Eddie Howe is delighted that Newcastle United “showed mental toughness” to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at St James’ Park.
This win over Brighton is Newcastle United’s fifth in six games in the Premier League.
The Magpies made a fast start to the game as they went 2-0 ahead inside the opening 15 minutes. Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar.
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Lewis Dunk pulled a goal back for Brighton in the 55th minute and they made Newcastle defend very well.
Howe’s men were on the back foot for large portions of the game but they hung on to pick up a massive three points.
Newcastle are now 14th in the Premier League and they are seven points clear of the bottom three.
Speaking after the victory, Howe praised his players for “defending well” against a “tough opponent”:
“In terms of result, it’s absolutely fantastic for us. We said pre-game nothing has changed and that we are still in a relegation fight. We still are,” Howe told Sky Sports.
“I have a lot of respect for Brighton. They are a tough opponent. We knew we would be tactically tested.
“We showed mental toughness, especially at 2-1. When they scored the game was very much in the balance but we handled it well. We defended well and put our bodies on the line and did the nasty stuff really well.
“We have got a lot of work to do to be where we want to be. I am very realistic and I know how quickly football can change.
“The supporters have been unbelievable. Today, we needed them to help us over the line. I cannot thank them enough.”
Fraser added post-match that Newcastle “don’t want to look back” now they are “shotting up the table”:
“It’s eight unbeaten now and to do that in the Premier League, we’re shooting up the table. We don’t want to look back.
“It was a difficult game. We sat back when we shouldn’t have. To see out the game, there were nervy moments but it’s a massive win.”
“[The atmosphere] gives you goosebumps the minute you walk out. What a place to be. These are the moments why I signed for this club. It’s got one of the best atmospheres in the world, it’s just rocking. We have got to look up but you know how quickly the Premier League can change.”
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