Newcastle United may already be part of elite in England, data suggests

Gracenote's data shows that the club could be considered an elite club.

They have five points from three games this season after drawing with Manchester City.

The team has taken 1.95 points per match in the league.

Manchester City have the most points per game with 2.38. The only other team with two points is Spurs.

It will be the best calendar year performance by a non-big six club since the 'big six' became established in 2009, according to Simon Gleave.

They may be part of the elite in England, based on their performance in the premier league.

When Howe was appointed, they were 19th in the league, five points from safety, and finished in 11th place.

With 1.3 points per match, Manchester United are 9th in the table. It was the eighth win of the season for United.

A 'big-six' team has finished outside the top six in four of the last five years. It happened three times in a decade.

If their tally is matched over the next two decades, they will finish with 74 points.

It was enough for a top-four finish in 23 of the past 27 years.