Eddie Howe applauds the travelling fans after Newcastle's defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates (Image: Adam Davy/PA)
Eddie Howe applauds the travelling fans after Newcastle's defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates (Image: Adam Davy/PA)
EDDIE HOWE claims ‘calmness’ will be key for Newcastle United as they look ahead to Sunday’s Champions League decider against Everton.
The Magpies head into their final game of the season knowing they will be guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League if they beat an Everton side who experienced the emotion of the final-ever men’s game at Goodison Park yesterday.
If, however, Newcastle fail to beat David Moyes’ side, they will be reliant on results elsewhere securing them a top-five finish. As things stand, the Magpies could still find themselves in either the Europa League or Conference League instead of the Champions League.
The stakes could hardly be higher, but having guided his side to a first major trophy in 70 years earlier this season, Howe is determined to keep things on an even keel ahead of Sunday’s St James’ Park showdown.
“I think calmness is going to be key at this moment in time,” said the Newcastle boss, who is hoping Alexander Isak will recover from a groin injury in time to line up against Everton. “It’s a week before we play.
“We’ve got to be very calm, make good decisions, and train and prepare well for the game. Nothing changes. The emotion will be there in the game, I don’t think we have to spell that out to the players.”
While Arsenal secured their Champions League place with yesterday’s win over Newcastle at the Emirates, the Magpies are one of five clubs who could still claim one of the three remaining Champions League spots.
As things stand, just one points separates third-placed Newcastle from seventh-placed Nottingham Forest in the table.
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“I think the prize is so big that everyone is fighting as much as they can,” said Howe. “We’ve never got ahead of ourselves. We’ve never felt that we were there, or the job was done.
“The players feel the same way. We’ve been working incredibly hard to try to get the job done. Now, it’s going to go to the end, to the last game, and who knows? The twists and turns are there for everybody.
“All we can do is our best. We gave our best (at Arsenal), that’s why there’s no criticism of the players. They’ve given so much this year. Now, we know we need one more big effort in this last match.”
The fact that Newcastle are hosting Everton at St James’ should play into their favour, with the Magpies having won their last five home matches against Brentford, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Ipswich and Chelsea with an aggregate score of 16-2.
“When you look on to the next game, we know what we have to do,” said Howe. “It’s not going to be easy, but our home form has been strong and we’ve really enjoyed playing there.
“The players are used to big games, there’s going to be none bigger than this, but I’m sure the Newcastle supporters will make it an unbelievable atmosphere for us.”