
<p>Newcastle has looked into increasing the capacity of its stadium, St James’ Park. However, that could come at a cost, both financially and socially. Currently, St James’ Park holds a maximum of 52,305, which makes it the seventh-biggest stadium in the Premier League.</p>



<p>With wealthy owners and an impressive performance in the most recent campaign, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund owners are ready to invest more money to expand the club’s facilities. Club co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi has plans to bump the capacity up to 65,000. In doing so, Newcastle would have the second-biggest stadium in the Premier League based on capacity.</p>



<p>The most likely place for development would be the stadium’s <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/newcastle-united-could-develop-east-stand-to-extend-st-james-park-wfvf6fprc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">East Stand</a>. Even though Newcastle’s owners did purchase land behind the Gallowgate End sparked rumors of expansion on the south end of the stadium. Still, expansion is a very real possibility for the Magpies. </p>



<p>If expansion is to happen, there may be threats to the atmosphere around St James Park. As of now, fans are effectively right on the pitch, giving Newcastle’s stadium an edge over other stadiums. </p>



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<h2>Newcastle debates stadium capacity against game atmosphere</h2>



<p><em><a href="https://www.newcastleworld.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/architects-make-risk-newcastle-united-st-james-park-expansion-claim-4221732" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NewcastleWorld</a></em> spoke to architecture firm <a href="https://www.sadlerbrown.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sadler Brown</a> about the potential Newcastle has for stadium expansion. The group said any steps the club wants to take should err on the side of caution.</p>



<p>“Larger stadiums have different relationships between the pitch and the spectators,” Sadler Brown said. “Sometimes the tension of the close connection between players and fans adds to the sense of theatre and heightens the sensory experience and atmosphere which could be at risk if the stadium expands too much.”</p>



<p>Getting mood and atmosphere right is crucial according to Sadler Brown. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a>, West Ham and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> all have massive stadiums. Yet, each has faced complaints over a lack of atmosphere because the fans are not as involved as they were before. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / News Images</em></p>


Newcastle has looked into increasing the capacity of its stadium, St James' Park. However, that could come at a cost.

Newcastle risks atmosphere for increased stadium capacity


<p>Newcastle thumped Brighton on Thursday to edge closer to Champions League qualification. The Magpies scored twice in each half to dominate the Seagulls on Tyneside. Late goals from Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimarães cemented the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> victory.</p>



<p>The Magpies were hoping to get back on track after a loss to Arsenal followed up by a draw away to Leeds. They entered the day sitting third in the Premier League table, ahead of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> on goal difference. Brighton also had a chance to make headway on a possible top-four finish. The Seagulls started the match sixth but had two extra matches on the schedule compared to fifth-placed <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a>.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle</a> started Thursday’s game on the front foot. Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron both had decent opportunities inside the opening five minutes. The Swede saw his shot go wide from a good position, while Almiron had a shot blocked by Jan Paul van Hecke. Fabian Schar also hit a dangerous free kick straight at Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.</p>



<h2>Trippier creates two goals to give Newcastle edge over Brighton</h2>



<p>The breakthrough for the hosts finally came in the 23rd minute. However, the goal was scored by Deniz Undav into his own net. Kieran Trippier sent in a typically dangerous corner kick that glanced off of the Brighton forward’s head and past Steele. The German striker attempted to send the ball away from his goal but got the header all wrong in the end. It was the sixth own goal by Brighton so far this season.</p>



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<p>Newcastle doubled their lead just moments prior to the halftime break. Much like the first score, Trippier created the goal from a set piece. The England international sent in a perfect free-kick pass through to Dan Burn. The 6’6″ versatile defender was easily able to latch onto the ball with a header that ended up in the back of the net. It was his first Premier League goal since he played for Brighton over a year ago.</p>



<h5>Visitors grab a goal back early in second half</h5>



<p>The hosts looked to continue their dominance at the start of the second half. However, Steele made a massive save to keep out a shot from Almiron in the 50th minute. Despite looking like a sure goal, the keeper stopped the shot in impressive fashion. The save would prove to be even bigger considering Brighton was back in the game just moments later.</p>



<p>Undav put his team on the scoresheet just a minute after the big save with a goal, this time for his team. Billy Gilmour found the German with a clever through ball going forward towards Newcastle’s box. Undav then <a href="https://t.co/fJ6p3eIoi1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">slipped his shot beyond a diving Nick Pope</a> to cut the deficit to one goal. It was his fourth goal in his last five top-flight matches.</p>



<h5>Magpies add two late goals</h5>



<p>Nevertheless, Newcastle would extend their lead once again with just two minutes left on the clock. Almiron made a strong run down the right flank and sent Callum Wilson through on goal from 40 yards away. Although the English striker appeared to be offside, he cleverly made his run at the right time. Wilson then ran towards Steele and slotted home his 18th Premier League goal of the campaign.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Miguel Almiron sets up Callum Wilson for the dagger! <br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/USANetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USANetwork</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEWBHA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEWBHA</a> <a href="https://t.co/lWV63kokCn">pic.twitter.com/lWV63kokCn</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1659294243075026956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Wilson then created his team’s fourth of the night just two minutes later. The striker again ran free on goal but instead of taking the shot, he cooly and unselfishly fed Bruno Guimarães for the open goal.</p>



<p>The Newcastle victory edges the club closer to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Champions League</a> qualification. They need to grab just one more victory in their final two matches to secure a top-four place in the table. Newcastle next face Leicester City, before finishing their campaign against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a>. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images</em></p>


Newcastle United edged closer to a top-four Premier League finish thanks to a demolition of Brighton on Thursday.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "st james park"

Leagues: EPL

Newcastle risks atmosphere for increased stadium capacity

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Newcastle smashes Brighton to approach UCL qualification