Newcastle upon Tyne – Eddie Howe is optimistic that Newcastle United's recent 2-1 victory over Manchester City at St. James' Park could mark a significant turning point in their Premier League season. Following a brace from Harvey Barnes, the Magpies managed to overcome a series of defeats against West Ham and Brentford, delivering a performance that has boosted the team's morale.

Howe expressed his hope that the win could serve as a foundation for improved results. He emphasized the importance of building momentum and restoring the team's confidence. "We can only do that by winning, and you're looking for turning points and moments in which you can direct your season where you want it to go," Howe stated. He contrasted the feeling after the West Ham and Brentford losses with the positivity generated by the win against Man City, which he felt his players deserved.

This victory was Howe's first against a team managed by Pep Guardiola in 17 attempts. However, Howe stressed that the win's importance was for Newcastle, not for his personal record. He acknowledged the painful defeats over the years and underscored the significance of the win for the team.

In his pre-match program notes, Howe acknowledged Manchester City's strength, recognizing them as title contenders due to their squad's quality, experience, and the talent of their manager. He highlighted the exciting matches between Newcastle and City in the past but emphasized the need for Newcastle to perform at their best to achieve a positive result.

Before the match against Man City, Newcastle played Athletic Club in the UEFA Champions League, where they secured a 2-0 victory. Howe noted the team's ambition to advance in the competition and their strong start in the game, with goals from Dan Burn and Joelinton.

Howe also mentioned a previous match against Brentford, where despite leading at halftime with a goal from Harvey Barnes, a red card for Dan Burn proved to be a turning point, leading to a defeat.

During the international break, Howe and his staff focused on carrying their Champions League and Carabao Cup form into their league campaign. He saw the match against Manchester City as an opportunity to achieve this goal.

Looking back at a previous season, a tactical adjustment made by Eddie Howe helped the team recover from a mid-season slump and secure a spot in the Champions League. The adjustment involved shifting the focus of their pressing game to disrupt opponents' build-up play rather than solely trying to win the ball back in defensive areas. This change led to more direct attacks and created scoring opportunities.