Here are the latest Newcastle United headlines for Tuesday, April 4.
Anthony Gordon verdict
Anthony Gordon is a "player in the making" at Newcastle United according to Eddie Howe. The £45million man has had a stop-start opening to his Toon career but is now knocking on the door to be in the opening line-up after an ankle injury. Gordon came on as substitute in the 2-0 win over Manchester United and showed exactly what he's capable of.
Howe said: "He's in a much better place now. He used the international break to get his ankle right. He came back ahead of schedule so really pleased with that. He's got a brilliant mentality and I think he's a top player in the making."
READ MORE: Joe Willock sends message to Gareth Southgate after stunning Newcastle United displays
Howe's 'compete' message
Eddie Howe has vowed that Newcastle United are not doing anything 'intentionally' other than 'playing our hardest' after Manchester United were the latest side rattled by the Magpies.
The intensity that Newcastle played with served as the perfect riposte to Erik ten Hag's remarks before the game, when the Manchester United boss said 'we know they delay', after the Dutchman made similar comments before the Carabao Cup final five weeks previously. Yet, tellingly, it was Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea who was taking his time with goal kicks from the off.
How ironic, then, that ten Hag took issue with Nick Pope doing likewise late on, which led to Howe standing up to his opposite number on the touchline during a heated exchange. When asked if his team had got under the skin of their rivals, after previously irking Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Howe could only laugh a few days on.
"I don't know - you will have to ask them that!" the Newcastle head coach told reporters. "All we are trying to do is try and win the game that we are playing, the next game. We are not doing anything intentionally other than playing our hardest to compete to win the match."
'Diligent' Saint-Maximin
Allan Saint-Maximin has left Eddie Howe impressed after his 'diligent' display against Manchester United.
The French winger suffered an injury-ravaged first half to the season and had to fight to get his place back in Howe's team. But after laying on an assist for Joe Willock and keeping Man United on their toes last Sunday in the 2-0 win, the Newcastle manager is pleased with his progress.
With Saint-Maximin looking good to keep his place against West Ham tomorrow night, Howe said: "I thought he gave a really good all-round performance really. Let's start with the ball - he's a natural dribbler, he wants to dribble with the ball, I think everyone knows that.
"But I thought his decision-making on when to dribble and when to pass was very good. He got an assist, so his end product was there in his game, and defensively he was diligent - he recovered back in and he performed well for the team, so I'm delighted with him personally."
READ NEXT
Newcastle make mockery of ten Hag dig as Eddie Howe reacts to Manchester United touchline spat
Eddie Howe hits back at Erik ten Hag 'nonsense' as Newcastle boss shuts Man United coach down
Newcastle send statement to Manchester United and Eddie Howe stands up to Erik ten Hag- 5 things
Eddie Howe stands up for Newcastle as Manchester United try to get into referee Attwell's head
Eddie Howe bites back after Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's 'annoying' Newcastle dig
