Eddie Howe Comments on VAR Drama Adding Tension to Comfortable Victory for Newcastle
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted that Southampton’s position at the bottom of the Premier League table does not reflect their competitiveness, following his side’s 3-1 victory at St Mary’s.
Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s top scorer, delivered a stellar performance with two goals, bringing his tally to nine in his last ten league games. The win keeps Newcastle in the race for a Champions League spot, while Southampton’s struggles deepen as they remain rooted to the foot of the table, 10 points adrift with just 15 matches remaining.
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Despite Southampton’s dire situation, Howe acknowledged their quality and resilience. “Southampton’s league position does tell a lie. I think they’re much more competitive than their league position says. We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Howe said in his post-match interview.
Reflecting on the match, Howe praised his team’s response after conceding an early goal. “It was a massive win for us after last week,” he said. “The performance and result weren’t anywhere near what we have been of late. Conceding so early was uncharacteristic, but the players responded brilliantly. We played really well in that first half, with creativity and energy.”
The game was not without controversy, as a late VAR decision ruled out a Mateus Fernandes goal for offside. While Howe refrained from criticizing the decision, he admitted the lengthy review caused tension. “The VAR took a long time. That would have been crazy for us, turning a comfortable finish into a nervy one,” he said.
Newcastle’s journey to Southampton was also eventful due to Storm Eowyn, which delayed their flight. Howe recounted, “Standing on the runway with the wind battering us, it felt like the flight would be terrible. But once in the air, it was fine.”
The victory solidifies Newcastle’s pursuit of a top-four finish while leaving Southampton with a steep uphill battle to avoid relegation.
