Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe believes his facet’s large Champions League win over Qarabag can act as a reminder of the extent they’re able to reaching.
The Magpies produced a dominant show in Baku, thrashing the Azerbaijani champions 6-1 to take a commanding benefit into subsequent week’s second leg at St James’ Park.
Both Barcelona or Chelsea await the winners within the subsequent spherical.
Newcastle raced right into a 5-0 lead by half-time, overwhelming their hosts in considered one of their most full European performances lately.
Talking afterwards, Howe mentioned the end result ought to reinforce perception contained in the dressing room that this group of gamers can compete with the perfect.
“My hope is that it simply re-affirms our perception that we will be an impressive staff.
“After we’re at our highest, we is usually a match for anyone. I’ve all the time maintained this season that we will be, it’s after all discovering this stage as a lot as we will, as constantly as we will.
“I feel you may see the extraordinary focus from the gamers was there from very early within the recreation after which we’ve acquired the standard once we’re in that form of temper.
“It’s a very helpful time for us to provide a show like this to hopefully simply inform ourselves that we is usually a prime staff once more.”
Anthony Gordon was the star of the evening, scoring 4 occasions. The ahead had by no means beforehand registered a senior hat-trick however left the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium together with his Champions League tally for the season as much as 10 targets, surpassing the nice Alan Shearer’s membership report within the competitors.
Additional targets from Malick Thiaw and substitute Jacob Murphy accomplished the rout, whereas Elvin Jafarguliyev scored a late comfort for Qarabag, which is more likely to matter little for the return journey to the North-East of England.
Regardless of his exceptional private achievement, Gordon centered on the collective efficiency.
“The data are good, after all, however soccer is concerning the staff. Particular person moments solely matter if the staff succeeds and tonight, that was crucial factor.
“I’m very proud, not simply of myself, however of everybody concerned. It’s by no means simple to return right here, so I’m actually pleased for the entire group.”
There was a quick on-field disagreement earlier than considered one of Newcastle’s penalties, with captain Kieran Trippier additionally eager to take duty, however Howe dismissed any suggestion of an issue.
“Anthony naturally needed to take the second penalty and I perceive why there’s a debate over it generally. That’s not clear when there are two in a single recreation. However he took each penalties beautifully and I’m happy with that.
“Kieran’s solely ever making an attempt to assist the staff, so I feel it’s a constructive scenario somewhat than damaging.”
Newcastle will nonetheless strategy the return leg with nice care, notably with Thiaw suspended after amassing a 3rd reserving of the marketing campaign.
“Sure, we’ve had a very good recreation right this moment, however we take nothing as a right within the second leg”, Howe added.
Issues don’t decelerate for the Magpies, who journey to the Etihad to face Manchester Metropolis on the weekend.
