Newcastle boss Eddie Howe feels his side “look united” after they boosted their hopes of securing a Champions League place with a comfortable 3-0 victory at relegation-haunted Leicester.
The Foxes were low on confidence thanks to seven straight defeats heading into the contest and Newcastle jumped all over their hosts with two goals in 11 minutes courtesy of Jacob Murphy, his second coming after Fabian Schar almost scored from his own half with an audacious effort which bounced off the bar.
Former Leicester man Harvey Barnes twisted the knife on his old club with the third goal of the evening but did not celebrate against the fans who used to sing his name.
ANOTHER ONE ☑️ pic.twitter.com/5L6wl9qWr5
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 7, 2025
United moved level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand and are eyeing up a return to Europe’s top table.
Howe said: “It was a great start to the game for us. It was a brilliant first goal, brilliant execution of how we want to play.
“We stuck to our task. We were professional and it was really good to get a clean sheet and three goals.
“That was a big question mark against us, how would we respond to the high (of their Carabao Cup win). The players have responded magnificently. It’s a tick in the box for our psychology.
“Early season there were games where we were frustrated by our output, by the effort. It was uncharacteristic. That had never happened before in my time here. But now we’re in a good place.
“We look united. We have a purpose and we’re trying to get there. We’re where we need to be.
“Confidence is high at the moment, but there are areas we need to improve.”
The Magpies now face the prospect of three games in six days, starting next Sunday with a home fixture against Manchester United.
Howe thinks it will be a challenging week with a “stretched” squad.
He added: “We’ve got three tough games and we’ve got to reset and upturn our performances again.
“The players are experienced. They’ve been through a lot in their careers. Three games in six days is going to be a big test for us.
“We’re going to need everybody. The squad is still stretched. We tried to manage the squad today with the game in a good position.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy failed to confirm whether he remains committed to Leicester after he guided the club to their worst losing run in history.
The Foxes boss said: “It’s very disappointing and if I speak for myself, with the intent to bring the club forward, so far it didn’t work and tried different things and structures without results.
“It’s clear what the most important thing, it’s this club and what’s best for this club and that’s also what we need to discuss.
“I think for now it’s been such a bad run of games, not getting results and not scoring goals for me it’s time to recover from this first before I can say anything else.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.Poor Man Utd Napoli step up talks over Darwin Nunez deal Man City's Cherki wants Man Utd revenge This is why Trent can speak Spanish How are there 2 Mbappes? Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t retiring anytime soon. This is what football is all about. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
Ruben Amorim and Manchester United might have an advantage in the race for Frankfurt's standout attacker Hugo Ekitike as he attracts Prem interestMan Utd might have an advantage in the race for Hugo EkitikeManchester United might have an advantage in the race for Frankfurt standout Hugo Ekitike.The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with United, Chelsea and ...
KYLE WALKER has agreed to join Everton on a one-year deal. The England right-back has been locked in talks with Toffees chiefs since his return from his loan spell at AC Milan. Kyle Walker is bringing the curtain down on his glorious Man City careerEverton and current club Manchester City will now thrash out whether it is a permanent deal or just a 12-month loan while he sees out the remainder of ...
Chelsea have enquired about Lyon sensation Malick Fofana as they continue to look for Jadon Sancho's replacement.Chelsea eye move for Lyon's FofanaBlues looking for Sancho's replacementChelsea face LAFC in Club World Cup on MondayWHAT HAPPENED?Per The Athletic, the Blues have made a verbal enquiry about 20-year-old Lyon winger Fofana as they look to bolster their squad in the summer transfer windo...
Everton keen to rival Fenerbahce for WalkerPer journalist Mike McGrath, Everton have shown interest in signing Kyle Walker after the Manchester City star failed to secure an AC Milan move.Last week, reports emerged in the Turkish media that Fenerbahce are keen on signing the veteran full-back as Jose Mourinho is aiming to bolster his squad ahead of the new season. Fenerbahce have even formally sub...
Arsenal, Man Utd ask Real Madrid to name Brahim priceArsenal and Manchester United have sounded out Real Madrid over a price for Brahim Diaz.The former Manchester City midfielder has attracted enquiries from both Premier League giants, says Okdiario.For his part, Brahim is settled in Madrid, though there is concern inside his camp over the imminent arrival of Franco Mastantuono from River Plate.Th...
DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB LeipzigCelta Vigo have signed permanently Iliax Moriba from RB Leipzig.The midfielder had spent last season on-loan with Celta, which have now decided to sign him permanently from RBL for a fee of €6m.Celta announced today: "RC Celta has exercised the purchase option agreed upon last summer with RB Leipzig and has completed its second sign...
Japhet Tanganga's Millwall contract includes a modest £1.2m release clause (Image: Getty)Crystal Palace are interested in signing Japhet Tanganga from south London rivals Millwall. But the Eagles' pursuit of the defender will depend on the sale of Marc Guehi, who is once again attracting interest from some of the Premier League's top sides.Tanganga has spent the past 18 months at The Den, ini...
Andre Onana is set to remain Man Utd's starting goalkeeper (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)Andre Onana is poised to remain as Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper next season. Despite the Reds' boss Ruben Amorim desiring a new No. 1, seeking a replacement for Onana isn't high on the agenda as United focus on revamping a squad that ended up in 15th place last season.United had an...
Jack Grealish has been left out of Man City's Club World Cup squad (Image: Getty)Liverpool could play an important role in saving Jack Grealish from his Manchester City nightmare this summer. The former Aston Villa talisman has been left out of Pep Guardiola's Club World Cup squad and put up for sale, with City hoping to recoup some of the £100million they paid four years ago, or at least eas...
- 1 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 2 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 3 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 4 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 5 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 6 'If you want to understand, it's really obvious' – USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino responds to Christian Pulisic, eager to move past off-field drama
- 7 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big
- 10 Portugal and France play out draw to start U21 Euro campaign