Newcastle notes: Major unexpected lifeline, cheers on…

Newcastle notes: Major unexpected lifeline, cheers on the motorway and Eddie Howe's cool response

Newcastle United were handed an unexpected lifeline as they made their way home from Villa Park.

Indeed, just as Eddie Howe's battling Magpies were digesting a tough defeat at the hands of Villa news of another shock defeat was filtering through the airwaves. And by the time fans were halfway up the motorway there were cheers as AFC Bournemouth's last gasp victory at Tottenham Hotspur ensured that it was effectively as we were in the Premier League.

But while Howe will have been relieved to get a favour from his old club, he will also no doubt rue the chance Newcastle had to pull away from Spurs in the table. Yet things could have been much worse on Saturday and while the alarming defeat in the second city was one thing, Newcastle's three-point lead over faltering Tottenham is still in place plus that game in hand.

Victory at St James' Park for Newcastle next Sunday could just about drain the self-belief out of Spurs. The 3-0 defeat at Villa was worrying but normal service could soon be resumed on Tyneside.

Eddie Howe's calm demeanour

Howe has arguably looked more irritated after victories this season than he was at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon. Knowing his side were second best but having the confidence to put things right on the training field, Howe stayed cool in the heat of this painful reverse.

Howe summed his feelings up after the game and said: "As I’m sat here now, I’d want to see the game again before making far-reaching assessments of what I’ve seen. "The game always looks different with no emotion.

"There were some good bits for us today, some moments where you think something could drop for us or happen. "But there was no product to our work. It’s a disappointing day we have to analyze, but then move on quite quickly because at this stage of the season, with so few games to go, you really want to focus on what’s ahead not what’s gone."

The offer nobody would have refused beforehand

Had Newcastle fans been offered six points from six from three away games over the Easter holidays, few would have turned that down. Having smashed West Ham 5-1 and beaten a good Brentford side last weekend when not at their best, Newcastle have still had a good stint on the road.

True, beating Villa would have been icing on the cake for Howe's troops but going into the final eight games Newcastle have one hand on a Champions League place. It's now in their grasp to qualify for Europe's top table for the first time in 20 years. Today's loss could prove to be a mere bump in the road.

Newcastle notes: Major unexpected lifeline, cheers on the motorway and Eddie Howe's cool response

Eddie Howe's calm demeanour

The offer nobody would have refused beforehand

READ NEXT