When Eddie Howe took charge of Newcastle United exactly one year ago this week, the situation was looking desperate for the incoming manager.
The Magpies were second bottom of the Premier League, without a win from 11 games and five points from safety. To make matter worse, Howe had tested positive for Covid which meant he had to watch his first match – a chaotic 3-3 draw with Brentford – from a hotel room in Gateshead.
Fast forward 12 months and Howe has masterminded a remarkable turnaround that sees the club sitting third in the table after an impressive 4-1 destruction of Southampton on Sunday.
Talk on Tyneside is no longer about the spectre of relegation but the chance of playing European football next season for the first time since 2013.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has even talked up Howe's team as potential Premier League champions. “They have incredible physicality to the way they play and they are playing one game a week, they are not playing in Europe and when this happens that’s a big advantage,” said the Spanish coach.
Howe has since played down the chances of Newcastle winning their first top-flight title since 1927 but admitted before Wednesday's League Cup tie against Crystal Palace that the club is focused on success – and silverware.
“I said at the very beginning that my dream was to try to win something for Newcastle and that hasn't changed,” said the former Bournemouth manager ahead of the third-round game at St James' Park. “We want to do well in the cups.
“When you play any game you have to get the mindset right. Everybody has to have the mindset to win and progress.
“We are ambitious, you have to dream big. The players mirror my thoughts. There are no dead games here – we want to win every game and that's what we will try to do.”
Howe has spent big but spent well since taking over with the club's Saudi-backed ownership splashing out more than £200 million ($229m) on new players.
In the summer, the black and whites brought in England goalkeeper Nick Pope from Burnley and Lille defender Sven Botman, complimenting a backline that had already been strengthened by the arrival of Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn in January.
The improvement is clear for all to see. No club has conceded fewer goals (11) or earned more clean sheets (six) than Newcastle in the Premier League and it this defensive meanness has been the foundation of the team's rise up the table.
In midfield, Bruno Guimaeres – who was another January signing and has just been named in Brazil's World Cup squad – has been so impressive that he has attracted the attentions of Spanish giants Real Madrid, after scoring eight goals in 28 league games since joining.
But it is the performances of players that Howe inherited that has been most eye catching; from the improvement of Swiss defender Fabian Schar, to the reinvention of Joelinton as a powerhouse back-to-box midfielder and the emergence of winger Miguel Almiron as an unlikely goal machine.
Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2: player ratings
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TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 3. A bad day in the office for the Frenchman, who was at fault for both goals. First, he misjudged a Schar long ball and collided with Wilson to leave his net exposed. Then, his poor ball to Sessegnon was intercepted by Longstaff, leaving Almiron to burst into the box and tap in from a tight angle. Getty Images -
Clement Lenglet – 4. Offered plenty from his range of passing to move play forward, but was shaky in defence and was left tangled by one of Almiron’s bursting runs into the box. AP Photo -
Eric Dier – 5. There were some misjudged loose balls from the centre-back, but Dier’s experience came in handy, most notably in the second half sliding in to clear Joelinton’s run after Sanchez was dispossessed. AP Photo -
Davinson Sanchez – 4. Started in place of Cristian Romero but was much less assured than his teammate, and struggled to deal with the press and pace of Newcastle’s frontmen. AP Photo -
Ryan Sessegnon – 5. Full of energy on the left wing, Sessegnon was a constant outlet and formed part of Spurs’ early counter attacks. His highlight going forward was a first-half shot that was cleared by Schar. Defensively, Longstaff and Almiron sometimes got the better of him, and he faded as the game went on. Booked. PA -
Oliver Skipp – 7. Handed his first Premier League start since January, Skipp was continuously looking for a way to move the ball forward with encouraging work on and off the ball. Booked. AP Photo -
Yves Bissouma – 5. Not at his best, the former Brighton player’s best attacking moment came in the first half, but he was unable to keep his effort low from 25-yards out. EPA -
Rodrigo Bentancur – 8. The Uruguayan started well and was given freedom on the left with Bissouma sitting deeper, pressing Newcastle and helping with Spurs’ early breaks. Booked when protesting Newcastle’s first goal. Getty Images -
Emerson Royal – 5. Having served a three-match suspension, Royal returned but saw little attacking promise on the wing until the second half. He was, however, crucial in keeping Newcastle’s lead down after half-time, blocking Joelinton’s shot in the box and clearing a loose ball from the follow-up corner. PA -
