Eddie Howe's transfer acumen and decision making justified again but focus is now on big week for recruitment

Newcastle United made a bold move when bringing in another goalkeeper in the summer with Martin Dubravka established as number 1 at St James' Park.

You could argue that other areas needed to be improved first and that a new keeper wasn't the priority. But after making the call to change the man between the posts and bringing in Nick Pope for a bargain £10million fee, Howe's judgement has paid off.

Pope was brilliant at Brighton and faced seven shots on target before emerging with a clean sheet. True, Kieran Trippier proved to be the goalie's best friend with a clearance off the line in the first half but overall Pope commanded his area and we saw his sweeper-keeper capabilities at the Amex Stadium.