Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe believes his aspect’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 among their most full European performances in recent times.
Talking afterwards, Howe mentioned the end result ought to reinforce perception contained in the dressing room that this group of gamers can compete with the easiest.
“My hope is that it simply re-affirms our perception that we could be an impressive crew.
“Once we’re at our highest, we could be a match for anyone. I’ve all the time maintained this season that we could be, it’s in fact discovering this degree as a lot as we are able to, as persistently as we are able to.
“I believe you would see the extreme focus from the gamers was there from very early within the sport after which we’ve obtained the standard once we’re in that sort of temper.
“It’s a very helpful time for us to supply a show like this to hopefully simply inform ourselves that we could be a high crew once more.”
Anthony Gordon was the star of the night time, scoring 4 instances. 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 document 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 exceptional private achievement, Gordon targeted on the collective efficiency.
“The data are good, in fact, however soccer is in regards to the crew. Particular person moments solely matter if the crew succeeds and tonight, that was crucial factor.
“I’m very proud, not simply of myself, however of everybody concerned. It’s by no means straightforward to return right here, so I’m actually comfortable for the entire group.”
There was a quick on-field disagreement earlier than one among 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 beautifully and I’m happy with that.
“Kieran’s solely ever attempting to assist the crew, so I believe it’s a optimistic state of affairs quite than destructive.”
Newcastle will nonetheless method the return leg with nice care, notably with Thiaw suspended after amassing a 3rd reserving of the marketing campaign.
“Sure, we’ve had a great sport at this time, however we take nothing with no consideration 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.
