Eddie Howe hopes recent Newcastle United results 'can reignite A-game'

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is confident that recent results "can reignite our A-game" after a stalled start to the Premier League campaign.

The Magpies secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brentford last Saturday, which was followed midweek by a battling goalless Champions League draw at AC Milan.

The victory at St James' Park – courtesy of a second-half Callum Wilson penalty – brought an end to their three-game Premier League losing streak.

And the draw in Italy, Newcastle's first Champions League group-stage appearance in two decades, was earned despite Milan having 25 shots on goal, which included goalkeeper Nick Pope making five stops in six hectic first-half minutes at the San Siro.

“Going into the Brentford game, we were determined to try to break the run of results we had. We did that,” said Howe, ahead of Sunday's game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

“We then got a huge point against Milan with a really good defensive display, so hopefully that platform can reignite our A-game.

“We know there’s growth in that performance. We know we can improve, but it’s only by getting good results, sometimes, that that comes.”

And Howe is confident that a repeat of last season's consistency, that saw them finish fourth in the Premier League, is only round the corner.

“It always goes in phases,” he added. “The level or the potential for the team, the squad, is high but confidence is such an easy word to use, but such a difficult thing to find sometimes.

“Hopefully, the last two results will have given us that missing ingredient back. We needed a win.”

What remains to be seen against the Blades, who have taken one point from a possible 15 this season, is how much the midweek exertions have affected the team.

Mik