Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe believes Manchester Metropolis are nonetheless the “benchmark” to purpose for regardless of their struggles this season.
Having gained the earlier 4 Premier League titles amongst numerous different trophies, Pep Guardiola’s facet have dipped under their typical requirements this season and at present discovered themselves in fifth, degree on factors with Saturday’s opponents Newcastle.
Their uncharacteristically poor marketing campaign suffered one other hit on Tuesday after they capitulated late on to lose in opposition to Actual Madrid at house which leaves their Champions League marketing campaign in critical doubt.
However moderately than choose the Residents alone, Howe is rather more involved with the broader image and believes they’re nonetheless a power to be reckoned with.
Forward of Saturday’s Premier League conflict on the Etihad, the Toon boss stated: “I don’t assume you essentially have a look at it over that time frame. I believe it’s a must to have a look at it over a for much longer time frame.
“I believe they’ve been sensational, and so constant, for therefore many seasons, which is so troublesome to do at this degree due to the usual of the groups. I believe that’s what we’ve seen actually, the requirements of the Premier League, congesting in its power, actually.
“Each workforce could be very troublesome to play in opposition to. We’ve discovered lately in a few house video games, if you happen to drop by 1%, you may get crushed. Each recreation could be very troublesome, nothing’s given to you.
“I believe it’s been nice for the Premier League since you by no means know what what’s gonna occur whenever you go to a stadium now, any stadium.
“And I believe it’s producing a very entertaining Premier League this yr, however Manchester Metropolis are nonetheless a really, excellent workforce, I believe statistically at house they’ve nonetheless been very robust.
“So for me they’re nonetheless the benchmark and we have now to attempt to produce our greatest efficiency to attempt to get one thing for this match.”
Eddie Howe speaks to the media forward of tomorrow’s journey to face Manchester Metropolis 🗣️
You’ll be able to watch the boss’ press convention as dwell on the Official Newcastle United App now 📲 pic.twitter.com/CYONu7LySk
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) February 14, 2025
Isak v Haaland
Saturday’s recreation sees two of the Premier League’s finest strikers go head-to-head, with Metropolis boasting Erling Haaland of their ranks and Alexander Isak hoping to encourage Newcastle.
The duo have scored 19 and 17 targets respectively within the Premier League this season and Howe believs getting probably the most of out of his Swedish striker is essential to securing victory on the Etihad.
He stated: “You have a look at Haaland’s consistency over an extended time frame, there’s little doubt in that and Alex is definitely doing the identical. Since he’s come to this membership, I believe he’s been been completely sensational for us.
“So we’re trying to attempt to get him within the recreation as a lot as we will and I all the time say the identical factor, we have to present the inspiration for him to carry out at his finest ranges.
“Alex has to carry out as effectively, however you already know, in a majority of these video games, he’s perhaps not gonna get the a great deal of possibilities however we have to attempt to get him in the best areas and attempt to get him the ball in the important thing areas.”
Newcastle workforce information: Gordon and Burn ought to function, Botman progressing
Howe supplied an replace on the health of Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn and Sven Botman.
“Anthony [Gordon] ought to be superb, he has educated this week, no issues,” the Magpies boss added. “It was a thigh downside, however he responded effectively to remedy over the weekend and has educated effectively.
“It’s excellent news on [Sven Botman] scan, we don’t assume there’s any long-term challenge there. Quick time period there’s nonetheless a little bit of ache for him, we predict he’ll miss this weekend. Hopefully gained’t be distant for the next video games.
“The preliminary look on Dan [Burn] wasn’t constructive however, he had a scan which was good, he has improved lots in a short time, so he could possibly be shut this weekend.”
