Magpies continue to soar under Glenn Roeder

Europe is being mentioned again at St James' Park these days, with Newcastle's latest revival under Glenn Roeder who is working on a temporary basis after the sacking of Graeme Souness last month.

Since Souness left, the Magpies have been undefeated in the five matches they played during which they also had four clean sheets.

Newcastle are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a visit to champions Chelsea awaiting them next.

Roeder has worked tirelessly on his defensive department. He went back to basics to bring some sense to an ailing rearguard. Previously, he said, the Newcastle defenders were playing as individuals and had surprised him in the first few days in charge.

Roeder added that there was no communication among them... they all spoke English, yet they were not talking to each other.

The fans have also started to believe in the side once more even though the injury list is still hampering the team's chances.

In the 2-0 victory over Everton (what a gem from Solano in his second netting), Newcastle were without Alan Shearer, Michael Owen - expected to return for the FA Cup tie at Chelsea - Titus Bramble, Kieron Dyer, Steven Taylor and Stephen Carr.

Roeder never grumbles about injuries though.

That is negative, he argues, and will give the players an excuse to explain defeat.

Roeder's new approach will be tested to the full with the coming needle matches against Bolton (this afternoon), Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Newcastle have climbed to 11th in the classification - six points adrift of the UEFA Cup zone.

Bolton have found a firm footing again in the 2-1 home win over Fulham. Before, they had embarked on a run of six games without a win that included the team's exit from the UEFA Cup.

West Brom vs Chelsea. Leaders Chelsea returned to their winning rhythm at home to Portsmouth after they were sent reeling at Middlesbrough and at home to La Liga's Barcelona in the Champions League.

Captain John Terry was reported as saying that clinching back-to-back Premiership titles was a higher priority at Chelsea than European success.

Is this a case of sour grapes or have Chelsea already waved the white flag in Europe?

West Brom, hovering above the relegation zone, have conceded eight goals in two successive league defeats (1-6 at Fulham, 0-2 at home to Middlesbrough).

Wigan vs Man. United. After the League Cup final, the 4-0 hiding of Wigan at Cardiff, the two teams meet again on Monday.

Alex Ferguson said his team's triumph can trigger another golden era for United and defended his decision to drop Ruud van Nistelrooy to the bench. The resounding triumph was rightly dedicated to injured player Alan Smith.

Although Wigan were expected to offer more stubborn resistance, they still should feel proud of contesting one of the two domestic finals in their very first season in the top flight.

Liverpool vs Charlton. Half of the Reds' 16 wins in the Premiership were claimed by the scoreline of 1-0. This happened when the side had the chance to punish their opponents further but had to be cautious to the very last minute not to concede a goal.

Although Liverpool head the list of clean sheets in the Premiership with a total of 18 (followed by Chelsea on 15), boss Rafael Benitez has revealed a sense of frustration at his side's goal drought.

On the same matter, following back-to-back 0-0 draws, Charlton have failed to score on eight occasions in the league.

Tottenham vs Blackburn. These two sides are placed fourth and fifth respectively, separated by three points.

In Rovers' 11 Premiership calls to White Hart Lane they have won four matches and drawn two.

Yet, this season's five trips to London saw them figuring on the losing side, including an FA Cup exit at West Ham.

In their past two league matches Spurs lost four points after draws at Sunderland and Wigan.

Fulham vs Arsenal. The Gunners fans do not feel confident when their favourites are on the away front in the Premiership. From 14 excursions this season, they won only three and lost eight.

In this London derby, Arsenal face a side that have been at their best in front of their fans.

At Craven Cottage, Fulham won nine matches and lost twice in 14 league games.

Arsene Wenger remains confident his side will finish in the top four to qualify for the Champions League again, which for him is the only place to be.

West Ham vs Everton. The Hammers' aim this season, now that they are away from the relegation mire, is to finish as the top London club behind Chelsea in the standings

After a run of six league games without defeat, Everton went down at Newcastle. David Moyes had to use his fifth different goalkeeper in six games at St James' Park.

Sander Westerveld has been signed as an emergency. He arrived on a loan period from Portsmouth.

The Merseysiders are confident of bouncing back though after they had won three (1-0, 2-0, 4-0) of their last four encounters in the Premiership at Upton Park.

Man. City vs Sunderland. Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce is glad that Lee Croft and Sylvain Distin are about to sign long-term contract extensions.

The Citizens are in search of a third double of the season, following their 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light earlier this season, having already defeated Birmingham and Charlton at home and away.

On the only two occasions the sides met in the Premiership at City's patch, the home side emerged triumphant 3-0 and 4-2.

Aston Villa vs Portsmouth. Portsmouth midfielder Gary O'Neil this week remarked that his side must win five of their remaining 11 fixtures to achieve survival.

Villa have lost once in their last seven league and cup outings. They registered five straight home league wins against the south coast side at Villa Park. Their last home upset to Pompey was that of 1969-70 when in Division II they lost 5-3.

M'boro vs Birmingham. Boro have not looked back since that remarkable 3-0 thumping of Chelsea.

The Teessiders progressed to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup at the expense of Stuttgart, and chalked up wins at Preston in the FA Cup and West Brom in the league.

Birmingham have also received a boost in their last outing with their home win over fellow strugglers Sunderland.