Howe delighted after Schar’s goal sets up Toon win
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted he was not a happy man when he saw Fabian Schar lining up his “incredible” deadlock-breaking strike against Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest.
The defender took aim from distance to end the Magpies’ frustration with a 25-yard piledriver which set his side on their way to a 2-0 win.
Callum Wilson added a second goal.
Howe said: “It was an incredible strike. I was questioning his decision as he lined up to hit it, but I was delighted to see it hit the net.
“We sort of needed a goal like that to break the deadlock.”
Howe added: “It was a brilliant performance from us.”
For opposite number Steve Cooper, he said: “We’re disappointed we’ve lost, but at least we’ve felt the difference of what a Premier League game is.”
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch laughed off his verbal battle with opposite number Bruno Lage during his side’s opening win of the season against Wolves.
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s second-half own goal clinched Leeds a 2-1 victory at Elland Road after Rodrigo had cancelled out Daniel Podence’s opener for Wolves.
Marsch played down the row, saying: “It’s normal in some ways. I respect Bruno a lot, he does a great job with his team, so no problem.”
Lage explained he had taken exception to something Marsch had said on the touchline in the first half.
He added: “They won, great. But there was a point in the first half that I heard something that I didn’t like.”
Steven Gerrard bemoaned “glaringly obvious” failings after Aston Villa suffered a 2-0 loss at Bournemouth.
Jefferson Lerma and Kieffer Moore did the damage and Gerrard, said: “We have ourselves to blame. It’s extremely disappointing.”
Bournemouth boss Scott Parker hailed the desire and application of his triumphant players.
“What was most important to me was us taking our chance and showing a real passion, desire and a commitment,” said Parker.
Antonio Conte was delighted with Tottenham’s style during their opening-day 4-1 win over Southampton.
James Ward-Prowse’s 12th-minute opener for the visitors threatened to spoil the mood.
But strikes from Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, Dejan Kulusevski, plus Mohammed Salisu’s own goal, saw Spurs roar back to win.
Conte said: “We won three important points but the most important thing was the way we got three points, with really good football.”