Eddie Howe was happy with an "unbelievable achievement" from his squad as Newcastle United are back in the Champions League for the second time in three years.
Though they lost 1-0 to **Everton**in their final home fixture of the season, the team have achieved a major feat to add to their recent trophy grab in a year that exceeded expectations within the club and opens up new possibilities.
‘Our desire to win was too great’
Howe reflected on the display from the Magpies, but he was keen to praise the quality of Everton. Since **David Moyes**returned to his old stomping ground, the Toffees have earned 31 points— the ninth most in the top tier and the same as their opponents. Building from the foundations of Sean Dyche, the Scotsman has strengthened an identity that made them worthy competitors on the day.
*“It’s not how we wanted the day to go from our perspective in terms of how we played. We always knew it would be a difficult game. There was no underestimating Everton. They are a solid team, with men behind the ball. They got a physical threat. Those things made them dangerous opponents today.”*
But the 47-year-old still felt his players performed below the standard they have set this campaign.
“I just felt our desire to win and to do well was probably too great if that makes sense. We made poor decisions on the ball. That’s very unlike us. We were snatching at things. We were making the wrong decisions a lot of the time in the attacking half, and we haven't played that way for a long time.”
Once **Carlos Alcaraz**opened the scoring for the visitors to put them in the lead, it was a tense half-hour in the dugout for the Englishman at St James' Park. He gave an insight into the tension in his mind. **Chelsea**claimed the fourth spot with a 1-0 win over fellow top-five contenders Nottingham Forest, and the Toon would have missed out if Aston Villa had earned a point against Man United.
“We conceded at a bad time. I got that message that we were sixth and you're thinking this could turn into a bit of a nightmare for us. But I think that when you look at my position and my role, you've got to try and keep your cool. You have got to try and stay calm and make good decisions. And that's what I tried to do. Not good enough decisions because we didn't come back to win but I tried to stay calm.”
‘The group never used excuses’
There will be disappointment at the defeat for Howe, but he was proud of how the squad had overcome the odds. Their main summer signing saw Lewis Hall wrap up a permanent transfer to Tyneside from Chelsea, while Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh moved away due to tight financial constraints. Without fresh faces to raise the level, the players have had to dig deep.
“I think if you said at the start of the season, especially the way we started the season, how the season would end, you'd struggle to find too many people believe that we were in a position to do that at that time. We had an inconsistent beginning and a disruptive summer. We have not signed a sort of a major signing in three transfer windows. So, they are all huge challenges.”
A streak of six victories that ran into the new year was the first major mark that this campaign could be one for the history books. The manager mentioned more exits in the winter transfer window that added obstacles to their objectives as he painted a picture of the resilience that has held up his side.
“It's an unbelievable achievement with everything that's been going on around it again losing Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly in January where you know players are thinking we need reinforcements. We were losing first-team players that we were using. But the group never used that as an excuse.”
A reward for their competitiveness came in the middle of March. A 2-1 triumph over Premier League champions **Liverpool**at **Wembley**wrapped up the Carabao Cup. It was the first domestic trophy for the club in 70 years, but there was no hangover as the team turned towards their targets in the league.
“The reaction after the cup final was pivotal and we knew it because we had had a massive high. And I think it boils down to the players' mindset. I saw a real confidence lift from what the cup final brought us. It gave us all a ‘we can beat anybody’ feel. We came back and played really well.”
‘We do not have PSR issues’
The press conference ended with a forward-thinking outlook on the future of the club. Howe hesitated from crowning his camp as an elite side but was eager to express their hunger to be among the best.
“I don’t know how you classify it really. I think that's what we want to be. That's what we're desperate to continue to be. I'll let you judge that. But I think that we crave that. We want that. Now, my summer will be focused purely on, you know, trying to make us stronger and better for every challenge.”
Newcastle United fans have feared the shackles of PSR in the past. While the board might have to work within the means of a sleeping giant that has gradually awoken, the manager suggested that the next transfer window might buck the trend of conservative spending in the last couple of years.
“As far as I am aware, we do not have any PSR issues are heading into this this deadline. Now, I have to put that in there because I'm not seeing the figures and I'm only relaying what I'm getting told. So, I think we're in a lot healthier position, a lot stronger position. We are going to be looking to reverse what we did last summer where we're in a strong position ourselves to make additions to the squad.”
The end of the season typically means that teams will wave goodbye to some players. One of those men might be Callum Wilson, who has played about 300 Premier League minutes this season. Even if he leaves the squad in such circumstances, Wilson will be fondly remembered by Howe, who had worked with him for six years at Bournemouth and then in the early stages of the Toon's revival.
“Let's wait and see. We will sit down and talk with his reps. What I can say is Callum Wilson is and has been just an incredible footballer for Newcastle: someone who epitomizes the spirit that's got us to where we are really professional. He's a leader within the change room. He's just been incredible and let's wait to see what happens. It was great to see him have that relationship with the supporters.”