Newcastle United's game against Brentford was not your typical 3pm kick-off on a Saturday afternoon; it felt like a real occasion at St James' Park on the first anniversary of the club's takeover.
It was not just the deafening noise that struck Newcastle players as they walked out of the tunnel before the game, but the sight before their eyes. Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Joe Willock were among those who could not help but turn their heads and glance at Wor Flags' superb display in the Gallowgate End before they gazed at the sea of black and white around the stadium.
Although the players have been able to count on that backing at home for some time now, it continues to inspire them. Nick Pope said in the programme before the game that 'having that top level of support gives a player so much confidence' while Dan Burn told NUFC TV: "I don't think there's anywhere else like it in the country....when the flags are all up, it just gives us that extra bit."
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It takes a certain kind of player to embrace that responsibility, rather than being daunted by it, but Newcastle now have the personnel to play on the front foot. This 5-1 win against Brentford was a timely reminder of that as Howe's clinical side played with intensity, forced the visitors into mistakes and, crucially, took their chances.
"The players really enjoyed the experience of playing in front of that crowd," Howe told reporters after the Brentford game. "Getting the early goal, the feeling around the stadium was one where the players could express themselves in a really positive way. From my perspective, it’s a big thank you to the crowd for enabling the players to do that."
Brentford boss Thomas Frank was the first to admit it was 'very difficult to come here because of the mentality and structure'. Buoyed by around £210m of investment in 2022, Newcastle are finally playing like a home side again after so many years of sitting back.
The numbers tell you as much. In fact, the Magpies have averaged 54% possession, 19 shots and nine corners per game at St James' in their opening five league games at home. In contrast, in Newcastle's first five home top-flight fixtures of last season, the hosts averaged just 35% possession, 11 shots and three corners per game.
Whereas teams did not necessarily fear coming to St James' in those final months of the Ashley era, Everton, Aston Villa and, even, Chelsea won't exactly be relishing their respective trips to Tyneside in the coming weeks. The stadium has become a fortress again with players, fans, owners and staff all on the same page.
With that unity, it is certainly not a coincidence that Newcastle have only lost one Premier League game at St James in 2022 or that Howe's side have suffered just a single defeat in their last 15 top-flight fixtures at home. Incidentally, that loss came against Liverpool, who were chasing a quadruple at the time, back in April.
Newcastle have picked up nine points at St James' this season, which represents nearly two-thirds of the Magpies' overall tally for the current campaign. In truth, Newcastle should have even more points given how dominant Howe's side were in draws against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth at St James last month, but it still took Newcastle until mid-January to accumulate nine points at home last season.
Newcastle have not started a season this well at home since 2011 when Alan Pardew's side went on to finish in fifth place. That is certainly a good omen, but some of the underlying numbers of Newcastle's attacking performances both home and away are perhaps the most eye-catching statistics.
Newcastle have won more corners (70) than any other side in the Premier League this season; no other team has hit the woodwork more times (seven); only Liverpool have swung in more crosses than Newcastle (194); and only Man City and Arsenal have had more shots than Newcastle (143). Crucially, at the other end, Newcastle now have the defence and stability off the ball to be able to play that way. In fact, no other side has let in fewer goals in the top flight so far this season.
Even when Brentford striker Ivan Toney pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 on Saturday, Bruno Guimaraes simply restored Newcastle's two-goal advantage a couple of minutes later. Once upon a time, Newcastle may have crumbled at St James' after such a setback. Not anymore.
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