‘That was a huge statement…’ Eddie Howe reflects on tremendous Champions League night against PSV

Eddie Howe watched on as his Newcastle United team hammered PSV 3-0.

A dangerous Champions League opponent made to look very ordinary.

However, this was only due to the excellent tactical set-up from Eddie Howe and how well his Newcastle United players implemented it.

Eddie Howe summing up this 3-0 victory over a PSV team that had hammered Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield and thumped Napoli 6-2 in Eindhoven: “It was a really good performance against a difficult opponent. Tactically, they are tough to play against. We were rewarded with some really good goals. I thought PSV pressed us well. We knew they would. With Malick [Thiaw] and Sven [Botman] using the ball as well as they did, it gave us a way out. The players embraced the challenge and I thought it was the best individual performances from a lot of the players for a while. A lot of the players have excelled in this competition this year and Anthony Gordon is one of those.”

Yoane Wissa was named man of the match after scoring the first goal and getting an assist for the second, as well as an all round excellent energetic performance.

Eddie Howe saying about his summer deadline day signing: “It has taken us a while to get him to the level that’s his best. It was a big night for him. Nights like this are part of the reason he joined us. I’m glad he was able to make the most of it. I know how tough it is just watching from the stands, so I know how delighted he will be. A first Champions League goal. I thought he played really well so I’m buzzing for him. It has been a great journey: his career at Brentford was brilliant to watch from afar, I loved his attitude and he scored a lot of goals.”

Eddie Howe also pleased with how things went last night for another summer signing.

A difficult start to his Newcastle United career but Anthony Elanga looking good off the bench last night and the crowd showing their support for him when he came on.

The NUFC Head Coach loving how the fans got behind Anthony Elanga when he came on: “A massive thank you to the fans for that because we want to create a football club that’s in love with each other. That was a huge statement from the supporters. I think Anthony’s responded with his performance in the last two games, he has been really, really good.”

A win next Wednesday in Paris against PSG would guarantee Newcastle United a top eight place and automatic progressing to the last 16.

Eddie Howe looking forward to it: “It (winning in Paris) is what we have to try to do. One step at a time though, it is Aston Villa first. Premier League is so important and a really tough game. We have one of the most difficult if not the most difficult last [Champions League] game and we were well aware of that.”

Bruno Guimaraes was forced off the pitch late in the first half with what looked an ankle issue.

The NUFC boss saying about the only real negative of the night: “For Bruno to come off, it is a worrying sign, but fingers crossed. He is a little bit sore and there is a little bit of swelling around his ankle. We hope it’s not serious but it’s difficult to know.”

Bruno Guimaraes had passed the captain’s armband to Kieran Trippier.

When the England international went off late on, he passed it to 19 year old Lewis Miley.

Eddie Howe reacting to that moment: “It was unscripted and unplanned, typical Kieran, thinking of other people. A great moment for Lewis.”

Newcastle 3 PSV 0 – Wednesday 21 January 2026 8pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Wissa 8, Gordon 30, Barnes 65

PSV:

Possession was Newcastle 54% PSV 46%

Total shots were Newcastle 11 PSV 6

Shots on target were Newcastle 4 PSV 1

Corners were Newcastle 3 PSV 1

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 29 PSV 11

Newcastle team v PSV:

Pope, Tripper (Willock 87), Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton (Ramsey 72), Bruno (Miley 48), Barnes, Gordon (Elanga 72), Wissa (Woltemade 72)

Unused subs:

Thompson, Ramsdale, Alex Murphy, Neave, Shahar