Newcastle manager Eddie Howe hailed one of the best games of his team’s season as they warmed up for the Carabao Cup final with a 1-0 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium.
Bruno Guimaraes stuck out a leg and turned home Harvey Barnes’ cross in the 63rd minute to score the game’s only goal and restore the visiting team’s interest in the race for the Champions League after three defeats in four in the league.
As well as a place back in the top six there was valuable momentum at stake ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool at Wembley, and but for a handful of brief moments in the first half where West Ham missed good chances, Newcastle were comfortably the better side.
“A massive win,” said Howe, who also saw his team knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton last weekend.
“Not our best game but one of our best games of the season.
“It’s a difficult ground to play at, a difficult team to play against but we dug in, we were disciplined. We were everything defensively that we haven’t been in recent weeks.
“We defended our goal magnificently. We’ve had a challenging week and it was a brilliant response.”
Barnes twice went close in the first half, denied both times by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola who then made a sensational save to prevent defender Maximilian Kilman from putting the ball in his own net on the hour mark.
Moments later, he was helpless to prevent Guimaraes from scoring the winner as he reached Barnes’ cross to toe the ball home from close range.
“We needed the players to empty the tank, to give everything to win this game and show that we are still competitive and to give ourselves belief,” said Howe.
“You only truly get belief from winning. You can prepare as well as you can but the winning is the final missing piece.
“The most important thing for us is that we defended as a team and with heart, with structure and organisation. The attitude was there.”
Newcastle are looking to end a 70-year domestic trophy drought when they return to the capital on Sunday to try and upset Arne Slot’s runaway league leaders.
“Even if it is that kind of game against Liverpool, if we defend in the manner we did today, we know we’ve got the quality to score,” said Howe.
“Today was the perfect example.”
“We think it’s clear,” said Potter, whose team stayed 16th. “It’s two hands on the back of the defender. You can see from how Isak celebrates, or doesn’t celebrate, that he thinks it’s a push.
“But the ones that matter don’t. That’s life and you have to get on with it.
“I feel for the players, they put such a lot into the game. It was a really committed performance.”
Celtic clinched the William Hill Premiership title in style with a 5-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah both hit doubles after Ryan Strain’s 30th-minute own-goal kicked off the rout.Celtic had only needed a point but they wrapped up their fourth consecutive championship in similar fashion to last year, when a 5-0 win at Kilmarnock earned Brendan R...
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid