Eddie Howe has praised the performance of Nick Woltemade in a makeshift midfield position as Newcastle eased to a 6-1 win at Qarabag in the first leg of their playoff encounter.
The German forward was deployed in midfield due to the club’s injury crisis with the likes of Joelinton, Lewis Miley and Bruno Guimaraes unavailable and enjoyed a very impressive shift.
It proved to be a tactical brilliance from Howe as the Magpies won their first leg clash with ease to put one foot in the next round of the competition.
“Nick was really good. Off the ball, excellent. Tactically, understood what was asked of him. He was very reliable in possession, I don’t think he gave the ball away”, the Newcastle United boss said.
“He was very good in some awkward situations, he also has that creative flair that we need in that position.”
Anthony Gordon took his goal tally in the Champions League this season to 10 after scoring four times in the 6-1 win.
The England international opened the scoring in the third minute, before Malick Thiaw added a second five minutes later.
Gordon then scored three more goals in the first half, including two penalties to put his side 5-0 up heading into the break.
Elvin Cafarquliyev then scored a consolation for the hosts in the second half, before he deflected Jacob Murphy’s effort into his own net later in the game for Newcastle’s sixth.
“He was really good in the first half. He started the press. A number of his goals came from his attitude off the ball. His first goal was a key moment, a really good finish”, Howe hailed four-goal hero Gordon after the match.
“He could have had more but a very good display.”
Newcastle have all but booked their spot in the next round ahead of the second leg next week and will face either Chelsea or Barcelona.
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