Eddie Howe highlights 'incredible' Newcastle United player after Crystal Palace win - plus Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle United 2-0 Crystal Palace: Eddie Howe has praised his side’s ‘incredible’ player following Sunday’s Premier League win at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has once again piled the praise on 19-year-old Lewis Miley following another impressive display from the youngster at right-back.
Miley has played out of position at right-back due to several defensive injury issues and impressed, contributing goals, assists and winning the club’s player of the month award for December.
The teenager provided a crucial contribution in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at St James’ Park with an assist for Bruno Guimaraes’ opener. Malick Thiaw then doubled Newcastle’s lead heading into the closing stages following Guimaraes’ corner.
NUFC move into top half with back-to-back wins
The win sees Newcastle move up to 9th in the table, the highest position they’ve been in all season.
After the match, Howe said: “It's a better position but we've got more work to do. We've got a massive month ahead. We need to build some momentum and confidence and today is a big step forward.
“It was a tough game, it always is against Palace. Oliver has done an amazing job. We had to be patient. It was bitty at times. I think the substitutions made a difference and helped us over the lines.
"I think they were two good moves for the goals that weren't. We needed that first goal to relax us. I think we got better and better in the game.”
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‘Incredible’ Lewis Miley praised by Eddie Howe
Miley had been impressing in midfield for Newcastle prior to the defensive injuries that forced Howe to move him to right-back.
But the United academy graduate has taken the position change in his stride and is proving himself as a key player in Howe’s side.
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"He's been incredible since he came into the team,” Howe told Sky Sports. You wouldn't know it [isn't his natural position]. He's excelled in this position [at full-back]. He's doing a great job in the team."
Next up for Newcastle is another home match against Leeds United on Wednesday evening. They then have AFC Bournemouth in the FA Cup next weekend and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final to make it four successive home matches.