Eddie Howe has claimed that the 'game management stuff' has been 'massively overblown' after Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag previously labelled Newcastle United a team who 'try to annoy you'.
Newcastle threw away a whopping 24 points from winning positions in the previous campaign, but the Magpies have become a more streetwise outfit this season. In fact, club captain Jamaal Lascelles has even picked up two yellow cards as an unused substitute, helping his side run down the clock in games against Arsenal and Chelsea.
The ball has been in play for 51 minutes and 41 seconds on average in Newcastle's Premier League games this season, which is the lowest of any side in the top-flight, while only Chelsea and Brentford's games have averaged more added time. The former was a statistic referenced by ten Hag before last month's Carabao Cup final.
