Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe believes his facet’s big Champions League win over Qarabag can act as a reminder of the extent they’re able to reaching.
The Magpies produced a dominant show in Baku, thrashing the Azerbaijani champions 6-1 to take a commanding benefit into subsequent week’s second leg at St James’ Park.
Both Barcelona or Chelsea await the winners within the subsequent spherical.
Newcastle raced right into a 5-0 lead by half-time, overwhelming their hosts in one in every of their most full European performances lately.
Talking afterwards, Howe stated the end result ought to reinforce perception contained in the dressing room that this group of gamers can compete with the perfect.
“My hope is that it simply re-affirms our perception that we could be an impressive group.
“After we’re at our easiest, we is usually a match for anyone. I’ve all the time maintained this season that we could be, it’s after all discovering this degree as a lot as we are able to, as constantly as we are able to.
“I believe you might see the extraordinary focus from the gamers was there from very early within the sport after which we’ve bought the standard after we’re in that form of temper.
“It’s a extremely helpful time for us to supply a show like this to hopefully simply inform ourselves that we is usually a prime group once more.”
Anthony Gordon was the star of the night time, scoring 4 occasions. The ahead had by no means beforehand registered a senior hat-trick however left the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium along with his Champions League tally for the season as much as 10 targets, surpassing the nice Alan Shearer’s membership file within the competitors.
Additional targets from Malick Thiaw and substitute Jacob Murphy accomplished the rout, whereas Elvin Jafarguliyev scored a late comfort for Qarabag, which is more likely to matter little for the return journey to the North-East of England.
Regardless of his outstanding private achievement, Gordon targeted on the collective efficiency.
“The information are good, after all, however soccer is in regards to the group. Particular person moments solely matter if the group succeeds and tonight, that was an important factor.
“I’m very proud, not simply of myself, however of everybody concerned. It’s by no means simple to return right here, so I’m actually completely satisfied for the entire group.”
There was a quick on-field disagreement earlier than one in every of Newcastle’s penalties, with captain Kieran Trippier additionally eager to take accountability, however Howe dismissed any suggestion of an issue.
“Anthony naturally needed to take the second penalty and I perceive why there’s a debate over it generally. That’s not clear when there are two in a single sport. However he took each penalties fantastically and I’m happy with that.
“Kieran’s solely ever attempting to assist the group, so I believe it’s a constructive scenario moderately than destructive.”
Newcastle will nonetheless method the return leg with nice care, significantly with Thiaw suspended after amassing a 3rd reserving of the marketing campaign.
“Sure, we’ve had a very good sport at the moment, however we take nothing as a right within the second leg”, Howe added.
Issues don’t decelerate for the Magpies, who journey to the Etihad to face Manchester Metropolis on the weekend.
