at Liverpool. Arsenal won four of their five league visits to Ewood Park.

Merseyside clash

Liverpool vs Everton. This season's Merseyside derby at Anfield has a more significant look since the winner can thwart the losers from gaining a Champions League berth by finishing in fourth place.

In midweek, the Reds could only obtain a draw against Blackburn at Anfield. Harry Kewell has been added to the 'Pool long-term injured players, having to take a three-month break to recover from a career-threatening groin injury.

In 12 seasons of Premiership football, the Reds lead the Blues 4-2 (and six draws) in terms of wins at their own backyard.

Charlton vs West Brom. Alan Curbishley, who was glad to watch his side beating Tottenham 2-0 at home, still has high hopes of reaching a UEFA Cup place.

West Brom saw their expectations of avoiding the drop flicker when they pulled off rock bottom after the home win over Birmingham in a Midlands derby. However, on Tuesday they went down at Chelsea.

In the only three occasions that Charlton and West Brom met in the Premiership, the Londoners won all matches by the identical 1-0 scoreline. The last time Albion won in the League at Charlton was in 1954-55 - (3-1) in Division One.

Bolton vs Norwich. While Jose Mourinho must learn to be a good loser in future, one cannot look at his fellow manager Sam Allardyce of Bolton with glee, following his comments on the latest episode concerning El-Hadji Diouf.

Allardyce hit out at Arsenal's Jens Lehmann blaming him for Diouf's dismissal.

Norwich are now occupying the basement of the Premiership after three straight defeats.

Tottenham vs Man. City. Following Kevin Keegan's exit, the Citizens are now in the hands of Stuart Pearce. He will be acting as caretaker till the end of the campaign.

City's chief John Wardle said that he could not reassure the fans that Shaun Wright-Phillips would not follow Keegan out of the City of Manchester Stadium.

Martin Jol's hopes of watching Spurs play in Europe via the FA Cup, died at Newcastle. In mid-week they lost 0-2 at Charlton.

M'boro vs Southampton. M'boro won only one match in their past nine league matches. Their dismal run was compounded with the UEFA Cup elimination this week to Sporting Lisbon (4-2 on aggregate).

The Saints, having gone down at home 4-0 to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals, have emerged victorious only twice in their last 16 league matches.

In nine Premier League games, Boro won four to the Saints' two (the three other encounters finished as draws).

Birmingham vs Aston Villa. This Midlands derby will leave both sets of fans on the edge of their seats if not spilling on to the pitch as happened on past occasions.

Villa are in search of their first win in the Premier League against their rivals following five clashes at home and away. The Blues have won three and drawn the other two.

City coach Steve Bruce is keen to sign Spanish striker Walter Pandiani on a permanent basis. His counterpart David O'Leary insisted that he would not rush midfielder Gavin McCann into action until the end of the season.