Eddie Howe Hopes High-Pressing Newcastle United Are Inspired By Chelsea Win In EFL Cup

Add as a preferred source on Google

Newcastle United secured a spot in the EFL Cup quarter-finals by defeating Chelsea 2-0. This victory marked only their second win in seven games across all competitions. Alexander Isak scored, and an own goal by Axel Disasi helped them advance. Eddie Howe expressed satisfaction with his team's response after their recent 2-1 Premier League loss to Chelsea.

Eddie Howe praised his players for their performance, especially in the first half. "A really good performance tonight, especially in the first half," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. He highlighted their effective pressing and ability to regain possession high up the pitch, which led to the first goal. Howe was pleased with the entire squad's contribution.

The second half presented challenges as Chelsea introduced skilled players from the bench. Despite this, Newcastle's defence held strong. Howe noted that playing at St James' Park was special due to its vibrant atmosphere and sold-out crowd, which added to the team's motivation.

Chelsea experienced only their second defeat in 11 matches across all competitions. Enzo Maresca acknowledged his team's efforts despite the loss, noting their xG of 1.97 during the game at St James' Park. "I think it worked if we analysed the performance. If we analysed the result, it didn't work," he said during his post-match press conference.

Maresca observed that Chelsea controlled much of the game but failed to capitalise on key opportunities. For 20 minutes before Newcastle's goal, they dominated play and had two clear chances before halftime but couldn't score. In his view, they lost control for just 10 minutes, which cost them dearly.

Newcastle will face Brentford in the next round of the competition. This marks their fourth appearance in the quarter-finals over five seasons, showcasing their consistency in cup performances. The team hopes to build on this momentum as they progress further in the tournament.

Howe emphasised learning from each match and applying those lessons moving forward. He felt that Newcastle improved significantly in converting regained possession into scoring opportunities during this match compared to previous games.

Chelsea's manager acknowledged areas for improvement despite being satisfied with certain aspects of their play against Newcastle. He believes there are many things they can enhance as they continue competing across different tournaments this season.

The victory at St James' Park provided a morale boost for Newcastle United and their fans after recent struggles in various competitions. The team aims to carry this positive energy into upcoming fixtures as they strive for success both domestically and internationally.