2010–11 Newcastle United F.C. season
| 2010–11 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Derek Llambias | |||
| Manager | Chris Hughton (until 6 December) Peter Beardsley (caretaker) (6 to 9 December) Alan Pardew (from 9 December) | |||
| Stadium | St James' Park | |||
| Premier League | 12th | |||
| FA Cup | Third round | |||
| League Cup | Fourth round | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Kevin Nolan (12) All: Kevin Nolan (12) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 51,988 (31 October 2010 vs Sunderland, Premier League) | |||
| Lowest home attendance | 33,157 (27 October 2010 vs Arsenal, League Cup) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 46,990 | |||
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The 2010–11 season marked the return of Newcastle United to the Premier League following a season in the Championship. They finished in 12th place.
Newcastle's early season form was erratic on their return to English football's top tier, with thrashings of Aston Villa and local rivals Sunderland and exceptional away victories at Everton and Arsenal offset by home defeats against Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.
After a win over Arsenal sent Newcastle to fifth in the league, the team went on a winless run that ended in the controversial sacking of manager Chris Hughton. The club swiftly appointed Alan Pardew, last of third-tier Southampton, although Newcastle fans were suspicious due to alleged links with the club's unpopular owners. Despite the club's form still being reasonable, the owner's popularity decreased further after the transfer deadline day sale of local hero Andy Carroll for £35 million to Liverpool. The club pulled off one of the Premier League's greatest ever comebacks to draw 4–4 draw with Arsenal at St James' Park after being 4–0 down at half-time.