Thoughts on the game?
Big win. Really happy. A really tough place to come here. They are a really good side, they are extremely well coached and they made it tough for us. We made it tough for them as well. I think we were excellent especially in attacking phases when we had the space and the way they defend they make it very open and we made the most out of it. We had moments that we discussed before where we were going to suffer and defend deeper. There were moments where we should have done better and we put ourselves in trouble, but that’s the learning part and every game is a huge test.
What can you say about Odegaard?
Again, that he’s doing what we want him to do which is to decide football matches and work really had and deliver to the team what it needs in each moment of every game, which is different. The four front players scored again. Eddie scoring again, Bukayo and Martinelli. In crucial moments as well. That’s what we want, that those players decide football matches when the team needs it and they’re doing it.
You have a seven-point gap now. How much of a psychological boost is that?
It’s still a long run to go. My excitement comes from going into the dressing room when the players are talking about what they should have done better today. That means that they know that we can still player better and be better and against Newcastle we have to be better.
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How did you feel when they almost made it 4-3?
In this league I’ve seen it all. I’ve been in this country for 20 years so I’ve seen it. I could expect that momentum shift really quickly and it’s difficult to stop it. The goal got disallowed and we had much more room to win the game but you have to be prepared for that. You don’t come to this place, with this team and get a comfortable win. It doesn’t happen.
There was a moment just before Martin’s goal when Martinelli was about to run straight forward and you said ‘calm down’. He did and then it was a nice move which led to the corner. How important are those little moments in games like this?
It’s just understanding what the team needs in every moment. What’s the emotional state of the game and what is required to do. They are understanding that better and better and they are free flowing at the moment. You can see that understanding. There is good timing between them and they are scoring goals, which is really important for the team.
How did you feel they managed the game after conceding the first goal?
That’s it. It’s (about) how do you react when they’re going to apply pressure and the crowd is going to get on your back. Mentally, how you cope with those moments. The team is getting more mature and that was a big test today.
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