Eddie Howe remains in hospital with an unspecified illness but was well enough to watch on television as his Newcastle side beat Manchester United 4-1 at St James’ Park yesterdayon Sunday.
Jason Tindall, his assistant who took charge in the home technical area, said he was able to offer no update on Howe’s condition but added that he had received a congratulatory post‑match text from the manager.
“I’ve just seen a message from Eddie congratulating us on the performance and the victory,” Tindall said. “He was able to watch the game and I’m sure it has lifted his spirits.”
Howe became unwell in the middle of last week and, after being absent from training for three days, was admitted on Friday night to hospital, where he has been undergoing tests. Tindall said he had not spoken to his longstanding friend for a few days but had been communicating by text message.
“Eddie and I have been working together for 17 years and I don’t think he’s ever missed more than a day or two in that time,” he said.
“I had a text message from Eddie before the game that he put his trust in myself to do what I thought was right. I sent him a couple of messages today to say that he was hugely missed. He’s one of the best managers there is.
“It’s at times like this when the manager’s not there that the players have to step up and they did. Our mentality was fantastic.” Tindall was unsure whether he would be in charge again when Crystal Palace visit Tyneside on Wednesday night.
Bruno Guimarães, the Newcastle captain who scored the fourth goal in a win that lifts the side to fourth place in the Premier League and on course for Champions League qualification, dedicated the victory to his manager. “We won it for Eddie Howe,” the Brazil midfielder said.
It left Manchester United 14th and needing to pick up the pieces before their vital Europa League quarter‑final second leg against Lyon on Thursday night. That tie is level at 2-2 after the first leg in France and Ruben Amorim said his Manchester United side must improve if they are to prevail.
“We need to get better, we need to improve,” said Amorim, who rotated his team on Tyneside. “Newcastle are a really, really good team in a good moment and this is maybe the hardest stadium in this league but we need more control. The next game is massive for us and we need to focus on that.
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“We made a lot of mistakes, mistakes we cannot make on Thursday. Newcastle were stronger to second balls. I don’t want to defend myself. If you look at our position in the table it says it all.”
Bruno Fernandes said it was “a fair question” when asked if his Manchester United teammates “want it enough” but subsequently offered a partial defence of his colleagues. “It’s easy to criticise because this club has never suffered like this,” the captain said. “We are in this position because we have lacked being fearless, lacked being brave but we lost goals today by trying to be too brave. Our position in the table is not where this club belongs. But we have a big game coming up and we have to clear our heads and go for it.”
At times Fernandes cut an irritated figure. “I only get frustrated with my teammates because I know how good they can be,” he said. “And because I know how tough it is to play for this club.”
Source: theguardian.com
