Eddie Howe hopes rout of Qarabag shows Newcastle can be ‘outstanding team’

The Magpies romped to victory in Baku on Wednesday night to put one foot firmly in the competition’s last 16.

Eddie Howe is hoping Newcastle’s 6-1 Champions League rout of Qarabag will remind his players that they can be an “outstanding team”.

The Magpies romped to victory in Baku on Wednesday night to put one foot firmly in the competition’s last 16 ahead of next Tuesday’s second leg at St James’ Park, with either Barcelona or Chelsea awaiting the winners.

Howe’s men raced into a 5-0 lead by the break to remind the whole of Europe that they are a force with which to be reckoned when they are at their best.

Asked at his post-match press conference what such a resounding victory could do for the club, he replied: “My hope is that it just re-affirms our belief that we can be an outstanding team.

“When we’re at our very best, we can be a match for anybody. I’ve always maintained this season that we can be, it’s of course finding this level as much as we can, as consistently as we can.

“I think you could see the intense focus from the players was there from very early in the game and then we’ve got the quality when we’re in that kind of mood.

“It’s a really useful time for us to produce a display like this to hopefully just tell ourselves that we can be a top team again.”

Gordon has taken his tally to 10 for the season in the Champions League (AP Photo)

A third successive away win in three different competitions was secured by Anthony Gordon’s four-goal haul – he had never scored a senior hat-trick before he ran out at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, but left having eclipsed Alan Shearer’s club record of six goals in a single Champions League campaign by taking his tally to 10.

Further strikes from Malick Thiaw and substitute Jacob Murphy left Qarabag, who replied through Elvin Jafarguliyev, with the steepest of mountains to climb on Tyneside, although Gordon was measured in his reaction to a memorable night.

The striker told UEFA: “The records are nice, of course, but football is about the team. Individual moments only matter if the team succeeds and tonight, that was the most important thing.

“I’m very proud, not just of myself, but of everyone involved. It’s never easy to come here, so I’m really happy for the whole group.”

Substitute Jacob Murphy rounded off the scoring in Newcastle’s 6-1 Champions League play-off win at Qarabag (AP/PA)

Howe was delighted with Gordon’s contribution and played down an apparent half-time row with skipper Kieran Trippier after he completed his quadruple from the penalty spot, with team-mate Nick Woltemade also offering his services.

Howe said: “Anthony naturally wanted to take the second penalty and I understand why there’s a debate over it sometimes. That’s not clear when there are two in one game. But he took both penalties superbly and I’m pleased with that.

“Kieran’s only ever trying to help the team, so I think it’s a positive situation rather than negative.”

Newcastle will take a 6-1 lead into the second leg of their Champions League play-off against Qarabag (AP/PA) (AP)

Thiaw will be suspended for the return after collecting a third booking of the campaign in Baku but those who do take to the pitch will not be allowed to rest on their laurels.

Howe said: “Yes, we’ve had a good game today, but we take nothing for granted in the second leg.”