Howe hopes for domestic upturn in form after Benfica thrashing

Eddie Howe lavished praise on his Newcastle United side as they recorded back-to-back Champions League wins for the first time in over 20 years with a dominant 3-0 win over Benfica at St James’ Park.

They scored the opener just after the half hour mark as Jacob Murphy picked out Anthony Gordon, who became the first Newcastle player to score in three consecutive Champions League matches.

Harvey Barnes made a devastating impact off the bench in the second half as he doubled the home side’s lead with a brilliant run and finish, before scoring another with little left on the clock after being picked out by Gordon.

The performance left Howe delighted with what he had seen from his side in the final third.

"I am really pleased”, said the Newcastle boss to TNT Sports. “Benfica are a very good team so we had to show our quality.

“I thought we were patient, we had chances and didn't score early, but we kept at it. Once we scored our second goal, you saw the real us and what we can be. I thought we were excellent afterwards.”

The Magpies have not made the best of starts in the Premier League, as they currently sit in 14th with just two wins from their opening eight matches, but back-to-back victories in Europe have given Howe hope that their domestic form will turn around.

The Englishman added: "We have strength, but it is on paper - you have to go and prove it.

“The squad last season won a trophy, we have to go to work and prove the strength of the squad warrants the feeling I have.

"We are full of good players, we haven't quite clicked into gear yet but hopefully this is the start of what we can be.”

Howe also praised the attacking depth at his disposal, with Gordon, Murphy and Barnes all contributing with crucial goal involvements.

“I am really pleased with all of them,” said Howe. “Anthony was a real threat all game, dynamic and very aggressive.

“Jacob [Murphy] has always been an assist threat and today he was absolutely that.

“I am really pleased for Harvey [Barnes] to come on and get two like he did - off the right side as well which shows his versatility."

Nick Pope also picked up an unlikely assist with his long throw which sent Barnes free, becoming the second English goalkeeper to register an assist in the competition after Fraser Forster in 2012, with Howe also singling him out for praise.

Referring to the assist he said: "I can't take credit for that!

“We are working on a few things with Nick with his distribution and his throwing is a big strength of his. He is a very good goalkeeper and he showed that today.”