Eddie Howe reflects on what he witnessed at St James’ Park on Wednesday night | OneFootball

Eddie Howe has been reflecting after Newcastle 4 Bradford 1.

A Wednesday night victory that takes United into the last sixteen of the Carabao Cup.

A commanding Newcastle United performance and one where they only really let themselves down with the finishing.

A strange thing to say when it ends up 4-1 but in reality any number of real sitters missed by the NUFC players, as it should have been seven or eight at least.

That very much a reflection on how well Newcastle United played going forward, rather than any criticism of Bradford City who stuck at it.

Eddie Howe reflecting on the 4-1 win over Bradford:

“Very professional.

“I thought that the guys were excellent.

“It was always going to be a tough game. Bradford are flying at the top of their league so we had to do everything right in terms of our preparation.

“I thought that we played with a lot of quality in both halves, really good rhythm, really good attitude, and good to see us score goals.

“We want to win whatever is put in front of us and the attitude stems from us, the coaches, and it should filter down.

“There is no difference between the games, these are opportunities to win trophies, you can’t just turn them away.

“So, the hard rounds are the early ones. They are very difficult.

“Last year, we had to battle through against Wimbledon on the way to winning it.

“Bradford was the same. The mentality, you can’t switch off.

“We wanted to win and wanted to score and try to entertain everybody that came. I thought we did that.

“It was always going to be a difficult game; nobody wants to make anything easy for you.

“Bradford are top of their league and we needed a bit of patience in our performance but once we got into our groove, we were very good.

“We believe we have a strong squad.

“We take it on a game-by-game basis.

“After Barcelona, it was a case of who we felt would be fatigued going into the Bournemouth game.

“We created a lot of opportunities and people impressed, that only helps the team win consistently.

“The lads are very aware of the strength in depth, so everyone in their position will be looking over their shoulder going, ‘If I don’t play well today, there is someone else waiting to take my shirt’.”

Eddie Howe on Will Osula who scored twice:

“He is very driven.

“Will has got great attitude to his work and his career. He’s very ambitious.

“He wants to play as all players do but he is now justifying that by his training performances and when he plays on the pitch.

“We have done a lot of work with him and will continue to do that for his benefit, to try to get him to be the very best player he can be.”

Newcastle 4 Bradford 1 – Wednesday 24 September 2025 7.45pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Joelinton 17, 75 Osula 19, 87

Bradford:

Cook 79

Possession was Newcastle 77% Bradford 23%

Total shots were Newcastle 27 Bradford 6

Shots on target were Newcastle 11 Bradford 3

Corners were Newcastle 6 Bradford 4

Touches in the box Newcastle 66 Bradford 6

Newcastle team v Bradford:

Ramsdale, Krafth (Trippier 61), Thiaw, Botman (Alex Murphy 89), Hall (Livramento 61), Bruno, Joelinton, Miley, Gordon (Barnes 61), Osula, Elanga (Woltemade 69)

Subs:

Pope, Lascelles, Tonali, Willock

(Newcastle v Spurs drawn out in Carabao Cup fourth round – Newcastle United fans react – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 Bradford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United fixtures (All of the Champions League matches will also be available to watch on TV in the UK):

Sunday 28 September– Newcastle v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (5.45pm)

Sunday 5 October– Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 18 October – Brighton v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 21st October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (8pm)

Saturday 25 October – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)