Eddie Howe quashes top-four talk after 1-0 victory over Chelsea

NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe is refusing to be drawn into the debate about whether European qualification beckons for his Newcastle United side.

The Magpies are almost certain to finish the calendar year in the Premier League’s top four after their latest win over Champions League outfit Chelsea. Joe Willock scored the only goal on Tyneside on Saturday as Newcastle made it five wins on the bounce in the top flight, ensuring their best start to the season since 1995/96.

However, Howe will not comment on whether he thinks his team will qualify for Europe for the first time in a decade.

“I don’t know about that, I just think for us, we’ve just committed to every game,” said head coach Howe when asked about Europe.

“We haven’t thought about any permutation or any consequence of the games, we’ve just tried to win them and think that’s the best way for us to attack the second half of the season as well.”

Speaking about the performance, Howe continued: “I thought it was a very, very good performance from us tonight, a really high-level game, I thought, between two very good teams.

“Night games here are always very special occasions and tonight didn’t disappoint. I do think it was two very good teams, as I say. It’s tactically very interesting whenever you come up against Graham’s teams, they are so well set-up.

“But I thought we performed, a really good physical effort, incredible intensity in both phases of the game and yes, we’re delighted to win.”

It took the Magpies until March 10, 2021 to reach the 30-point mark — they’ve managed it by November, and in just 15 games.

“It’s nice to hear that. Last season was a very, very difficult season, a very different one to the one we’re experiencing this time around,” said Howe