Eddie Howe reflects on Newcastle 2 Spurs 0 and United making it 4 League Cup quarter-finals in a row | OneFootball

Eddie Howe has been reflecting after watching his much changed Newcastle United side ease past Spurs.

Eight changes to the Newcastle team that had defeated Fulham on Saturday but it made no difference, Thomas Frank’s side experiencing their very first away loss of the season, in any competition.

The victory sends United through to the League Cup quarter-finals for a fourth successive season under this Newcastle United Head Coach, with Fulham coming to St James’ Park in December.

It was also business as usual for Eddie Howe against Spurs at St James’ Park.

Since he arrived at Newcastle United, he has now won all four home games against Tottenham, with his team scoring 14 goals in the process.

Two headers won this match, one from Fabian Schar in the first half, then Nick Woltemade sealing the victory in the second half.

Eddie Howe reflecting on the 2-0 win at St James’ Park and moving through to a quarter-final home tie against Fulham:

Eddie Howe asked which competitions he is specifically targeting this season:

“There is no priority.

“We just want to win.

“Win consistently.

“That is  such a healthy thing for the group to feel.

“The acid test was this game for that, because of the changes that we made, was our mentality and mindset going to waver?

“The most pleasing thing for me was that it didn’t.

“We enjoy this competition and we take it seriously.

“We want to do well and it is up to the players and how they take that to the pitch.

“We made a number of changes and there is always going to be a slight doubt about how well that team will knit together.

“But from minute one, we looked in a really good place.

“Athletically excellent and a lot of those players haven’t played regularly, so that’s testament to their professionalism and how they have looked after themselves between games, they got their rewards.

“Really pleased.

“I think when you make the changes we did, you hope to see a performance that’s in line with our identity and our expectations and I thought the pressing early on in the game and general attitude of the players, was very good.

“I think with the way we work we like to think regardless of the changes we make they deliver a Newcastle performance in line with our expectations.

“Most important that our attitude is right from minute one, the will to win that you need.

“We had that and I thought individually, there were some really good performances, whilst collectively we were strong.”

Eddie Howe on set-pieces and Fabian Schar scoring from that Sandro Tonali corner:

“It is something we have worked on really hard lately in our game.

“I think we have the height and power to cause teams problems.

“It’s great to see a great delivery from Sandro Tonali and Fabian Schar’s header was top class. 

“He always has a goal in him.

“He has always had that creative side to his game and it was a great moment for him.”

My conclusions

Thomas Frank had seen his Spurs side go seven away games unbeaten this season in all competitions but that all ended when he met Newcastle United.

A much changed Newcastle United.

What didn’t change despite Eddie Howe’s eight changes, was the commitment and discipline shown by the whole team, especially those who haven’t had many minutes this season.

Great to see.

Eddie Howe at last has got a squad of players he can rely on, not just a starting eleven.

This made it five wins in six games and now all eyes on West Ham away this Sunday.

I am already smiling, as I think of all the positive dilemmas Eddie Howe now has, as he decides exactly which eleven players he should put on the pitch against West Ham on Sunday, with of course then Athletic Bilbao at St James’ Park in the Champions League to follow three days later.