Son Heung-Min – 6. The South Korean wasted no time testing Pope, driving forward into the final third within the first minute of the game. Minutes later he fired narrowly over. He should have scored when Kane played a through ball, but his finish lacked the power to get past the goal-line. Getty Images -
Harry Kane – 7. Central to Spurs’ good moves in the first half, Kane’s first shot came just before the half-hour mark when he tested Pope. He went one better at the back post to head home his 10th goal of the season to half the deficit. Getty Images -
SUBS: Ivan Perisic (Sessegnon 61’) – 5. Opted to go for goal when Kane squeezed a ball through several Newcastle shirts, but it was an easy save for Pope. Getty Images -
Lucas Moura (Skipp 67’) – 5. An earlier introduction from the bench for Moura as Spurs looked for an equaliser. He attempted to get on the ball and fire up his side, albeit to no success. Reuters -
Matt Doherty (Lenglet 81’) – N/R. Returned to the bench following the end of Emerson Royal’s three-match suspension, and gave Lenglet a much-needed breather. Reuters -
Ben Davies (Sanchez 81’) – N/R. A late change for Spurs to bring some fresh energy off the bench. AFP -
NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope – 7. The England international was equal to Son’s shot in the first minute and Kane’s later in the first half, but he could do little about his fellow international bundling home a header at close range. Faced 17 shots in total. Booked for time wasting. EPA -
Kieran Trippier – 7. Returning to Tottenham for the first time since his departure in 2019, Trippier was needed to deny his former side with a goal-line clearance early on. Later on, though, he could do little to stop his former teammate Kane from scoring at the far post. Had a lot of touches and looked in fine form. Getty Images -
Fabian Schar – 8. The Swiss defender caught out Spurs’ backline with a superb long ball to Wilson. The pass left Spurs open and the goal exposed for Wilson to tap home. At the other end, he tracked back well to clear Sessegnon’s first-half shot. Reuters -
Sven Botman – 7. A solid display from the Dutch defender. He exuded calmness in the backline during periods of Spurs pressure, and made some crucial clearances. Getty Images -
Dan Burn – 7. Calm and assured display at left-back, with the former Brighton player limiting attacks on his flank. EPA -
Joelinton – 7. The Brazilian was able to shake off a knee injury to start, and he squeezed through Spurs’ backline to meet Schar’s long ball in the opening minutes. Getty Images -
Sean Longstaff – 7. Showed plenty of hunger, and beat Sessegnon to Lloris’ long ball to play Almiron in for Newcastle’s second. PA -
Joe Willock – 7. Returning to the team, the former Arsenal player came close to scoring when his shot took a deflection from Wilson and went narrowly wide of the post. Getty Images -
Bruno Guimaraes – 7. Travelled in time for the game following the birth of his first child and proved to be more than ready for the battle, causing problems for Spurs and controlling the midfield. AP Photo -
Miguel Almiron – 9. The Paraguayan doubled Newcastle’s lead before half time, the confident striker dispossessing Sessegnon before sprinting past Lenglet and tapping past Lloris from a tight angle. Electric all game. Getty Images -
Callum Wilson – 8. Scoring his fourth league goal of the season, Wilson chased Schar’s long ball before colliding with Lloris and chipping the ball into the empty net from distance. Booked. Getty Images -
SUBS: Jacob Murphy (Willock 75’) – N/A. Dropped after a good run in the Newcastle team and didn’t see too much of the ball following his introduction. EPA -
Chris Wood (Wilson 88’) – N/A. A late substitution, but Wood was played in and set on a counter attack before he was brought down by Emerson Royal. Getty Images -
Jonjo Shelvey (Guimaraes 89’) – N/A. Part of a double substitution as he made his first appearance of the season as he returns from a hamstring injury. Reuters
The Paraguayan – who went into this season having managed just 14 goals in 123 appearances – has been in scintillating form scoring seven times in his last seven games, including a stunning volley at Fulham that earned him October's goal of the month award on BBC's Match of the Day.
“We don’t expect Miggy to be scoring shots from 30 yards every week,” Howe said ahead of the Southampton win. “If you put the recent strikes together, you get a show reel of outstanding goals. But I get just as much pleasure from his second goal at Fulham which was from six yards out.”
Next up is Patrick Vieira's Eagles in a competition where Newcastle have a miserable record, having never gone beyond the last eight since losing to Manchester City in the final back in 1976. In the last five seasons alone, they have failed to make it beyond round two on four occasions.
And while the Howe mantra is “win every game”, there will inevitably be changes to the starting XI for what is the second of three games in six days.
“We have got a lot of players who are eager to play and show their qualities,” he said. “We will try to make the right call for the team while acknowledging that we are desperate to progress and do well in the competition. I have got to make the right choices and get the balance right.”
