
Eddie Howe says the ‘hardest part is ahead’ for Sandro Tonali
Eddie Howe had admitted the hardest part is yet to come for Sandro Tonali after watching him play a cameo role in Newcastle’s 4-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. The 23-year-old Italy international, who could face a lengthy ban if he is found to have breached betting rules by an ongoing investigation in Italy, was applauded warmly by the Toon Army before, during and after Saturday’s game at St James’ Park. Tonali and his club do not yet know when he will discover his fate, but head coach Howe is convinced the support he has received to date will help him whatever comes his way. Howe said: “Let’s wait and see, but yes, I think the hardest part is ahead regardless of what happens. “Immediately, you get a lot of attention and people are talking about the situation. He’s had the love of the supporters today, but that’s difficult to maintain over a long period of time. Who knows what’s ahead? “I just think it’s great for him to know he’s got the support, not just of the senior management at the football club and the manager, but also the support of the supporters and they’re the most important people.” Tonali was introduced as a 69th-minute replacement for Bruno Guimaraes with the Magpies already four goals to the good in what could conceivably be his final game for several months if he is found to have broken the rules and is suspended. Whether he is able to be involved in Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tyneside remains to be seen, but whichever team Howe sends out will kick off brimming with confidence after a comprehensive win over the Eagles. Jacob Murphy set the ball rolling with a fourth-minute lob which owed a great deal to good fortune – Palace boss Roy Hodgson described it as a “freak” goal – and further strikes from Anthony Gordon and Sean Longstaff before the break and Callum Wilson after it wrapped up the points with the minimum of fuss. Howe said: “It was a really important game today. It can’t be underestimated how tough those games are because you don’t have a full squad, we’re having to manage players who have travelled a long way and had a big mental load for their countries. “So I’m really pleased with the players’ response to that because these are very tough games. “Crystal Palace don’t concede many goals. We knew the first goal today was going to be really, really important and thankfully we got it quite early.” There's nothing really positive to say from our point of view Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson Hodgson’s emotions were understandably different after his best-laid plans were ripped apart before the break. He said: “We came here thinking and believing that we could give Newcastle a good game and maybe even make life a little bit difficult for them, but we fell woefully short in that department. “The first half was really nowhere near what we’ve been able to do up to now and what I thought we would still do despite the fact that this is a tough ask against such a good team because they are a hard team to defend against. “But it didn’t work out and at half-time, we were just looking really at salvaging something from the game and not going away totally and utterly dejected because we’d conceded even more goals than the four we conceded. “There’s nothing really positive to say from our point of view.” Read More Pep Guardiola hails ‘exceptional’ Brighton after Man City return to winning ways Thomas Frank: Five-year anniversary meal will taste better after Brentford win Rob Edwards salutes Luton super-sub Elijah Adebayo after equaliser at Forest England skipper Jos Buttler questions his decision to field first in latest loss Skipper Rob du Preez gives Sale deserved win against Leicester A true gentleman – David Beckham pays tribute to ‘national hero’ Bobby Charlton
2023-10-22 02:28

Trump and DeSantis trade barbs while staging dueling New Hampshire campaign events
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump are trading barbs as the two leading Republican White House candidates staged dueling events in the critical early voting state of New Hampshire
2023-06-28 03:25

Adani Stocks Lose $10 Billion in Value as MSCI Exclusion Weighs
Gautam Adani-led Adani Group is heading for its worst week since late February as the deletion of two
2023-05-19 13:25

Who is James Brenner? Sole suspect in Dylan Rounds' case moved the body, claims mom
Dylan Rounds, 20, disappeared in May 2022 and the only suspect James Brenner, 59, is yet to be convicted
2023-10-02 20:52

Italian man dies after being crushed by thousands of wheels of cheese
An Italian cheesemaker died on Sunday after being crushed by thousands of rounds of Grana Padano cheese in the aging room of his factory in Bergamo, northern Italy, local authorities said.
2023-08-08 20:24

