Kieran Trippier says what Eddie Howe won’t as Newcastle United underline Champions League credentials

NEWCASTLE: Kieran Trippier believes Newcastle United should not be scared of talking about Champions League qualification, even if head coach Eddie Howe refrains from any top four talk.

The Magpies went six points clear of Tottenham Hotspur with an emphatic 6-1 win over their closest top four, Premier League rivals.

And while Howe refused to be drawn on his hopes for next season, preferring to focus solely on the next challenge — a trip to relegation-threatened Everton on Thursday night — skipper Trippier has done that for him.

“We let the supporters down last week and it was about responding well. I thought we did that,” the England right-back said in reference to the 3-0 loss at Aston Villa last time out.

“We got some goals early in the game. We showed throughout the season we want to be on the front foot.

“I thought Alex Isak was unbelievable. It’s healthy competition with Callum Wilson. Nobody complains when they don’t play.

“We shouldn’t be scared to say we want to play Champions League football. The games are running out. This stadium would be bouncing with Champions League football.

“I played for Eddie Howe before so I knew what he demanded in training and off the pitch. The players here before him, (Miguel) Almiron, Joelinton, (Jacob) Murphy, have done unbelievable. That comes down to the gaffer’s coaching. He’s making them believe how good they are.”

Howe was much more guarded when it came to talking about the top four.

Post-match, he said: “It’s not for me to say, I saw a very good team playing today, two actually. But there’s a lot of games to go and a lot of points to play for.”

In reference to the game, Howe added: “It’s not often you have a start like that in a game, especially one of such