Osula project pays off to help ease pressure on Howe

Breaking news from the world of sport: Osula project pays off to help ease pressure on Howe To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Newcastle end losing streak with victory over Brighton By Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter at St James' Park Published 11 minutes ago It was not quite a sleepless night for Eddie Howe, but the Newcastle United head coach clearly had a lot on his mind before the Premier League visit of Brighton . "There was a moment where I woke up and thought, 'Oh dear, what day is it?

It's really unusual for me," he said. "I'm a really good sleeper, but there was an anxiety for me last night where I'm going into today's game just wanting the team to perform. " That should not come as a surprise after Howe faced difficult questions at an annual club summit attended by Newcastle 's owners and executives at Matfen Hall in Northumberland on Thursday.

Match Details

A torrid run of nine defeats in 12 had left the club languishing in 15th place. As much as Howe felt support from those above him, he was "under no illusions" that his side had to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later. Newcastle ended up doing just that in front of watching chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and minority owner Jamie Reuben on Saturday as the hosts defeated in-form Brighton 3-1.

It was an afternoon when Howe relied on experienced heads, including keeper Nick Pope, defender Dan Burn and winger Jacob Murphy, who had only returned to the starting line-up last week. But William Osula is also a player he clearly trusts. Howe's decision to keep faith with the Danish striker again paid off after he left £124m worth of forwards, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, on the bench.

Osula has plenty of rough edges, but the 22-year-old opened the scoring, caused the visitors problems with his pace, and tellingly left the field to a warm ovation from supporters after he was taken off. "He's very hungry, motivated and believes in himself," said Howe. "I think he has a really bright future.

Reactions and Expectations

" Newcastle beat Brighton to give Howe timely boost Saudi Arabian owners' desire for Newcastle 'unchanged' Published 1 day ago 'When he gets an opportunity he grabs it' Image source, Getty Images Image caption, William Osula has scored seven goals in all competitions for Newcastle United this season Osula had previously caught the eye when the owners last visited St James' Park. The substitute got on the scoresheet and caused havoc when he came on for 10-man Newcastle against Liverpool back in August. It was a night when winger Anthony Gordon started up front before getting sent off, but Osula was the only specialist centre-forward available at the time.

Alexander Isak was on strike, in a bid to force through a £125m move to Liverpool , and the club were still searching for solutions in the transfer market after failed moves for Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.