Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has told how his sides’ disappointing 0-0 opening draw against AC Milan in the Champions League was the catalyst for the improved performances that have followed.

Since that 0-0 result, the Magpies have scored 15 goals in four games, which have included wins over both Manchester City and PSG.

Howe was speaking after his sides comprehensive 4-1 win over the French Champions at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.

Speaking to CBS he said: “It was a brilliant effort from the players, it was a different game, and it was a cat-and-mouse between the two. We were trying to press them, and they were trying to play through us.”

reflecting on the game plan and the change of fortune since the Milan game he said: “We made it clear as we could. We wanted to be ourselves when we played AC Milan and we were not where we needed to be.

“I think that was what we expected with the three defeats previously to that game, I think we came here with a lot more confident mood.

“Full credit to the players, they had to deliver it against world-class players.”

“I think in every team talk I mention the crowd because they are so powerful, if we don’t use the crowd and play a style of football where they are not going to be involved in the game, we are missing a trick,” he said.