‘Excellent’: Eddie Howe feels 24-year-old took his rare Newcastle chance

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Eddie Howe praises Sean Longstaff for delivering an ‘excellent’ performance after he took a rare chance to impress as Newcastle United lost at Chelsea, via quotes by Chronicle Live.

Longstaff has often proven a bystander during Howe’s tenure at St James’ Park so far since the Magpies’ changed coach. The 24-year-old had started two and featured as a substitute in four of a possible 15 Premier League games prior to the Toon’s trip to Stamford Bridge.

Yet Howe turned to Longstaff in the capital with Newcastle lacking numbers in the engine room without his favoured trio. Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey sat out Sunday’s 1-0 defeat through illness, while Joelinton has missed two games as he recovers from a groin injury.

According to The Athletic, Joelinton and Shelvey are yet to return to training ahead of the Magpies’ trip to Everton. Willock, meanwhile, has returned and should play on Thursday.

Willock featuring may offer Howe a selection dilemma without a change in formation at Goodison Park. A ground Longstaff could have called home in January had they not fired Rafa Benitez, per The Athletic. The former United boss was keen on a potential reunion.

Eddie Howe hails ‘excellent’ Sean Longstaff for taking rare chance at Newcastle

Longstaff worked hard and gave his all for the cause at Chelsea, to the delight of Newcastle boss Howe. The Magpies product seeing out a full Premier League fixture for the first time since January 15 also earned his manager’s praise, having stayed in shape in a tricky time.

“After not playing for a period of time, I thought he was excellent,” Howe stated. “It’s testament to how he’s looked after himself, physically, that he was able to play the 90-minutes. It’s the same for a number of players – coming in and taking their opportunity.”

Longstaff played a key role in Newcastle holding Chelsea at bay for so long last Sunday, so could have forced his way into Howe’s starting line-up for Thursday’s trip to Everton. The Toon boss will hope to see another tackle-filled display on Merseyside, should he feature.