Eddie Howe has found himself in a puzzling situation at Newcastle United as his team’s Premier League struggles contrast sharply with their sparkling form in the Champions League.
While Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes have been prolific in Europe, they are still searching for their first Premier League goals of the season.
Gordon has already scored four goals and provided an assist in just three Champions League matches, while Barnes has netted three times, showcasing their attacking flair and composure on the continental stage.
Jacob Murphy continues to be a key creative outlet, supplying Gordon with his second assist in the Champions League this season, while Anthony Elanga earned the Player of the Match award after his superb display in the 4-0 victory against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Newcastle’s wingers are clearly thriving in Europe, yet their performances in domestic competition tell a different story one that has left Eddie Howe scratching his head.
Following Newcastle’s recent 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League, Howe publicly admitted that his wide players needed to offer more.
Speaking after the match, he said he expected greater output from his wingers, creative midfielders, and full-backs, highlighting the need for collective responsibility across the pitch.
According to Howe, Newcastle’s creative force has long been a key element of their attacking identity, but it hasn’t clicked in the league this season.
“I think the wingers can do more, the creative midfielders can do more, our full-backs can do more,” Howe said. “They have been an incredible creative force for us for a long time.
We need goals from set pieces, from free kicks and corners there are many ways to score. We’re always in meetings, reviewing everything as individuals, as units, and as a team. There’s an onus on the attacking players to contribute, but sometimes the reason for a problem isn’t what it seems. Everyone myself included needs accountability to find a solution.”
Howe’s comments came before Newcastle’s commanding European performance, which saw his wingers deliver the perfect response. The challenge now, however, is to replicate that same energy and sharpness in the Premier League.
With Fulham set to visit St James’ Park, Newcastle will be aiming to make it three consecutive home victories across all competitions. The match carries extra importance given Fulham’s success against the Magpies last season, where they completed a double with a 3-1 win at Craven Cottage and a 2-1 comeback victory at St James’ Park.
When asked about the inconsistency between his wingers’ European and domestic form, Howe admitted even he was baffled. “Yeah, that’s a head-scratcher for me as well,” he said.
“We know their qualities. We know they’re goal-scorers. We know how good they are. It’s not just them there are a few others in the squad who fall into that category.
People have been saying we’re not scoring enough in the Premier League, and that’s true, but when you see us perform like we did tonight the attacking intent, the chances we created it’s difficult to make sense of it.”
Still, Howe remains optimistic. He believes that if his team maintains their confidence, hard work, and attacking mindset, their Premier League form will eventually mirror their European brilliance.
“All we can do is return to the Premier League and carry that same attitude,” he said. “If the attitude is right, the quality will show.”
Newcastle’s supporters will certainly hope so. Their Champions League form has reminded everyone of the attacking potential within this squad, but to climb the Premier League table, consistency is key.
With key players firing in Europe and the manager demanding accountability across the team, there’s every reason to believe that Newcastle’s fortunes in the league could soon turn around — and that their wide players will rediscover their scoring touch where it matters most.
