Published: 22:29, 31 January 2026 | Updated: 22:32, 31 January 2026

Eddie Howe had three strikers sat behind him at Anfield. Two of his own, signed at great expense in the summer but benched in favour of winger Anthony Gordon at centre-forward. Alexander Isak was also there, the one he lost to Liverpool and who is currently injured. But it was the one on the pitch, the one he really wanted, who settled this game.

‘I’ve tried to sign him twice,’ said Howe on Friday. ‘He has got a bit of everything. He has great

movement, can score with both feet and dribbles really well.’

It was never his intention, but the Newcastle boss had prophesied what was to follow. Not that you needed a crystal ball. Not when all that Hugo Ekitike needs is a football.

For three minutes before half-time, the visitors could not live with the French striker. He scored twice to reverse Gordon’s opener and, in doing so, he as good as killed Newcastle’s spirit and the game. 

That Howe’s men were the better team to that point mattered...