EPL: We must raise our game against Man City, says Newcastle boss Howe

Newcastle boss, Eddie Howe, has revealed that they must be at their best against Manchester City on Sunday.

Newcastle host the Premier League leaders after their Champions League semifinal defeat at Real Madrid in midweek.

Howe said, “It’s the toughest test. I was a little bit disappointed with the performance last week, I thought we could have played better, but we were still close. I hope we get even closer this time.

“Our weakness against Liverpool was a lack of bite and intensity that we have had in recent months and has been the hallmark of our success. We didn’t give the crowd enough on reflection and we can’t be flat. We have to come out all guns blazing.”

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On City’s Champions League exit, Howe also stated: “It can work both ways, it can emotionally affect them in a positive or a negative. We have to prepare for the best Man City, so we need to be the best Newcastle we can be. We need more intensity than last week, that’s for sure.”

On Callum Wilson’s situation, Howe also said: “He’s trained all week. He’s trained very well, he had two really tough days and he’s come through them well. He’s put a lot of work in to get to this point. He looks in a good place and there’s a good chance he’ll be involved on Sunday.”