Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Eddie Howe didn’t ‘expect’ to smash Tottenham, but praised ‘lethal’ attackers for making it happen

Eddie Howe, Newcastle United, April 2023

Eddie Howe praised the “lethal” forward players for Newcastle, though he admitted he didn’t “expect” such a big win over Tottenham.

The Magpies couldn’t have wished for much more than a 6-1 win over fellow top-four hopefuls Spurs. Indeed, their opponents started three points and one place behind them in the league.

As such, a Tottenham win would have brought them level. However, the win has given the Magpies a six-point cushion from the north London side, in the first spot that doesn’t qualify for the Champions League.

After the first few minutes, anything other than a Newcastle win looked out of the question. After just nine minutes they already had a three-goal advantage.

Just over 10 minutes later, they’d made it 5-0. Tottenham, and their manager, have been savaged for letting in so many goals so early in the game.

For Newcastle, though, it was quite the statement to gain such an advantage so early. They added a sixth in the second half, after Harry Kane had netted a consolation goal for Spurs.

The game finishing 6-1 was a sign that the Magpies can bounce back well, after losing 3-0 to Aston Villa last time out.

Despite that loss, they’ve netted 13 times in their last four games.

Big win unexpected for Howe

While his side have been in good goalscoring form of late, Newcastle boss Howe admitted after the match that he wasn’t expecting such a big win.

“Not really [expecting that]. You don’t expect that. The quality of our finishing was incredible. They weren’t stick-on goals. We were lethal in front of goal,” he told Sky Sports.

“Everything about our first half an hour was where we want to be.

“That’s the reaction we wanted and an incredible start. The crowd were incredible for us.”

Indeed, such a big win over a ‘big-six’ side shows how far the Magpies have come of late. They could now be genuine contenders at the top of the table going forwards and could well secure Champions League football for next season.

Howe ‘can’t thank’ players enough

Howe, along with his players, have all played their roles in this rise of late. The manager has thanked his players for their role and singled out one in particular for praise.

“Since I walked through the door here the players have responded so well. I can’t thank them enough,” Howe said.

“Joe Willock has got a little bit of everything. He’s knuckled down, taken everything on board and delivered.”

Howe also admitted it’s hard to enjoy games until they’re over, not knowing what might happen.

“In my shoes you don’t enjoy it until afterwards. I enjoyed elements of today but there’s a lot of pressure on the game. I’m pleased now,” he added.

He’ll certainly enjoy it if his side do manage to secure themselves a Champions League spot for next season, meaning the pressure will have been well worth it.

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