Magpies still not safe yet, insists Howe after victory

EDDIE Howe says he is pleased that his Newcastle stars are going ‘not over the top’ despite extending their unbeaten league run to eight games.

The Magpies boss believes his side are in the midst of a ‘very important spell’ and is wary that United will soon face the challenge of playing four away games in a row.

Goals from Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar saw Newcastle beat Brighton 2-1 to move seven points clear of the relegation places.

But that streak will be tested when United travel to Southampton, Chelsea, Everton and Tottenham.

Howe said: “We’ve got a really difficult run of games – we’ve got four away games, which I think for any team in the Premier League is very difficult, and also they are four difficult opponents, so today was very important.

“It’s lifted us in terms of the points, but we haven’t achieved anything. I saw the players in the dressing room afterwards and it’s a good sign. They’re pleased, but they’re not over the top in how they are feeling.

“They know we are still in the midst of a very important spell.”

Newcastle’s seven-point gap to the bottom three is a much better situation than United were faced with only in January when they were second bottom in the table.

Howe (below) said: “We’ve come from a long way back and we had a lot of work to do.

“I remember sitting here after the Watford game at home and we realised we needed to win matches, draws weren’t going to be good enough .

“But the players have committed to everything – again today physically, the shift they put in out of possession was huge, so the spirit and the resolve needed is there.”