Newcastle 4-1 PSG: Eddie Howe reflects on 'amazing evening' and credits fans and players for huge win

Eddie Howe reflected on an “amazing evening” for Newcastle United as his side beat Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

After their draw with Milan in the San Siro in their opening game, they now sit top of Group F, which was labelled a ‘group of death’ given the presence of Borussia Dortmund as well.

PSG were underwhelming and Newcastle largely nullified their attacking threat, while producing their own impressive attacking moments.

While they had just a quarter of the ball in the game, they had eight shots on target, six more than the French champions.

Understandably, Howe was delighted, and he told TNT Sports after the match: “An amazing evening for us, it really was. So many stories to talk about within the game itself, but just delighted for everyone connected with the club. Supporters, what they gave us tonight was incredible.”

Given the amount of possession they gave up, the Newcastle manager picked out their defensive efforts as well as their offensive performance.

Howe said: “We had to [defend] - such a good team we had to defend.

“Collectively, our spirit and our energy was excellent, I thought we created the positive things we had in the first half. Really aggressive pressing, the hallmark of us when we perform well. The second half we really had to dig deep and try and get over the line."

On his side's fast start, which saw Miguel Almiron score after 17 minutes, he continued: “I think it was important that we start well and the goal came at a good time for us because we were hunting them, trying to put pressure on them, and disturb their build-up.

"They were trying to play through us and they had success at times. It was a real interesting game of cat and mouse. The goal was a reward for all the times we tried and didn't get there. Thankfully that one went in and it was another great goal.”

Howe also credited the Toon Army for their vocal support, witnessing a Champions League match at home for the first time in two decades.

“Amazing support, the atmosphere pre-game was electric,” he said. “They really inspired us, they always do. I’m really thankful that we were able to reward them with the win. Total commitment from the players. I’m delighted.”

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