Read Eddie Howe's pre-Burnley programme notes | OneFootball

This afternoon we welcome Scott Parker and his Burnley squad to St. James’ Park. Scott did a brilliant job least season leading Burnley to promotion. They have already shown this season that they are capable of competing with any side they face, and we know what a threat they will pose us today as a result.

We approach this match in a good place off the back of our recent performances in the Premier League. In our last home game against Tottenham Hotspur, we came into the game following two positive results against Manchester City and our first away win against Everton, and we were determined to maintain the run.

We started the match on the front foot and created plenty of chances without being able to make the breakthrough. We dominated possession in the first half but needed to be patient and stick to our principles, which the players certainly did. In the end, our reward came after the break with twenty minutes to go when Bruno Guimarães gave us a lead we felt we fully deserved.

Tottenham always carry a threat and just eight minutes later they found a way back into the game with a goal which we felt was out of context with the game. The players deserve huge credit for how they responded to this disappointment. We remained positive, stayed calm and a few minutes later Anthony Gordon stepped off the bench to score from the spot and give us the lead.

We came so close to securing all three points and a third consecutive league win but conceded with almost the last kick of the game. When the dust settles on the ending to the game, we can reflect on what has been a really impressive return to the form we know we are capable of in the league, and the intensity, energy and attacking threat we know we carry in our squad.

Our challenge as always is to maintain these levels across three competitions, while managing the load of our whole squad so we achieve the balance between protecting the players and remaining competitive. This isn’t always easy but having worked so hard to qualify for the UEFA Champions League and make progress in the Carabao Cup again this season, it is exactly the kind of challenge we relish.

It's a challenge made easier by the incredible support we receive home, away and abroad too. We know the time and money you all commit to following us, and we never take it for granted. We will of course need even more of your backing today as we aim to continue climbing the table and give a performance to reward your loyalty.

Eddie Howe