EDDIE HOWE is hoping Newcastle United’s best start to a Premier League season for 29 years has laid the foundations for a successful campaign.

The Magpies staged a successful second-half fightback as they beat Wolves at Molineux yesterday, with long-range strikes from Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes securing all three points.

The victory means Howe side have claimed ten points from their first four matches, a tally they have not bettered since the 1995-96 season under Kevin Keegan.

Newcastle have not been at their free-flowing best in any of their games so far, but Howe feels their spirit and resilience have set a powerful tone for the remainder of the campaign.

READ MORE:

“I think it’s a great platform for us,” said the Magpies boss. “Confidence is always the key ingredient in any sporting team, and hopefully by winning in the manner we are, that confidence level will continue to grow.

“There’s no doubting the quality of players we have, albeit that we’re small in numbers so we can’t afford to lose anybody. Winning is everything. I’ve never shied away from that as manager of Newcastle United.”

With his side trailing to Mario Lemina’s first-half strike, Howe opted to make three substitutions at half-time. One was enforced, with Alexander Isak having suffered an issue with his eye at the end of the first half, but the other two were selection decisions with Sean Longstaff and Joelinton coming off.

Barnes, Joe Willock and Sandro Tonali all came on and had a major influence, with the first two linking up for Newcastle’s winner, which saw Barnes curl home a brilliant finish from outside the area.

“I’m sure there were a number of players who were disappointed not to start,” said Howe. “We made changes to the team that played against Tottenham. They were tactical because every game is very different and I have to find what I believe is the best way to win the next game.

“It’s no reflection on the players that came out, but the most important thing is that the players respond in the right way because their best chance of playing in the next game is determined by how they perform on the pitch.

“I thought all three half-time substitutes did really, really well. I was really pleased with Sandro and Joe, and of course really pleased with Harvey, whose finish was incredible.

“He had a difficult season last year, going to a new club with a big transfer fee, he picked up an innocuous injury against Sheffield United and it hurt him and us. He is one of the best finishing wingers I have ever seen - quality goalscoring wingers are few and far between.”