Brilliant comments from Eddie Howe after Wednesday night madness at St James' Park

Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media following last night's Premier League classic at St James' Park, where a much-improved display saw us hold top-of-the-league Liverpool to a 3-3 draw.

Despite having "mixed emotions" about the result, feeling we "should have won" and bemoaning the cheap nature of some of their goals, the boss' post-match message was one of positivity and encouragement.

Performance-wise, Howe felt this was our "best of the season", declaring "we are going to win a lot of games" if we can continue in that vein. And that is certainly the challenge after such a superb display came after toothless efforts against West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Asked for his reaction to the result, Howe said: “Mixed emotions, a big part of me feels we should have won it but a part of me, of course, is pleased we didn’t lose either because it was such a late goal."

"I’m very pleased with the performance, a much more attacking output and better feeling about the team. Really good energy, a really good performance against the best team we’ve played so far in the Premier League this season. A big jump forward, I think.

"Our gameplan was to be ourselves which is difficult against a team like Liverpool, it's a delicate balance. I am really proud. We went toe-to-toe and matched them. It was our best of the season."

Howe did admit to being frustrated at the goals we conceded - Hall and Joelinton were both guilty of cheap giveaways before Liverpool's first two goals - but the boss feels that can't take away from a performance that will see us "win a lot of games" if we hit those levels more often:

"I was disappointed with the goals we conceded but I don't think that should overtake my general feeling. That is much more like us. If we can hit those levels consistently we are going to win a lot of games."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkTrv29Xn4M&ab_channel=RedmenTV2

Asked about Alexander Isak's superb display up top, featuring a stunning goal and an assist, Howe added: "I thought that was his best performance of the season. It was a goal out of nothing for us. This season we've missed those and he's capable of them. Those moments of magic can swing games your way. It was a massive step towards doing that tonight.

"He was elusive to mark. Popping up all over the place. Dribbling with the ball - he's a great dribbler. It was a top performance from him."

Isak was electric but he wasn't the only one. Gordon looked FAR better back on the left, Tonali was outstanding in the no.6 role, Bruno bagged two assists in all-action display from the Brazilian and it was a reminder that he, Tonali and Joelinton can play together effectively in the same midfield three.

Next up, a tricky trip to Brentford. Let's hope we can build on this and begin to reach these same levels away from playing the 'big six' at St James' Park!