Match officials confirmed for Magpies' Premier League opener | OneFootball

Eddie Howe's side begin their English top-flight campaign with a trip to Villa Park, aiming for a fourth successive opening day win, and Pawson oversaw four of the Magpies' Premier League matches last season.

The 46-year-old whistler was the man in the middle for United's first league match of the previous campaign - a 1-0 victory against Southampton - and handed out six yellow cards at St. James' Park that afternoon, booking Dan Burn and Lewis Hall, as well as sending off Fabian Schär following a first-half altercation with Ben Brereton Díaz.

Pawson, who stepped down as a FIFA-listed official in December 2024, also took charge of United's goalless draw against Everton and awarded a penalty to the visitors in their final game at Goodison Park, which was missed by former Toffees winger Anthony Gordon, whilst booking three players that evening, including Hall and Schär.

The Sheffield-born official oversaw Newcastle's 2-0 home defeat against West Ham United in November, with the only yellow card of the match issued to Lloyd Kelly, before being appointed for United's 1-1 draw away at Brighton & Hove Albion in May, awarding a late penalty which was converted by Alexander Isak as well as booking three players at the Amex Stadium, including Joe Willock.

2024/25 stats

Games (all competitions): 31

Yellow cards issued: 118

Red cards issued: 5

Assistants

Assistant referees: Constantine Hatzidakis and Nick Hopton

Fourth official: Simon Hooper

VAR: Peter Bankes

Assistant VAR: Tim Robinson