Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has once more hit back at accusations that his team are guilty of time-wasting during matches.
The Magpies are back up to third in the Premier League after Sunday's impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester United that saw them leapfrog Erik ten Hag's side in the table.
But before the match at St James' Park, Ten Hag had suggested that Newcastle were becoming known for “delaying” tactics and that referees needed to take action.
“We know they delay, yeah,” said Ten Hag, “It’s something that is what the referees don’t want, they want to have tempo in the game … So they [referees] also have to be consistent to let the game go.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had made similar comments after Liverpool's last-gasp win over the Tyneside club back in August.
“It was hard to take,” the German said following the game at Anfield. “I had no idea if that tonight was on purpose or if their players really had to go down because [they were] slightly injured. I don’t know.”
Howe dismissed the claims of both managers and, speaking ahead of Wednesday's game away to West Ham United, he reiterated that the accusations made against his side were inaccurate.
“I think our first intention is to always play the game and we want, as I said after the game, we want the ball in play,” said the former Bournemouth manager in Tuesday's pre-match press conference.
“I encourage my players all the time to get the ball back in play very quickly. We want to play at a high tempo and want to wear teams down physically. That goes against what was said about us.
“Of course, there’s been times in games where we have to manage the game. We have to use experience, we have to do whatever we can to get a positive result. I’m not saying we won’t do that either. Certainly that’s not our first intention.”
Newcastle 2 Man United 0: Player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 7: Missed League Cup final defeat against same opposition due to suspension and enjoyed easy day between sticks here. Man United managed one shot on target all afternoon - in 56th minute - and that was a weak Antony effort straight at Pope. PA -
Kieran Trippier 8: Combined well with Murphy as Newcastle found joy down right in first half, causing Shaw lots of problems. Captain’s performance defensively as he helped keep England teammate Rashford very quiet. PA -
Fabian Schar 8: Swiss defender helped limit Weghorst to just seven touches in first half. No shock when Dutch striker taken off in second half. Fired swerving strike wide from edge of box just before hour mark. Saw header cleared off line later in second half and then shot wide in injury-time. Reuters -
Sven Botman 8: Dutchman missed out on first international cap due to virus last week but there was no sign of illness here as Botman gave trademark cool and assured display. One of the Premier League signings of the season. AFP -
Dan Burn 8: Home fans’ favourite stood up well to challenge of pacey pair Antony and Rashford, who were switching flanks, although Brazilian did give him one or two moments of concern in first half. But generally excellent game from big defender. PA -
Sean Longstaff 8: Decent first touch was followed by mishit shot as early chance went begging. Flashed fine strike just wide of target later in half. Tireless in middie of park. AFP -
Bruno Guimaraes 9: Lovely nutmeg to make fool of Weghorst in opening 15 minutes. Brazilian’s distribution is crucial for Eddie Howe’s side and his full range of passing skills were on display here. His cross to back post ended up with Willock scoring opener. Pulled the strings and controlled midfield. Getty -
Joe Willock 7: Should have scored rebound after De Gea saved from Isak only to hit ball straight at keeper who was prone on ground. Missed even better chance five minutes before break firing a Saint-Maximin cut-back over bar. Nodded home vital goal, much to former Arsenal’s man relief. Reuters -
Jacob Murphy 7: Plenty of joy early on down right against Shaw and supplied brilliant cross for Isak that Swede nearly scored from. Blazed shot high and wide from edge of box in 25th minute. Impact waned after break. AP -
Allan Saint-Maximin 8: Usual threat running at defenders, continually cutting inside from left, teeing-up chances for Longstaff, Willock and Isak in the first half. Provided headed assist for Willock’s goal and went off to standing ovation. PA -
Alexander Isak 8: Good header across six-yard box to set-up Longstaff’s chance in opening 10 minutes. Took on headed chance himself not long after but denied by De Gea. Beautiful first touch and pass in build-up to Willock goal. EPA -
SUBS: Joelinton (On for Saint-Maximin 69’) 7: Saw header tipped on to bar by De Gea. Getty -
