Eddie Howe said:

"It was a real statement of character within the squad. We really asked the players to step up, and we really deserved to win. Big positives from today. The leaders within the group set the tone - Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, Matt Ritchie. They make sure we don't surrender. 

"If you are disjointed and go away from your principles, you will be in trouble. We try to be us.

"Yes, it gives extra satisfaction in the fact that the players showed how good they are. It's very easy in these moments for the players we have that are playing to feel a bit sorry for themselves and to look for excuses outside of their own performance, but we didn't allow that to creep into our mentality today and that's the biggest compliment I can give.

"With the schedule that we've had and the schedule we have coming up, we have to celebrate the players' performances after what they gave today in a very difficult moment, so full credit to everybody."

On Lewis Miley:

"I haven’t come across many 17-year-olds at his level, he is a very good athlete, strong, a good size.

"The biggest compliment I can give him is the pass for the first goal - an incredible decision, and he has the right temperament. A lot of young players would have wanted to shoot there. We have high hopes for him.

"For someone so young to come into the game he'll have felt a lot of emotion but he had the composure to pick out the right pass - a brilliant pass."

On Jamaal Lascelles:

"He's been incredible behind the scenes and you want to see that rewarded in the right way. He's been patient and is now performing really well. The goal was a massive moment in our season - Gordon's cross was pinpoint and the header was perfect."

On the three debutants:

"I don't tend to give debuts just because they're there - they've got to deserve it. The lads we put on the pitch today we like and have done well. When you get these situations it's an opportunity for someone to grab."

Mauricio Pochettino - who watched the game from the Directors Box - said:

"Even if Newcastle weren’t great, it was an easy win. It was so easy with the way we conceded, and we were so soft in every challenge. We didn’t show that we were playing for something important. That’s what makes me angry and disappointed.

"It wasn’t our best game, in fact I’d say that was probably our worst performance of the season. It was really tough to be in the stands today and not be able to influence things. 

"I think both teams weren’t at their best levels but we absolutely cannot complain about the result. We only scored one goal, while Newcastle were very ruthless with their chances and deserved to win We didn’t read the game from the beginning and we didn’t play the way that we should or in the way we expect. That’s very disappointing. We showed a lack of intensity today and that’s disappointing, especially when we had got ourselves back in the game with Raheem’s goal. 

"At 1-1, I think that was the moment for us to take control of the game, force them deep and put the pressure onto Newcastle. Unfortunately we didn’t do that, we didn’t have the intensity required and I think we made it too easy for Newcastle. 

"That is why I am so upset and frustrated with not only the result, but also the performance. That has to be much, much better because today was our worst performance of the season and that’s very disappointing.

"Recently we have been talking a lot about the need to become more consistent. We came into this game after the international break having played two good games against Tottenham and Manchester City and we spoke in the week about ensuring we maintain these levels.

"We are a young side with lots of areas to improve but the first thing to get right is the intensity levels. We are very sorry to everyone for this performance but now it is up to us to take the responsibility and make things right in the next game.

"We spoke in the dressing room after the game to reflect and we need to sleep on this one and get back to work as soon as possible. With a young team, sometimes you need a situation like today to happen for them to realise what is required. It’s one for us to learn from."

(Coach Jesus Perez took charge on the touchline)

Biffa