It's time for Howe to make bold call

Lewis Miley came on and had a great performance against Brighton

- By ROSS GREGORY Regional football editor

IT’S not often Eddie Howe gets things wrong. The Newcastle United head coach has been masterful in most of his decisions over the last four years, propelling the Magpies from the relegation zone to twice qualifying for the Champions League.

Throw in ending the trophy hoodoo by winning the Carabao Cup last year at Wembley and the United chief is now, quite rightly, considered by many as the greatest manager the club has ever had.

That cup win over Liverpool was one of the most outstanding tactical performances by a Newcastle team in living memory. From the set-pieces that led to Dan Burn’s opener, to the way their bold press meant the Reds were forced to go long to Mohamed Salah where Burn was waiting to defeat him in the air, everything put in place turned to gold.

The base of the win, however, was the midfield. It was the day when Newcastle's famed trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joe-linton showed on the biggest stage just how good they are, bullying and bossing Liverpool's engine room which had put the Reds on the way to eventually winning the Premier League title.

It was a performance that solidified their reputation as one of the best midfields, not just in England, but in Europe.