Eddie Howe’s five-word response when asked if Newcastle United are safe from relegation

Newcastle United are 15 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone - but Eddie Howe is refusing to admit safety is secured until it’s mathematically done.

The Magpies’ 3-0 victory at Norwich City on Saturday afternoon saw Howe’s side climb up to 9th in the table, a quite remarkable achievement given the club started 2022 in the bottom three.

No team who had failed to win any of their opening 14 matches in the EPL had survived. United have smashed that trend with ease, winning 10 of previous their 14 fixtures.

Asked by NewcastleWord if he’d finally admit his side were safe, Howe said in five words: “Are we mathematically safe? No.”

With Burnley, who take on Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon, still having six fixtures left to play, the Magpies can’t be mathematically safe this weekend.

Should the Clarets lose to Wolves and then Watford next weekend, Newcastle will be safe without needing to beat Liverpool.

On United’s turnaround, Howe said: “When you look back at some of the days we had early on. The Cambridge defeat, the late equaliser Watford scored, they were difficult moments and we were a long, long way from where we are now.

“It’s taken an incredible effort from the players, staff and supporters to lift us to the position we’re in. Can’t thank everyone enough for what they’ve given me and the team.”