Anthony Gordon (On for Murphy 69’) 7: Sent tantalising ball across six-yard box that was crying out for finish. Reuters -
Callum Wilson (On for Isak 80’) N/A. Headed home crucial second to seal thoroughly deserved three points for Magpies. Reuters Elliot Anderson (On for Willock 84’) N/A. -
MAN UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea 7: Fine double save from Isak and Willock as the Geordies bossed the opening exchanges. Poor before Newcastle’s opener, but then another fine save from Joelinton. Pinned back on corners and the goals were inevitable. EPA -
Diogo Dalot 5: Suffered in previous matches against Newcastle, but started as Wan Bissaka was ill. Had work cut out against Saint Maximim, who was eventually taken off. Tried to beat the much taller Burn in the air. Poor for the second goal. PA -
Raphael Varane 5: Busy first half and helped De Gea out with another Newcastle attack. Blocked an Isak shot just after half-hour, but inactive when pressuring the Swede. Brought off by his manager. Surprisingly poor out of possession. PA -
Lisandro Martinez 5: Gave the ball away to set up early Newcastle attack and outjumped by Isak who headed on target on 16 minutes. Normally athletic, but only the home team were physically impressive. Brought off by his manager. EPA -
Luke Shaw 5: Under pressure down the left. Moved into midfield towards the end of the first half. Stupid tackle on Longstaff, which led to a free-kick and the second goal. Poor performance. AP -
Scott McTominay 5: In after the international highs with Scotland, he played in a more advanced role than usual. A battle with Guimaraes, which he didn’t win. And nor did his midfield. Strong run forward on 73. AP -
Marcel Sabitzer 5: Nowhere near the level of Casemiro, who was badly missed, and the home midfield was far superior. Played deep but got forward into the right position to have a shot on 72 minutes. AP -
Bruno Fernandes 4: Captain, but could barely raise his players on a lacklustre afternoon where Newcastle were better from start to finish. Outclassed. Willock had more shots that the entire Manchester United side. Getty -
Antony 5: Set up Weghorst on 12 minutes, went down soon after as if his life was in danger. It wasn’t, but he shot well wide on 17. Tangled with Burn a few times, set up one of the few first-half attacks for Dalot. Had his side’s first shot on target, a weak one, after 56 minutes. AP -
Marcus Rashford 4: Fuming that he didn’t get a foul after contact with Burn, but barely involved in the match. A ball to nobody near the end was mocked by the partisan crowd. Manchester United never looked like scoring. Getty -
Wout Weghorst 4: Not always his fault, but his team couldn’t get him into the match. Didn’t touch the ball in the first ten minutes as Newcastle started on the front foot, then shot into the side netting. Fewest touches of any starting player. A goalscorer who doesn’t score goals. Getty -
SUBS: Jadon Sancho (On for Antony 62’) 5: Almost nothing from one of the most expensive footballers in the world. Getty -
Anthony Martial (On for Weghorst 62’) 6: Far more of a threat than the Dutchman. His 81st minute shot was deflected wide and he stopped an effort on the line. Getty -
Fred (On for McTominay 84’) N/A. EPA -
Facundu Pellistri (On for Varane 84’) N/A. PA -
Victor Lindelof (On for Martinez 84’) N/A. Reuters
The battle for third and fourth place is hotting up with Newcastle level on 50 points with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United but ahead of both thanks to a vastly superior goal difference.
Next up for the black and whites are three away games in a row – against West Ham, Brentford and Aston Villa – over the Easter period, before a St James' Park return when they take on top-four rivals Spurs.
Howe and his squad will stay in London for five days, covering the games against West Ham and Brentford, with fatigue a concern as the season heads into its home straight.
The coaching staff will make a late call on Joe Willock, scorer of the opening goal against United, who is struggling with a hamstring problem for the Hammers game.
“The three away games is tough but we have been here before. We love playing at home,” said Howe. “But our results on the road have been good and consistent.
“We are going to need to take points on this run. We plan to stay in London and minimise our travelling as we don't want to fatigue our players. We have to get the preparation right.
“There are a few tired bodies in the squad. It was a real physical effort in the game [against Man United]. Hopefully nothing too much. We need to deliver that again.
“West Ham are a really difficult team and they have had a slightly difficult season with all the games they have played in Europe. They have an outstanding manager who has vast experience. I thought they recruited really well last summer and have a strong squad.”
