Eddie Howe was furious during Newcastle’s statement win over Chelsea – journalist
Eddie Howe could barely contain his anger on the touchline as Newcastle United edged closer to Champions League qualification with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Chelsea.
The Magpies’ triumph, sealed by goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães, propelled them to third in the Premier League table, putting European football’s elite competition firmly within their grasp.
Yet the match will be remembered as much for its fiery moments as for its significance in the race for Europe.
St. James’ Park erupted after just 112 seconds when Tonali, the Italian midfielder, lashed home the opener to give Newcastle the perfect start.
The early goal set the tone for what should have been a dominant performance, particularly after Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson saw red before halftime for a reckless challenge on Sven Botman.
Yet instead of capitalizing on their numerical advantage, Newcastle retreated, inviting pressure from a Chelsea side that refused to surrender. The Blues, despite being a man down, controlled large spells of the second half, forcing Howe into tactical adjustments to protect their slender lead.
It wasn’t until deep into stoppage time that Guimarães finally killed off the contest, curling a superb strike into the top corner to send the home fans into raptures.
While the result ultimately went Newcastle’s way, Howe was visibly incensed by Jackson’s first-half challenge on Botman. The Chelsea striker, who had been anonymous up to that point with just seven touches and no shots, clattered into the Newcastle defender in an aerial duel.
Referee John Brooks initially brandished a yellow card, but VAR intervened, upgrading the punishment to a straight red after replays showed Jackson leading with his elbow.
The Premier League’s official match account confirmed the decision, stating that VAR had deemed the challenge “serious foul play,” prompting an on-field review. Local reports claimed Howe was “furious” on the sidelines, not just at the challenge itself but at the initial reluctance to dismiss Jackson outright.
With just two games remaining, Newcastle now sit on the brink of a remarkable achievement. A single victory from their final fixtures—away to Arsenal and at home to Everton—would all but secure their place in next season’s Champions League.
Given their recent record against the Gunners, including three wins this season alone, confidence will be high.
For Chelsea, the defeat was another blow in a turbulent campaign. Jackson’s suspension compounds their problems, leaving them short of attacking options as they scrap for European qualification.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s resilience under pressure continues to impress. They may not have been at their fluent best against Chelsea, but their ability to grind out results when it matters most could define their season.
As the final whistle blew, Guimarães’ celebratory corner-flag tribute to Newcastle legend Tino Asprilla felt symbolic. Just like the Colombian icon in the 1990s, this current side is writing its own history.
And if they can hold their nerve in the coming weeks, the Champions League anthem will soon be ringing out on Tyneside once again.