Frank Lampard will be ‘back at Chelsea many times’ as a fan after interim role
Frank Lampard promised he would be back at Chelsea as a supporter after his tenure as interim manager ends on Sunday. His side host Newcastle looking to give Lampard the first home win of his second spell in charge, and help the club’s record goalscorer sign off on a relative high after losing eight of his 10 games. The former midfielder, who won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his 13 years as a player in west London, did not return to Stamford Bridge after he was sacked as manager in January 2021 until April of this year to witness the team’s goalless draw against Liverpool. That came two days after ex-boss Graham Potter was sacked 31 games into a five-year contract, and within days Lampard had been installed as temporary boss while the club searched for a permanent successor. The 44-year-old insisted that it was only circumstances that had kept him away – the period coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic and his 12 months spent managing Everton – and that his visit for the Liverpool game, which he watched from the box of co-owner Todd Boehly, had been planned for weeks. It was later reported that Lampard had been touted as a possible interim candidate by club officials several weeks earlier when Potter was seriously on the ropes after a run of poor results. The game against Newcastle will round off a campaign that cannot come soon enough for fans after enduring comfortably the team’s worst season in 30 years. Nevertheless, Lampard was hopeful of giving them something positive to take into the summer as he prepared to make his third exit from the club. “I don’t want this to sound corny but I don’t feel like it is a goodbye,” said Lampard. “I appreciate it, it will be end of season and end of my time back but normally when you leave a club you don’t have a hurrah as a manager. You are in one day out the next and that’s fine. “This is the corny part, I will never feel like I am saying goodbye to the fans. My career as a player and as a coach first time around and this period and it is there. “I live close enough to the stadium and I will be back at Chelsea many times and when you take on a managerial career it doesn’t mean you will be at a club you had 13 years at as a player forever. “I’m quite calm about it and not too nostalgic about it but certainly do appreciate the fans’ support on Sunday. More than anything I would love to give them a performance to take away for the summer and feel a bit more positive about for sure.” Lampard could again turn to Chelsea’s young prospects against Newcastle with a number of first-team players unavailable. Reece James, N’Golo Kante and Benoit Badiashile have all played their final game of the campaign while Lampard was doubtful whether Mason Mount will be fit to make what could be a farewell appearance at Stamford Bridge. Raheem Sterling is also a doubt after injuring a hamstring in the defeat to Manchester City. The loss of James has been a particular blow for Lampard during his brief stay, with the England defender having been the standout performer this season as the team has struggled. He was ruled out of the rest of the campaign after injuring a thigh in the Champions League home defeat to Real Madrid. “(Reece) came out (to train on Wednesday) and went back in but because he had a little bit of an awareness but we hope the scan will show there is no real damage,” said Lampard. “It was just a little reminder that it is a bit too early to be out.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Liverpool’s lack of final-day drama ‘completely new’ to boss Jurgen Klopp Ruben Selles urges Southampton to end wretched season on positive note England will keep embracing risks during Ashes despite ‘blip’ – Daryl Mitchell
2023-05-27 16:18

Pakistan's imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan is allowed a brief visit by his wife
The lawyer of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan says he was allowed a brief visit by his wife at the high-security prison in eastern Punjab province where he is being held
2023-08-10 21:18

'Stop Cop City' activists pack Atlanta City Hall ahead of crucial vote
Hundreds of activists are at Atlanta’s City Hall ahead of a council vote over whether to approve tens of millions in public funding for a police and firefighter training center
2023-06-06 15:23

Here’s when ‘Selling the OC’ Season 2 drops: Netflix show returns with more drama and new cast member
The much anticipated second season of 'Selling the OC' has a premiere date that has been officially revealed by Netflix
2023-09-07 13:25

Kane eyes immediate silverware after Bayern switch
England captain Harry Kane was on Saturday handed an immediate opportunity to win his first piece of silverware after being named on the Bayern Munich bench for the German Super Cup, just hours...
2023-08-13 02:24

Thai elephant flown home after alleged abuse in Sri Lanka
Bangkok demanded the return of the animal after claims it was tortured while kept at a Buddhist temple.
2023-07-03 12:55

Nick Cannon says Jamie Foxx will address his mystery illness 'when he's ready' amid rumor of paralysis
Jamie Foxx's family has chosen not to disclose his medical status
2023-06-02 16:00
You Might Like...

Sony Q2 profit falls 29%, hit by chips division

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis apologize for 'pain' their letters on behalf of Danny Masterson caused

NEF Latest: China Vice President on US Ties; Saudi Talks Peace

Patrick Dempsey named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine

Japan earmarks $107 billion for developing hydrogen energy to cut emissions, stabilize supplies

Mudryk and Broja score as Chelsea beats Fulham 2-0 in the Premier League

Why did Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith split? Actress files for divorce ending their 3-year marriage

Filipinos' 'crazy passion' for basketball survives World Cup loss