Eddie Howe shifted to a 3-4-3 on Sunday

Adaptable Howe

Howe threw a spanner in the works by opting for a 3-4-3, and Newcastle were content with spending periods in a 5-4-1 block when Chelsea had settled possession. The system matched up perfectly with the Blues’ 3-2-4-1 possession shape, and there’s no denying that Howe’s change contributed to the visitors’ first-half struggles.

Maresca’s men were seemingly taken aback by the ploy, with Newcastle seizing the initiative from the get-go. The system brought about great balance to the hosts’ play while allowing Murphy, Barnes, Gordon and Isak to feature in the same XI.

The manager reverted to type at the เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา start of the second half in a bid to restore control after a basketball-like start to the restart, with Howe opting to shuffle his personnel around plenty.

A willingness to adapt to the opponent has proven key to Howe’s success on Tyenside, and although they had to grind out the second half, this was another example, of the manager’s tactical shrewdness.

There’s no defending Nicolas Jackson here. That was silly.

While not particularly malicious, his eyeing up of Botman before planting a forearm into his face hinted at some intent and VAR had no choice but to recommend John Brooks to check the monitor after the referee booked him on-field.Nicolas Jackson forearms his way to the Conference League final