The Magpies enjoyed an emphatic win at home to the Foxes this Saturday thanks to goals by Jacob Murphy, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak. Sealing all three points also moved the Toon to 11th in the Premier League table at the full-time whistle with 23 points in 16 games.
Newcastle had not won through their previous four top-flight fixtures before welcoming the Foxes to St James’ Park. Now, Howe will hope to register back-to-back wins for just the third time this term when Newcastle travel to Ipswich Town next time out in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe applauds as Newcastle United fans chant for under-pressure boss vs Leicester City
The Magpies’ inconsistent results of late have ramped the pressure on the Englishman up to a higher level. But it would cost Newcastle £9m to sack Howe and his backroom team if they opt to make a change at a time Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) continue to raise issues.
Some at St James’ Park also feel that Newcastle’s transfer activity has impeded Howeand caused their recent woes on the pitch. But the tactician will hope that results like Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Leicester now continue and Howe can ease fears Newcastle might fire him.
Howe also still has the backing of many Magpies fans, who chanted for their under-pressure manager during Newcastle’s 4-0 win against Leicester. St James’ Park rang out with chants of ‘Eddie Howe’s black and white army’ in stoppage time as the Toon wrapped up the points.
Given the pressure he currently faces, Howe was quick to react upon hearing Newcastle fans chant the manager’s name at home to Leicester. The 47-year-old, who replaced Steve Bruce at the helm back in November 2021, made sure to applaud the Toon fans chanting his name.
Eddie Howe buys himself time and Newcastle momentum before Brentford’s EFL Cup visit
Howe will know a 4-0 win over Leicester will not remove the threat of the sack looming over his head as Newcastle look to get their season back on a better footing. The Foxes have also not enjoyed a great season so far since returning to the Premier League during the summer.
Yet it was crucial that Howe dealt Ruud van Nistelrooy his first defeat as the Foxes’ coach as anything but three points would have fuelled those wanting the tactician to walk. Leicester winning at St James’ Park would have also put them three points off Newcastle in the table.
Instead, if anything Howe has bought himself some breathing space and Newcastle can also go into Wednesday night’s EFL Cup quarter-final against Brentford with some momentum in their favour. The Bees visit Tyneside in midweek but will first visit Chelsea this Sunday night.
