Eddie Howe says he will rue some big moments from today’s defeat to Arsenal
Eddie Howe believes the score-line flattered Arsenal today as they came away from St James’ Park with a 0-2 win over Newcastle United.
It was a fiery contest at St James’ Park with Newcastle fighting for a Champions League spot and Arsenal fighting to stay in the Premier League title race. Everyone seemed up for the occasion and as much as the spectacle delivered, the Magpies did not.
However, it wasn’t for a lack of effort and that was reflected in Eddie Howe‘s post-match interview with Sky Sports where the gaffer said: “Fine margins for us today and we just came out on the wrong side of them. We missed some big chances in the game and it just wasn’t quite there for us. I am sure I will look back at some moments and rue some moments we didn’t get quite right.
Eddie Howe hints that the score-line flattered Arsenal
“If Jacob’s [Murphy] chance goes in early on, it is a totally different game. There are loads of things we will look back on and think it could have gone our way and didn’t. We have to take ownership of that. We are disappointed as I don’t think we defended as well as we have done for the majority of the season. But we gave everything. It was a high-level game and two teams going right at each other. That produced a good spectacle.
“There were loads of chances there and we didn’t put the ball in the net. We have done in our previous run of games. We didn’t keep the ball well enough and were a bit loose in possession. When you give Arsenal transitions they are a very dangerous team and so it proved.
“The result would tell you they did [imposed their style on the game], but in truth I think neither were dominant. It was to that bit of quality to win it. It hinged on big moments.
“We have four games remaining and need three results. Liverpool and other teams are coming. They are top level. We can only do what we can do and I believe in the character of the team to get it over the line.”
From that you can tell that Howe thinks that 0-2 flattered the visitors somewhat and I tend to agree. It wasn’t as much of a clear victory as the score suggests.
Newcastle have four more games to sew up that Champions League place
It all came down to some top quality goalkeeping at both ends, a few test of the woodwork and a penalty decision which could have gone our way on another day.
Howe finally played Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson together from the start, but perhaps this was the wrong game to try it out. Arsenal pressed Newcastle well from the kick-off and as such the forwards were rendered ineffectual for the most part.
As much as it’s never nice to lose, losing to Arsenal is no embarrassment, especially when the lads gave it as good a go as they did. Champions League is still in our hands so we put this one behind us and move on.