Newcastle 1 Everton 0: player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 7: Nothing to do in opening 45 minutes as Everton had one attempt on goal and none on target. Same story after break as, despite more possession, Everton failed to register another attempt. Getty -
Kieran Trippier 8: Newcastle’s captain is in superb form both defensively and offensively at the moment. Works well with Almiron down right and his delivery on crosses is always a threat. getty -
Fabian Schar 8: Booked for shoving Gordon after fracas just before half-time was rare moment of Swiss defender losing cool. Helped secure the Magpies another clean sheet and also showed his confidence with a few surging runs forward out from the back. PA -
Sven Botman 8: The ice man at the heart of Newcastle’s defence who helped keep Clavert-Lewin very quiet and continues to look a superb signing for Eddie Howe's team. Getty -
Dan Burn 8: Big left-back up against lively opponent in Gordon but did well with Everton winger switching flanks after break. Headed Trippier corner wide of target just before half-time. Getty -
Sean Longstaff 5: Frustrating game for Geordie midfielder after playing well at Old Trafford, with too many sloppy passes, as well as being caught in possession a couple of times – one of which when an early shot was on and chance went begging. Reuters -
Joelinton 6: Booked for cynical foul on Onana in first half when Brazilian’s passing radar was off-kilter. Picked up knock and failed to appear for second half which will be concern for Magpies. Reuters -
Bruno Guimaraes 8: Teed-up Almiron’s goal with simple pass into teammate’s path then should have put Newcastle two-up minutes later but pulled shot wide. Closer later in half with side-footed finish flashing just past post. Ran centre of park. Reuters -
Jacob Murphy 7: Winger nearly opened scoring in first 10 minutes, cutting in from left and sending shot just over bar. Enjoying his run in team at moment and given well-earned ovation when taken off in second half. PA -
Miguel Almiron 8: Wonderful curling first-time finish over Pickford to put Newcastle in front with his fourth goal in four games. Sent another curling effort wide of goal just after half-time and is currently in best form since moving to Tyneside. Getty -
Callum Wilson 7: Saw difficult headed chance from just inside box easily saved by Pickford in first half. Involved in angry confrontation with Gordon just before break, had ambitious overhead kick blocked by Coady just after. Led line well but no clear opportunities on goal. PA -
SUBS: Joe Willock (On for Joelinton 46’) 6: Had head in his hands after failing to get head on one superb whipped in Trippier free-kick. Headed a cross from fellow substitute Anderson wide. Reuters -
Ryan Fraser (On for Almiron 73’) 6: Left limping after nasty Tarkowski tackle. EPA -
Elliot Anderson (On for Muprhy 73’) 6: Tried to get Newcastle back on front foot after coming on with some attacking runs. PA -
Chris Wood (On for Wilson 87’) N/A. EPA -
EVERTON RATINGS: Jordan Pickford 7: Former Sunderland goalkeeper was given his usual ‘warm’ reception from home fans. No chance with Almiron’s quality finish. Reuters -
Seamus Coleman 7: One vital clearance from Wilson cross with Murphy poised to finish and generally did well against the latter who is a pacey customer. EPA -
James Tarkowski 7: Given pat on back by teammates for blocking cross with Newcastle players lining up in middle as home side stepped up pressure following goal. Booked for poor challenge on Newcastle substitute Fraser. Getty -
Conor Coady 7: In right place to block acrobatic Wilson attempt early in second half and generally a solid night’s work from England centre-half. Getty -
Vitaly Mykolenko 5: Ukrainian full-back nowhere to be seen as Almiron had time and space to put Magpies in front. Allowed Paraguayan to cut inside and fire shot just wide of target in second half. PA -
Idrissa Gueye 6: Midfielder, now back in second spell at club, allowed Guimaraes too much time to boss middle of park, particularly in first half. Booked for hauling down Wilson. AP -
Amadou Onana 6: Didn’t cover himself with glory going down holding head in first half after minimal contact from Wilson. Some nice give-and-goes with teammates but nothing cutting edge or capable of cutting through well organised home defence. Getty -
Alex Iwobi 6: Little influence in first half but, like Everton as whole, came into the game just after half-time and caused home team a few problems before being replaced. Reuters -
Anthony Gordon 6: Back in team following suspension and picked up another booking just before break after reacting furiously to Newcastle accusations of diving following Burn challenge. Lucky not to see red for foul on Anderson in second half. Getty -
Demarai Gray 7: Needed more defensively first half with Trippier and Almiron causing problems down Everton’s left flank. Fanstastic run just after break when he left Trippier for dead but Newcastle cleared his ball into middle. Everton’s biggest attacking threat, which wasn’t saying much. EPA -
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 5: Striker, making first start of season, shown very early yellow card for needless foul on Guimaraes. Headed Gray corner over bar after 25 minutes but little other threat. Getty -
SUBS: Neale Maupay (On for Calvert-Lewin 73’) 5: No impact. Getty -
James Garner (On for Iwobi 73’) 5: Failed to offer Everton any much-needed spark. EPA Dwight McNeil (On for Gray 79’) N/A.
