Newcastle boss Eddie Howe defends controversial substitution decision as tiring Magpies let Premier League points slip

NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe has defended his decision not to call on the cavalry as Newcastle United let two Premier League points slip at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Having talked of his need to manage players’ workload and minutes in recent press conferences, Howe, with his team fatigued from the midweek Champions League battle against Borussia Dortmund, decided to make just one second half change.

That call had many fans scratching their heads, especially as the momentum switched and the lead slipped in the closing stages.

Howe has moved to justify that call, though, explaining the logic behind his thinking.

“It was difficult for us today. We had limited attacking options, so what I want to do when I make a substitute is try to make the team better and play players in their best positions,” said Howe, whose side were twice in front thanks to Callum Wilson in the 2-2 Molineux draw.

“So, if I was to make changes today, it would’ve probably been playing players out of position and I’m reluctant to do that with the game so evenly poised.

“It was certainly a massively tough game for us today. I thought there were two really good teams and probably a really good spectacle for the viewers, but disappointed not to get over the line and win the game. But I’m really proud of what we had to give today, off the back of a really challenging week.”

Both of Wilson’s goals, which took him to seven Premier League for the campaign, had an element of controversy about them. The first, Sean Longstaff was adjudged to not have jumped into Jose Sa in the Wolves goal in the build up to Wilson’s overhead opener. Then again for the second, a foul on Fabian Schar was given the VAR test only to be given as a controversial penalty, which the