Eddie Howe hails NUFC star and reacts to Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth

Eddie Howe has heaped praise on Sven Botman's "dominant" display in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

It was a rusty performance - especially in the final third - but the Newcastle United boss believes it will do us the "world of good" ahead of Premier League meetings with Leicester and Leeds.

In a match that saw us deliver yet another clean sheet, Howe feels the Dutchman showed his aerial dominance against a physical Keiffer Moore and Dominic Solanke, claiming it was his best game for the club in that respect.

Speaking to the press after the game, the boss had this to say on our big centre-back, before assessing our overall performance on our first competitive match following the World Cup break:

“Sven Botman was excellent tonight - I thought that was his best game for us aerially.

"He was dominant against their strikers. His use of the ball this season has been excellent but he’s also come on a lot in other areas. It was a good night for him - and us.”

Howe then discussed our display on the night, feeling we can learn a lot from a disjointed display that we won, despite not being at our fluent best:

“I didn’t think we were at our fluent best today but I don’t think we were ever going to be because of the build-up to the game. I thought Bournemouth made it difficult for us and good defensively as they were here in the league game.

“We had to be patient and we had to work and keep doing the right things, which I thought we did without being at our very best tonight. I think the game will do us the world of good for what’s ahead.”

“We’ve always viewed every competition as a chance. I told the players in pre-season that we wanted to take the cup seriously and do well in them. When you try and get that message across to the players, they listen. They’re very receptive.

“The games we’ve had have been difficult in this competition but the players have responded. They’re desperate to do well in this competition.”

Asked if he and the players are beginning to believe they can win the Carabao Cup, Howe said: “I don’t think we’re looking too far ahead. Small steps for us.

“Yes, we’re into the next round but now the Premier League takes priority and we look forward to the Leicester game. We’ll look at the next round when it comes around in our calendar.”