'Any talk of Howe being under pressure is outrageous'

Matty Renton, The Magpie Channel TV

The world wanted an FA Cup upset. The Toon army had different ideas. All the pressure and attention was on the lunchtime kick-off at the Stadium of Light on Saturday as one of the most fierce rivalries in English football was reignited after a near eight-year wait.

Other fanbases and sections of the media were insisting that Eddie Howe could be sacked if he lost the Tyne-Wear derby after a poor run of form which has seen his side knocked out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

However, the Magpies' quality and Premier League pedigree put to bed their Championship opponents. It was a dominant performance from Newcastle in front of 6,000 travelling supporters. This feels to me like a turning point in our season. A much-needed win, a much-needed boost, and those players will have a spring in their step again heading into training this week.

It doesn’t get any easier for Howe though with a January fixture list, which includes Manchester City and Aston Villa. However, the main objective has been achieved this month - win the derby, progress in the cup.

Any talk of Howe being under pressure is outrageous, for me. The man has performed miracles since coming to this club. To go from 19th two seasons ago to top four and a cup final is incredible. A bad patch of form, mainly because half his team is injured, shouldn’t warrant claims you should be sacked.

This momentous derby win could be the catalyst to restart their season, let’s hope so.