'Irrelevant' - Eddie Howe on Newcastle United's poor Premier League away form after Man Utd defeat
Eddie Howe reflects on Newcastle United’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United and his team’s poor away record.
Newcastle United’s poor away form in the Premier League continued with a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
The Magpies fell behind in the 24th minute when Nick Woltemade headed clear Diogo Dalot’s long throw but only as far as Patrick Dorgu, who volleyed the ball past Aaron Ramsdale into the bottom right corner.
Eddie Howe’s side saw the majority of the ball in the second half but were unable to find an equaliser.
Eddie Howe reflects on Newcastle United’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United
Reflecting on the defeat, Howe said: “Yeah, a difficult one for us again to work out, really, because I thought there was a real opportunity for us tonight, especially in that first half, to grab the game.
“Especially in midfield, I just felt we turned the ball over far too much in that first period to gain the control that we wanted. We made it a transitional game for us, which, as the away team, you never want.
“Second half was much better, controlled the game much better with the ball. Build-up was really good, and then just our chance creation was... I think we created chances, we just didn't create outstanding chances and the type of chances you need to score, so we're desperately disappointed.”
Howe added: “Away from home, we haven't done well enough in front of goal. I mean, that's obvious.
“Some of the games we've been really flat in front of goal. I think our general performances have been steadily improving. But the feeling that you're going to score at any time, or you can score at any time, or that you've got goals in your team away from home is such a powerful confidence lifter for the team, and we haven't had that enough. Ultimately, that's what's cost us tonight.”
‘It’s irrelevant’ - Eddie Howe on Newcastle United’s poor away form
Newcastle have won just one of their last 12 away league games, which was a 4-1 victory at Everton last month.
When asked what the poor away form was down to and what has to change for it to improve, Howe told NewcastleWorld: “We're not ducking the issue and not trying to be clever, but I think we just need to look at the performances in isolation. Whether they're home or away, it's irrelevant, really.
“I think it's about what the team's identity is on that day and how it plays. If it's home or away, for me, I don't really care.
“So you look back to the Chelsea game, and for 45 minutes we were excellent, everything that we want to be. Today, for the second half, I think we were as good without the goals.
“I think we're closer, as I say, for me, than we've been before this season, but we've still got areas to improve. We need to keep more clean sheets. We haven't kept a clean sheet in a long time in the Premier League. That's not good enough. And we need to score more goals.
“Now, every team will say that, every manager will say that. I believe we have the players to do it, but we need to do more work and tweak certain things to get there.”