Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe says Allan Saint-Maximin is in a "better place" after returning from his injury and has backed him to rediscover his top form for Newcastle.

The winger has missed 10 games because of injury this season, and has only played 90 minutes in one Carabao Cup game since his return.

Howe said: "I think Maxi is someone who probably performs better with a more consistent run of games, but I would say that is the same for all players.

"He has a window and an opportunity to impress. I thought there were some aspects of his game that were in a really good place last week. Most importantly, he tried to give his all for the team - I don’t think there was any lack of effort from him.

"West Ham managed him well in the game. Teams will always look at him as a big threat and probably produce their gameplans on keeping him quiet. But it’s up to us to him to find a solution to those gameplans.

"I’ve been really pleased with his attitude and how he’s worked this week and I think Maxi is in a better place."

Saint-Maximin registered three assists in Newcastle's 4-1 win over Bournemouth last time out at Vitality Stadium, when Howe was in the opposite dugout.

On his performance that day, Howe said: "He’s capable of some brilliant things. That day he was very, very good. There was no crowd and I thought it was a strange atmosphere that day, but Newcastle were very good.

"They scored some good goals, made it difficult for us and there will be a few players who played that day that will be playing, so hopefully some good memories for them."

Arsenal

Arsenal's Leandro Trossard speaking to BBC MOTD: "Yeah of course it's nice to have the goal as it gets me going but after that it's disappointing they got the equaliser. It's a tough one to take. We did everything well. To score against Brentford isn't easy.

"We said before on the set-pieces they're really good and today it happened again. We have to learn from that. There's a game again on Wednesday to turn things around.

"You don't get your way every game. We have to work hard every single day. There's a great atmosphere in the team and we have to keep that momentum going even when results don't go your way."

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs forward Son Heung-min: “We started quite well and created chances. After it was 1-1 we conceded a quick second goal and then it was open. It was a difficult game then. Leicester were so clinical, they almost scored every chance. It’s a very disappointing result.

“I think it’s very sad. We knew it was going to be a really hard game. In the Premier League it’s never an easy game. It showed the Premier League has a high level. I don’t know what I can say, it’s very disappointing.

"I don’t think [it was complacency]. We came with a good feeling after beating City. The first minute we were really on it. We should be ready and learn something.

"Today should be a big lesson for us."

Fulham

Fulham goalscorer WIllian after his side ended a run of three games without a win to move up to seventh place: "It is an amazing result for us, I think when we play at home we have to get the job done and we played well.

"In the second half there were a couple of moments where we struggled a little bit but we deserved the three points."

On his first-half goal: "It was amazing, a beautiful goal. One of the best I've scored with my left foot. But the most important thing is to win the game and I helped the team win.

"I should have scored two - it was unlucky [to hit the post in the second half]. But we got what we wanted."

On any nerves before Manor Solomon's late second goal: "They had three chances maybe but we were always there competing. We suffered a bit but we suffered together.

"Now we need to keep improving and keep moving forward."

Leicester City

Leicester goalscorer Nampalys Mendy: "I'm really happy to score my first goal. It’s been a long time.

"At the end we get a win with a great attitude.

"I scored only two goals, the other was at Nice, a little bit similar. Everyone did their job. We have to keep it for the next game.

"I think we have a great attitude. Some players have come back from injury. We are strong. I think we can keep the good results.

"I don’t think so [he should score more goals]. I scored one, I’m very happy.

"We know they’re a good team, strong defensively."

On Ricardo Pereira's return from injury: "I’m very happy for him, everyone is. He’s a good guy. The last six months have not been very easy for him."

Wolves

Wolves' Ruben Neves, speaking to Premier League Productions: "Massive win. Fantastic win and a fantastic character of the team. That was a team win. I was shouting because it was really important for us. We stuck together as a team and this is a fantastic win for us."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton winger Solly March: "It is frustrating, we dominated the game. We had a few chances to kill the game off and unfortunately for us it wasn't to be. It was one of those days.

"It always seem to be the same against Palace. They always seem to be able to find a goal. Nothing against Rob but it was a mistake and that happens."

Image source, Getty Images

• After winning two of their first three Premier League games against Newcastle United, Bournemouth are now without a victory in their past six against the Magpies (D3 L3).
• With two goals against Southampton in the Carabao Cup and an assist against West Ham last time out, Newcastle's Sean Longstaff has been involved in as many goals in his past two games as he had in his previous 38.
• After just two victories in his first 10 matches against a side he's managed before (D2 L6, all against Burnley between 2013 and 2020), Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has won three of his past four against his former clubs (D1).

Craig Beazley, UTCIAD, external

It's getting to the stage now that we have to get points on the board at all costs. Stop playing the pretty football or trying to defend a draw away at Brighton and start getting games by the scruff of the neck.

This weekend we come up against the master of this in Eddie Howe, a man who is held in such high regard.

In every single game, Eddie used to attack, with the impetus to win the football match by outscoring the opponents. It didn't always work, we are Bournemouth after all, not Manchester City.

But we could do with that now, as on Saturday Gary O'Neil yet again went into defensive mode to try to get a point.

We weren't playing badly - we could have nicked a result. But going too defensive invited pressure and, like Nottingham Forest equalising the week before to deny us two points, Brighton scored and stopped us even getting one.

So this weekend, if Gary is still in charge, my advice is to play like the man in the other dugout - as he's got it right in the past.

Eddie Howe says it is difficult to predict how he will feel on his return to Bournemouth.

The 45-year-old left the club by mutual consent in 2020 following their relegation from the Premier League.

When asked how he will feel returning to the club where he managed more than 450 games over two spells, he said: "The emotional side is difficult to predict how I’ll feel walking out into a stadium I know so well and so many people I know so well. That is very difficult to put myself there.

"For the moment we are just preparing the game as we would any other Premier League game and making sure we get our players ready for what will be a really tough game.

"I know the other side preparing as Bournemouth manager it is a special place to play football when it’s rocking and we need to be ready for that kind of atmosphere."

Howe was asked about the Cherries' current situation under Gary O'Neil and their eight-match winless run in all competitions.

He said: "It’s very important for us that we don’t look at that. Let’s look at what they have done in recent weeks. They have signed some very good players, invested in the transfer market.

"This is a different Bournemouth team to the one we have seen in previous weeks. They are very athletic, they have got some really good athletes, there is a lot of pace all through the team. This is a different game and we need to be ready for what’s ahead."

Well, that was fun. And there's more! Attentions now turn to the late game, with interest at both ends of the table.

Newcastle can very much take advantage of Spurs' defeat by solidifying their place in the top four.

Bournemouth can move out of the bottom three with a victory.

Matty AFC: That was Eddie's worst game since filling in for Jesus IMO. Zinchenko also had a shocker - incredibly poor decision making. Wednesday night just got even bigger. Lose, and the title is gone IMO.

Image source, BBC Sport

Arsenal's lead at the top is six points after that draw with Brentford, who are in eighth after Fulham beat Nottingham Forest.

Newcastle, up next against Bournemouth, are a point ahead of Tottenham and can extend that after Antonio Conte's side were beaten heavily at Leicester.

Awful free-kick. And that's it.

League leaders Arsenal drop points to Brentford after Ivan Toney cancels out Leandro Trossard's opener.

Another brilliant performance from Thomas Frank's side.

Thomas Partey's cross headed back in the middle. Kristoffer Ajer pokes it away.

Arsenal then win a free-kick just outside the box. Seconds to go. Last chance?

Fulham are up to seventh!

Willian's wonderful goal put Fulham into a half-time lead and like, they had done six times already this season, Marco Silva's side went on to grab the three points.

Substitute Manor Solomon, who had to leave Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk because of the war and then suffered a knee injury shortly after joining Fulham, wrapped up the three points.

From the moment Nampalys Mendy fired in the equaliser, Leicester controlled the game and picked off Spurs to record a handsome win.

It's been a tough season for Brendan Rodgers and the Foxes, but they are very much on the up.

Tottenham are back to the drawing board. They were really poor.

There they are.

Southampton led 1-0 at the break and played with an extra man for over an hour.

Yet they have still slipped to a sixth defeat in seven games under Nathan Jones.

Jones appears to exit stage left and go down the tunnel very sharply.