Instead, the Newcastle United boss backed his judgement. Yes, there were tweaks for the City game, most notably in midfield, where Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali switched places, with the former returning to his previous role as the central of Howe’s three midfielders, and in defence, where three of the four defenders who started against Brentford were missing, albeit with two of the alterations enforced.
Ultimately, though, this was Howe putting his faith in what he is convinced works. The result? Howe’s first-ever managerial win over Pep Guardiola and Newcastle’s first victory over Manchester City since 2019. Maybe things aren’t completely broken after all.
“I don’t agree with ripping things up,” said Howe, as he reflected on his side’s biggest win of the season. “Unless you’re in absolute panic mode, which we’re not. And even then, I don’t believe in that style of leadership anyway.
“I think you’ve got to have a very good idea on who our stronger players are and I want to then try to give them every opportunity to try to showcase that by helping them and developing them.
“That doesn’t mean that you tolerate poor performances over a longer period of time, sometimes you have to make some very difficult calls. But I’ll always pick what I think is the best team out of whoever is fit and available for the next game. That’s what I’ll continue to do.”
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So, while Howe had been criticised for putting too much faith in Newcastle’s previously-maligned midfield three of Guimaraes, Tonali and Joelinton, their collective energy and intensity proved too much for City. Nick Woltemade, a player who was supposedly incapable of playing as a central striker, could easily have had a hat-trick had it not been for some inspired goalkeeping from Gianluigi Donnarumma. And Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 formation, which had looked tired and predictable in recent games, was once again the bedrock of his side’s success.
That said, though, one key change was crucial. Newcastle have been crying out for the return of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, and in only their second appearance in a starting line-up together this season, the full-back duo underlined just what the Magpies have been missing in their absence.
They were superb against City, athletic and resolute in defence, dynamic and aggressive in attack. Kieran Trippier, now 35, and Dan Burn, a centre-half playing out of position, have done their level best to deputise this season, but neither can come close to matching what Livramento and Hall provide, particularly in attack. Hall hobbled off in the closing stages of Saturday’s win, but Howe is confident the left-back was only suffering from cramp. Keeping him and Livramento fit is the biggest thing Newcastle have to try to achieve as they look to mount a sustained push back up the Premier League table.
“We saw Lewis’ technical ability,” said Howe. “You have to consider the amount of time he’s been out, and he’s one who hadn’t trained with us [because of international duty with England Under-21s]. That was a great performance from him. He took the ball under pressure, linked really well with Harvey [Barnes] and ran forward when he was able to in that first half, before his legs started to tire.
“Then you’ve got Tino, who had stayed with us and who had done a lot of hard work. I thought physically he looked unbelievable considering he’d had seven weeks out. It was a really high-level performance against a very dangerous opponent. I thought they both played really well.”
Barnes was another big success story on Saturday night, bouncing back from two bad first-half misses to claim the goals that sealed Newcastle’s win.
The winger opened the scoring in trademark fashion, slotting home a low finish from the edge of the penalty area after some great approach work from Guimaraes, and while Ruben Dias’ deflected shot pegged Newcastle back within five minutes of them claiming the lead, Barnes struck again two minutes later.
This was a less characteristic strike, with the 27-year-old turning penalty-box poacher as he stabbed home the rebound after Guimaraes’ header had rebounded off the crossbar.
“Harvey never really gets affected by missing,” said Howe. “That’s a great asset to have as a goalscorer and he’s certainly that. His record as a wide player is incredible in front of goal.
“The first goal was probably the hardest of the lot, it was an unbelievable finish - the second one was about his instincts and being in the right place at the right time.
“I’m really, really pleased for him. He's a great person, a great professional. He always gives his best and it was great to see him rewarded with the two goals.”