Eddie Howe had reason to be wary. Up against a young hotshot coach and his high-flying Belgian champions, Newcastle’s manager must have felt a degree of pressure at the kick-off.
Given that Howe’s team are still coming to terms with the departure of their former leading scorer Alexander Isak and had been struggling for form, a balmy early October night in Brussels seemed far from the ideal time or place to meet Sébastian Pocognoli’s vibrant Union Saint-Gilloise.
A loss at Anderlecht’s Lotto Park – Uefa deems Union SG’s own ground too small for Champions League games – would inevitably have left Newcastle in “crisis” before Sunday’s Premier League date with a hitherto similarly stuttering Nottingham Forest on Tyneside.
Instead they will face Ange Postecoglou’s side with confidence fully restored after goals from the impressive Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, allied to excellent performances by Sandro Tonali and Anthony Elanga in particular, ultimately overwhelmed Pocognoli’s commendably spirited side.
Lotto Park was gloriously loud at kick off and locals might have had something to celebrate had Kevin Rodríguez not directed a headed half chance over the bar after connecting with the fall out from Anouar Ait El Hadj’s corner.
