Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle United: Eddie Howe reacted to his side ending a long wait for a win at Stamford Bridge.
It marked Newcastle’s first win at Stamford Bridge since 2012 and the side’s first clean sheet in the Premier League since the 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers back in January.
The win sees the Magpies climb up to ninth in the Premier League table heading into the final eight games following successive league wins over Manchester United and now Chelsea. Next up for Eddie Howe’s side is Barcelona in the Champions League before they return to Premier League action against rivals Sunderland at St James’ Park next weekend.
Eddie Howe reacts to Stamford Bridge win for NUFC
When asked about ending the wait for a win at Stamford Bridge, Howe said: “I wasn't aware the record was that bad here for us. So it's nice to end that and get the win on so many levels today.
“That was such an important victory with what we have coming up ahead this week with the two massive games. It's great to go into those games with the good feeling that we have. And I thought the mentality, the effort today was very, very good.”
Howe made six changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Barcelona ahead of the game. Nick Woltemade came into the side for the ill Sandro Tonali while Joe Willock, Sven Botman, Tino Livramento, Jacob Murphy and Gordon also came into the starting line-up.
“You can see today that what they gave, what the players gave to protect our goal was huge,” Howe added. “And we needed that more this season.
“I think we're capable of doing it. So it's a bit of a frustration for us, really, over the season as a whole, that we haven't defended better. But we had a little bit of luck that's eluded us, I think, a lot of the time on the road.
“So I'm just really, really pleased with what the players gave. We made changes to the team. The players that came in really stepped up too. And I think it's been a really positive day for us.
“We needed to win today to give us any chance of winning in Barcelona and progressing through the Champions League.
“It's such a difficult game, but you need that confidence that winning gives you. That's back-to-back wins in the Premier League now, which is so important. We'll be in a better place for today. And now all eyes are on Barcelona.”
Eddie Howe & Liam Rosenior react to Chelsea pre-match huddle
Chelsea raised a few eyebrows ahead of the game as their players huddled in the centre circle around the match ball as well as referee Paul Tierney. It made for bizarre viewing ahead of the game as it was captured by Sky Sports cameras.
When asked about it after the match, Howe said: “It's got absolutely zero relevance to me. I was totally non-fussed by it. I don't pay any attention to things like that. It's not going to help us win or lose the game.”
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior then added some context to the incident when asked to explain it at full-time.
“Disappointed there is more focus and emphasis on the things that don't matter,” he said. “I'm going to make it really clear. All the players made the decision that they wanted to be around the ball, to respect the ball and show unity and leadership.
“That is not my decision. That would be a decision between the leadership group and the team.
There is nothing that they're doing with that huddle that's disrespectful to the opposition.
“Do you know what's amazing? Before the game that wasn't me, we had a meeting with the referee and he says to me the first thing he talks about is our huddle
“And he says about when I complained about Arsenal in the league.
“We're not being disrespectful to the opposition. If Paul had focused more on his job, which was to make the right decision, we haven't had that.
“I don't think anybody in this room can say that [Nick] Woltemade doesn't kick Cole Palmer down in the box. So let's focus on the things that are important.
“My team showing unity is not as important as getting decisions right. It's decisions right on the pitch.”
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