Eddie Howe Bournemouth
In a dramatic encounter at St James’ Park, Newcastle United emerged victorious with a 4-3 win over Leeds United, thanks to Harvey Barnes’ last-gasp winner in the 102nd minute. This thrilling match unfolded against the backdrop of emotional news regarding Kevin Keegan’s cancer diagnosis, which had deeply affected the Newcastle squad.
Eddie Howe said: “The team that Keegan created was truly special, and it is still talked about. We’re always trying to be that team, we want the supporters on the edge of their seats. Today was us at our thrilling best without playing at our best. The news before the game shook us all up. We want to pay tribute to him and send him all our love.”
Howe continued: “It was one of those classic games here where I don’t think we were at our best, but we showed great character, we kept fighting, and always believed we’ve got goals in us. It turned our way at the end, which is a rare thing for us. We haven’t done it enough this season, especially, we’ve gone the other way and lost points from late in the game, so it’s great to go the other way today.”
He added: “It wasn’t a perfect performance, there’s stuff to reflect and improve, but the mentality is the key thing in everything and if you’re losing, you need that ‘never say die’ spirit, especially with the attacking players we’ve got.”
Howe concluded: “I’m delighted for Harvey to score the winning goal. It’s a great moment for him, he’s done it before for us, but he deserves it. Our plan is to try and attack like that all the time but of course there’s two teams trying to do the same thing. I want to free the players up, I want them to express themselves in the best way possible, we’ve got some great attackers and creative players here so confidence is key and that should lift it.”
The match was a testament to Newcastle’s resilience, as they had to come from behind three times on a cold night. Despite the emotional weight of the pre-match news, the Magpies demonstrated their fighting spirit, ultimately securing the win with Barnes’ decisive goal. This victory was particularly significant for Newcastle, as they have struggled to maintain leads in previous matches this season.
Eddie Howe’s admiration for Kevin Keegan’s legacy was evident, as he has long aspired to replicate the exciting football synonymous with Keegan’s era. This match was a fitting tribute to Keegan, showcasing the attacking flair and determination that he championed.
The win not only provided a morale boost for the team but also highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive mentality and the ‘never say die’ attitude that Howe emphasized. As Newcastle looks to build on this victory, the focus will be on consistency and allowing their talented attackers to express themselves freely on the pitch.
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