“It was great to be back on the touchline, despite feeling a bit short of energy,” he said. “I was pleased with the team's performance and the way we managed the game.

Ipswich set up well, making it difficult for us to create chances, but we had to be patient and wait for our opportunities.

Having a man advantage definitely helped, and the first goal was crucial for us. We played well in the second half, and it was great to see different players scoring.

Goalkeeper Will Osula's header was a standout moment, and it's a confidence booster for him.

On the penalty awarded to Newcastle, Howe was adamant it was a clear penalty, citing foul play on Jacob Murphy.

“I thought it was a penalty from the start,” he said. “I wasn't sure if VAR would intervene, but I'm glad they did. It was a clear decision.

Newcastle's win moves them up to third place in the Premier League table, and Howe acknowledged the Champions League qualifying race is still intense.

“It will be a close finish,” he said. “The most important thing was bouncing back from last week's loss. We've been consistent and now we have four crucial games ahead.