Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle, believes that Manchester City is still the “benchmark” despite her fights this season.
After Pep Guardiola’s team won the previous four titles of the Premier League under countless other trophies, she fell under her usual standards this season and was currently in fifth place when he was set to points with the opponents of Newcastle on Saturday.
Her unusually bad campaign suffered another goal on Tuesday when she lost late against Real Madrid at home, which her Champions League campaign seriously in question.
But instead of assessing the citizens alone, Howe is much more concerned with the wider picture and believes that they are still a force you have to count on.
Before the Clash of the Premier League on Saturday at Etihad, the Toon boss said: “I don’t think they are sure to look at it during this time. I think you have to look at it over a much longer period.
“I think they have been sensational and so consistent for so many seasons, which is so difficult to do due to the standard of the team at this level. I think we really saw that, the standards of the Premier League that are really overloaded in their strength.
“Every team is very difficult to play. We recently found out in a few home games if they fall by 1%, they can be beaten. Every game is very difficult, nothing gives them.
“I think it was great for the Premier League because you never know what will happen if you go to a stadium now, a stadium.
“And I think it is producing a really entertaining Premier League this year, but Manchester City is still a very, very good team. I think they were still very strong.
“So for me they are still the benchmark and we have to try to produce our best performance to get something for this match.”
Eddie Howe speaks to the media before tomorrow to face Manchester City. 🗣️
You can view the boss’s press conference as live on the official Newcastle United app 📲 pic.twitter.com/cyonu7lysk
– Newcastle United (@Nufc) February 14, 2025
Isak against Haaland
The game on Saturday looks at two of the best strikers of the Premier League against each other. City has Erling Haaland in her ranks and Alexander Isak in the hope of inspiring Newcastle.
The duo scored 19 and 17 goals in the Premier League this season, and howe believes that he comes out of his Swedish striker the best of his Swedish striker to secure the victory in Etihad.
He said: “You look at Haaland’s consistency for a long period of time, there is no doubt about it, and Alex certainly does the same. In my opinion, he has been absolutely sensational for us since he came to this club.
“So we want to try to bring him into play as much as possible, and I always say the same thing. We have to form the basis for him to appear at his best levels.
“Alex also has to appear, but they know that he may not have the chances in such games, but we have to try to bring him to the right areas and bring the ball into the key areas. “”
Newcastle Team News: Gordon and Burn should be available, Botman progress
Howe offered an update about the fitness of Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn and Sven Botman.
“Anthony (Gordon) should be fine, he trained this week, no problems,” added the Elster boss. “It was a thigh problem, but he reacted well to the treatment over the weekend and worked well.
“Good news about the scan (Sven Botman), we don’t believe that there are problems in the long term. In the short term there is still a little pain for him, we think he will miss this weekend. Hopefully he won’t be far away for the following games.
“The first look at Dan (Burn) was not positive, but he had a scan that was good, he improved very quickly, so he could be nearby this weekend.”
