Howe banking on record UCL win to reignite Newcastle’s campaign
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has described his side’s commanding 4–0 Champions League victory over Union Saint-Gilloise as a pivotal moment that could revive their faltering season.
Facing European competition after a disappointing domestic defeat to Arsenal, Newcastle lifted spirits in Brussels. Anthony Gordon converted two penalties, while Nick Woltemade and Harvey Barnes also found the net to hand the Magpies their biggest ever Champions League win.
Howe said the result was “exactly what we would have wanted” after the painful loss to Arsenal, and praised his players for responding.
He acknowledged that while the performance wasn’t flawless, “there’s things we could improve”, it represented a clear step in the right direction.
The coach also stressed the importance of a strong start in Europe, noting the demanding nature of the competition and how a slow beginning could leave a team with too much to make up.
From an individual standpoint, Woltemade’s form is eye catching: he has three goals from his first four appearances and became the first player for Newcastle to score on both his Champions League and Premier League first starts.
Meanwhile, Gordon became only the third Newcastle player to score in back-to-back Champions League matches.
Union SG’s coach, Sébastien Pocognli, conceded that his side gave everything but admitted that Newcastle were simply on another level that night.
Howe left the press conference in a “healthier, positive frame of mind,” optimistic about how the result might carry into their next Premier League match against Nottingham Forest.