Howe's bold calls pay off after difficult week
- Published
Eddie Howe will know how opposite number Thomas Frank is feeling.
The Newcastle head coach looked crestfallen after his side were booed off following the bruising 3-2 home defeat by Brentford last week.
But Howe and his players hauled themselves up off the canvas to respond just three days later.
This was a night where Howe made some bold calls.
He opted not to start either of Nick Woltemade or Yoane Wissa just a few months after spending £124m on the forwards.
He recalled Jacob Ramsey, in place of Sandro Tonali, and also handed the lively Anthony Elanga a chance from the off.
Newcastle's summer recruitment has rightly come under scrutiny - but Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Ramsey stepped up when Howe needed them most.
So did the whole team, in truth.
Wobbly Newcastle have thrown away more points from winning positions (19) than any other side in the Premier League this season - but they held firm in the closing stages.
No wonder Howe savoured this win.
He even took the acclaim of the away end at full-time as Kieran Trippier pushed the head coach in front of the buoyant travelling support, who repeatedly sang his name.
