Eddie Howe needed this win. It might prove consequential

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But these were not acts of jubilation, they were very much acts of sheer relief. Everything about this win, for everyone at every level of the club, felt massive — particularly considering they had all endured the most draining and, at times, excruciating of second halves. “On an emotional level, that was a massive win,” Howe told reporters. “I’ll level with you, there was a moment (last night) where I woke up and I thought, ‘Oh dear, what day is it?’. Which is really unusual for me. I’m a very good sleeper, but there was obviously some anxiety.” In reality, all this win does is halt a dreadful run of form — five straight defeats in all competitions, nine losses in 12 in the Premier League, and five in six in the top flight on Tyneside. It lifts Newcastle from an alarming pre-match position of 15th to the lofty heights of 13th, and extinguishes any relegation concerns. In a macro sense, therefore, this triumph has not dramatically altered anything. A solitary victory will not decisively alter opinions, among the hierarchy or the fanbase, and it can only be a platform from which Howe and his team build. Yet on a micro level — and especially for the head coach — this win felt essential and absolutely huge. As the defeats racked up, the noise surrounding Howe’s longevity had grown louder. That made for an extremely uncomfortable week for the head coach, with significant intrigue and attention placed upon Newcastle’s Matfen Hall meetings, and Howe’s presence at the Northumberland country house alongside a 25-strong delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the club’s majority owners. The purpose of the annual off-site get-together had never been to determine Howe’s future, even if the 48-year-old did present his case for the defence of an often wretched Premier League campaign, but perception and actuality are rarely identifiable in fraught moments. Al-Rumayyan, the chairman, was in town, so another loss was almost unthinkable for Howe. Rather than be cowed by the watching owners — Jamie Reuben, the minority stakeholder with whom Howe speaks regularly, was also on Tyneside — the head coach was brave with his team selection. Newcastle’s bench cost a combined £335million ($455m), featuring five summer signings bought at his behest (albeit during a complicated and challenging window), yet Howe did not bow to those fans who have called for Nick Woltemade and/or Yoane Wissa. Instead, Will Osula, Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock — a striker who started the season as fourth choice, a pre-takeover acquisition who has laboured this campaign, and a backup midfielder who is highly likely to depart — led the line for a second successive match. For 45 minutes, their pace, energy and directness gave Newcastle the genuine goalscoring threat that had been absent for months. Bart Verbruggen’s howler gifted Newcastle an opportunity, but Murphy’s determination and precise cross teed up Osula to nod in the opener. The second came from Bruno Guimaraes’ wicked corner delivery and was headed in by Dan Burn — and, as torturous as the second half became, doubling the lead felt critical, given they have dropped a Premier League-high 25 points from winning positions this season. “I agree, the second goal was a big moment in the game,” Howe said. “We knew the game wasn’t over, far from it, but we haven’t done that enough (previously) and we’ve had opportunities to.” By half-time, Newcastle’s non-penalty expected goals (xG) — which measures the quality of their chances — was 2.14, their highest of the campaign and the eighth-best in the Premier League this season. Throughout the second half, the (small-picture) magnitude of a prospective victory weighed heavy on Newcastle, which Brighton preyed on. Josh Hinshelwood’s goal ended a wonderful team move, but it was preceded by Nick Pope’s poor lofted ball. The goalkeeper made three top-class saves that ultimately won the game for Newcastle — Harvey Barnes added the home side’s third in stoppage time — but Pope’s shortcomings also put his team under increased pressure. As uneasy as this victory felt, Newcastle ultimately found a way to win. In the process, Howe ended his joint-longest league losing run with Newcastle (four games), and secured a first top-flight win by more than a one-goal margin since the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on January 4. “You need to stop the rot,” Burn said afterwards. “You just need to put an end to what’s been going on and get a result, no matter what. It wasn’t our prettiest performance, but a lot’s been spoken about the number of points we’ve given up from winning positions, so to see it out is huge psychologically.” Collective chants of, “Eddie Howe’s black-and-white army,” from large sections of the crowd, when Newcastle were 2-0 up but creaking, felt symbolic. The chorusing was not universal, but it was substantial and was surely noted by the owners. Such is the fickle way of things at Newcastle, following (fair) questions about whether the club were in a relegation battle following defeat at Arsenal, Howe was asked whether European qualification is still feasible. Guimaraes, the captain, told the BBC that remains the target, even if eighth-placed Bournemouth are four points ahead with a game in hand. The fact is Newcastle are still below Sunderland and may yet finish in the bottom half of the table. In the grand scheme of things, their Premier League campaign remains an underperformance and that is unlikely to change. But in the isolation of the here and now, this victory over Brighton felt enormous. For Howe and his own future, it may yet prove consequential, too. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms