Sean Longstaff hails “massive” win

Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff says there is no crisis at the club but admitted it was a relief to get a first win of the new season.

Steve Bruce’s time in charge at St James’ Park has been a baptism of fire with criticism growing after they lost their first two games of the new campaign. However, a 1-0 win away at Tottenham lifted the spirits on Tyneside and Longstaff, who started the game in place of Jonjo Shelvey, said talk of crisis at the club had been “blown out of proportion”.

After a poor start under new manager Bruce though, the midfielder, who was linked with Manchester United in the summer, admitted the win over Spurs was much needed. He said: “We have had a lot of criticism towards us and the manager.

“We showed what a good team we are and how committed we are as a whole and that’s how we are going to be successful this season.” Longstaff though wasn’t critical of the fans admitting: “They back us massively. The fans are a massive part of the club and we know that more than anyone and without them we wouldn’t be the same club.”

United, having got their first three points of the campaign, have two games in a week before the international break. They are at home to Leicester in the second round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday and then on Saturday are again at St James’ Park.

Watford are the visitors with Javi Gracia’s side bottom of the table, the only side to have lost all of their first three games of the new league season.

Newcastle are 2.40 to win at the weekend with Watford 3.00 and the draw is 3.30. United are 2.20 to be relegated at the end of the season with Watford 3.60.