The gloom of the London Stadium was soon forgotten. Newcastle may have been abject on Sunday, but in a run of six wins in eight games, one aberration is perhaps permissible.This was a third successive Champions League success, all without conceding, and Eddie Howe’s side can now look forward to the playoff round at least, perhaps even a top‑eight place and automatic passage to the last 16. Quite apart from anything else, they are bigger than most opponents they face in Europe and that, ultimately, was what underlay their victory against Athletic. Continue reading...