Eddie Howe ‘really pleased’ with Newcastle United star despite error vs Bradford

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Eddie Howe sang the praises of one Newcastle United star after the Carabao Cup victory over Bradford City, despite him making one costly mistake.

Newcastle United kicked off their Carabao Cup defence in style on Wednesday, as they confidently put League One’s Bradford City to the sword.

Eddie Howe’s side cruised to a 4-1 victory, with William Osula and Joelinton scoring a goal each in both halves.

Toon fan Andy Cook did smash one in for the Bantams, but that failed to knock Howe out of his delighted mood.

Newcastle have set up a date with Tottenham in the fourth round at St. James’ Park and Howe moved to praise.

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Eddie Howe praises Lewis Miley after Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup win

After being handed a rare Premier League start at the weekend, teenage midfielder Miley kept his place in the starting XI.

Miley did want to leave on loan this past summer for more regular minutes, but he at least got his wish this past week.

The England youth international put in a tidy display at the base of midfield, with some good link-up play; however, it was his poorly hit pass that gave the ball away for Bradford to score their consolation.

Despite the mistake, Howe still moved to hail Miley’s display.

The manager told the club’s in-house media after the game: “Everyone expects, turning up here, that we score early, well there’s a hope that we score early, and dominate the game

“But it’s never that easy because you have to earn the right to do that, and we had to earn the right to do that with our technical qualities today because we had a lot of the ball.

“That’s why I was really pleased with some of the interplay. Lewis Miley, I thought, was really, really good in a lower position today, and Bruno and Joelinton, I thought, they dominated the midfield battle.”

Eddie Howe delighted with William Osula improvement

Miley wasn’t the only player to please the manager with his performance, as Osula earned his compliments as well.

The Dane is now the club’s top scorer this season after his confident finish past the oncoming goalkeeper and a back-post tap-in.

Howe is happy with how much he is improving. He added: “I think it’s important that any player that plays, has an opportunity, takes their chance.

“I thought he [Osula] did. Will’s come back pre-season and he’s trained really, really well.

“I think his game’s improving all the time and I think you could see that today. With the goal came more confidence, and great to see him get a double.”