Athony Elanga delivers surprise message to Tottenham after what Eddie Howe has said before Newcastle vs Spurs
Anthony Elanga’s early months as a Newcastle United player have been anything but straightforward. The Swedish winger arrived in the summer for a sizeable £55 million fee from Nottingham Forest, a price tag that immediately brought expectation and scrutiny. Yet his opening performances were hesitant, inconsistent, and a far cry from the electric displays that had once made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting prospects.
However, Saturday’s emphatic 4–1 victory over Everton may well prove to be the moment his Newcastle career begins to gather real momentum.
Elanga delivered his most influential performance in black and white to date. He registered his first official assist for the club, providing the clever, weighted pass that allowed Nick Woltemade to score with a stunning lobbed finish. That moment alone would have helped lift some of the pressure off Elanga’s shoulders, but it was only part of what he contributed.
The 23-year-old also won the corner that led to Newcastle’s opening goal, while playing a key role in the build-up to their second. His energy, direct running, and willingness to take responsibility on the ball were evident throughout the match. After weeks of struggling to impose himself, Elanga finally looked like the attacking threat Newcastle believed they had signed.
With a crucial Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur looming on Tuesday night, Elanga’s confidence could not be rising at a better time.
Eddie Howe Backs Elanga to Keep Improving
If Elanga left St James’ Park on Saturday already feeling more optimistic, those feelings would only have grown after Eddie Howe’s comments in his pre-match press conference on Monday.
The Newcastle manager was asked specifically about Elanga’s progress, and Howe’s response made it clear that the club view the winger as a long-term asset who is just starting to find his feet.
“The first transition of the game right from kick-off against Everton is him running the length of the pitch onto a pass from Nick and almost scoring,” Howe explained via the club’s official site. “That set the tone for us, and he can be very pleased with his contribution on Saturday.
“He’s beginning to settle into the rhythm of life at Newcastle because it is a change for any player. I see a very level, steady performer, and I think he’ll continue to get better and better.”
It is worth remembering that Elanga was something of a surprise starter at the weekend, with many expecting Howe to stick with Jacob Murphy or return Anthony Gordon to the lineup. Instead, Elanga seized the opportunity, and now he has given his manager a decision to make ahead of the Spurs match.
A Big Decision for Howe Ahead of Tottenham
Elanga is undoubtedly a confidence player. When he feels trusted and supported, his willingness to take risks and express himself grows dramatically. Saturday’s performance highlighted exactly that, and Howe may be tempted to reward him with another start on Tuesday.
Selecting Elanga again would send a powerful message that his efforts have been recognised—and that he has a genuine chance of cementing a regular place in the team. It could be the nudge he needs to finally settle fully into life in the North East and prove that his early struggles were nothing more than growing pains.
However, Howe faces the constant challenge of managing his squad during an intense stretch of fixtures. Anthony Gordon continues to push for minutes, while Jacob Murphy offers reliability and tactical discipline. Both remain strong contenders to start, and with rotation essential, there is always the possibility that Elanga could find himself back on the bench despite his standout display.
Even so, his performance against Everton has shifted the narrative. Instead of questions about whether he fits the team, the conversation now revolves around how high his ceiling might be once he fully adapts.
Saturday could be remembered as the match where Anthony Elanga’s Newcastle career finally began.