It is no surprise at all that Eddie Howe reacted the way he did during his press conference on Friday. In the build-up to Newcastle United’s match against Crystal Palace, plenty of talking points came up, but one moment quickly took centre stage.
A question about the recent win over Burnley, and more specifically the suggestion that Newcastle had been on the end of a Burnley “onslaught”, clearly struck a nerve with the manager. Howe’s response was sharp, direct, and completely understandable.
When asked about this so-called onslaught, Howe looked genuinely baffled. He questioned whether the journalist had even watched the same game, pointing to the match statistics and the overall flow of play. His message was simple: if Newcastle had truly been overwhelmed, he would be the first to admit it.
Yes, Burnley had moments, as every team does, but Newcastle also had plenty of control and created more than enough chances themselves. The idea that Burnley dominated the match just did not match reality.
It is hard not to feel sympathy for Howe in this situation. Media coverage around Newcastle United has become increasingly frustrating, especially from some local outlets who should know better.
Balance and fairness often feel absent, replaced instead by exaggerated headlines and forced negativity. There is a growing sense that certain journalists are chasing clicks rather than truth, pushing dramatic narratives because they believe outrage and criticism attract more attention. At times, it feels as though the coverage is aimed more at pleasing rival fans than reflecting what actually happens on the pitch.
Calling Burnley’s performance an “onslaught” also raises a bigger question. If that match qualifies as Newcastle being under siege, how should we describe other games this season? Against Chelsea, particularly in the first half, Newcastle dominated almost completely.
They created chance after chance and should have been well clear before individual errors allowed Chelsea back into the contest. At Old Trafford, Manchester United spent long spells pinned in their own half, especially after the break, while Newcastle controlled possession and territory. Compared to those matches, the Burnley game hardly fits the dramatic language being used.
Context matters too. Burnley are not a weak side that gets torn apart every week. Before facing Newcastle, they had only lost by more than one goal at home on two occasions, against Arsenal and Chelsea. In most games, they compete well and often lose by narrow margins.
When they went two goals down, it was always likely they would push forward and take risks. They scored a good goal early on, but after that, Newcastle handled the pressure reasonably well.
Despite some decent attacking spells from Burnley, Newcastle defended with discipline. Nick Pope was called into action a few times and did his job, but he was not under constant threat.
Burnley managed only four shots on target in the entire match, with three saves required from Pope after their goal. They did hit the woodwork, but that alone does not define dominance. Newcastle, on the other hand, had clearer chances, including opportunities that should have resulted in more goals, and even had an effort cleared off the line.
The statistics support Howe’s point completely. Newcastle had more shots, more attempts on target, slightly more possession, more corners, and almost double Burnley’s expected goals.
These numbers do not describe a team hanging on desperately. They describe a side that created more, threatened more, and ultimately deserved their win.
What makes the constant negativity even more tiring is the lack of balance in how the season is judged. Yes, Newcastle’s away form has been inconsistent, and that deserves discussion. But it should be mentioned alongside their outstanding home record.
Ten unbeaten matches at St James’ Park, eight wins, two draws, and at least two goals scored in every one of those games is remarkable form. That kind of consistency at home should not be brushed aside.
Injuries also cannot be ignored. Howe has been dealing with a stretched squad, suspensions, and a relentless schedule with matches every few days. Only now are key players starting to return.
Yoane Wissa is getting closer to full fitness, Pope and Joelinton are back, and there is hope that Botman, Trippier, and Tino Livramento will soon be available again. That matters.
Nobody is pretending this season has been perfect. It has not been. But it is far from the disaster some journalists seem desperate to sell. Eddie Howe’s reaction was not arrogance or denial. It was the response of a manager defending his team against an unfair and exaggerated narrative.
