Newcastle´s thrilling draw with Liverpool their ´best performance of the season,´ says Howe

Eddie Howe insisted Newcastle United had delivered their “best performance of the season” as they drew 3-3 with Liverpool at St James’ Park following a 90th-minute equaliser from Fabian Schar.

The hosts twice took the lead and were pegged back before Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead in the 83rd minute, only for Schar to pounce at the death to snatch a point.

Newcastle finished proceedings with a superior expected goals (xG) total compared to that of the league leaders, registering 1.72 xG to Liverpool’s 1.44.

It left Howe with a better outlook on his team, who have underperformed so far this season and currently sit 10th in the Premier League.

“I feel positive. I feel really positive. I thought that was a much better performance from us. First-half really good, you know that with the quality that they have from the bench, when Trent [Alexander-Arnold] comes on with his creativity, we’re going to have a potential issue,” Howe told Amazon Prime.

“But our mental quality came to the fore, and we got the equaliser. We had chances to make it 2-0, we scored three goals, looked dynamic and energetic, and played with a lot of quality.

“I am really proud. We went toe-to-toe and matched them, it’s our best of the season. Our gameplan was to be ourselves, which is difficult against a team like Liverpool, it’s a delicate balance.”

What a game this is at St James’ Park! pic.twitter.com/V6ACUqh1sx

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 4, 2024

Newcastle first took the lead through Alexander Isak, who also went on to provide the assist for their second goal, coming from Anthony Gordon, in the 62nd minute.

While the Swedish striker endured an inconsistent start to 2024-25, he now leads the club for goals scored in the Premier League this season (five).

His goal on Wednesday means he is the third Newcastle player to score in each of his first two Premier League appearances against the league leaders, after David Edgar in 2008 and Andy Cole in 1993.

Howe was equally complimentary of Isak’s impact, saying: “I thought that was his best performance of the season.

“It was a goal out of nothing for us. This season we’ve missed those. Those moments of magic can swing games your way.

“Isak was really good tonight, if we get our players firing we are some team.”