Premier League news: Howe vows to ‘fight harder than ever’; Slot banks on Isak return

Eddie Howe speaks to his Newcastle players during training this week Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenEddie Howe speaks to his Newcastle players during training this week Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United/Getty ImagesThe talkNewcastle UnitedPremier League news: Howe vows to ‘fight harder than ever’; Slot banks on Isak returnNewcastle manager in defiant mood before facing former club while Liverpool’s manager seeks uplift from derbyGuardian sport and agenciesFri 17 Apr 2026 17.01 BSTLast modified on Fri 17 Apr 2026 17.04 BSTSharePrefer the Guardian on Google1. Howe demands ‘commitment and resolve’ from unsettled trioA defiant Eddie Howe has vowed to “fight harder than ever before” to reignite Newcastle’s season and has debunked suggestions that history is repeating itself as he apparently runs out of ideas on Tyneside.With Newcastle 14th in the Premier League, there is a school of thought that Howe’s hitherto successful time at St James’ Park is ending in similar fashion to the disappointing conclusion of his Bournemouth tenure six years ago. Howe, who comes up against his former club, fails to detect such parallels.“Every club’s different and this club is totally different to Bournemouth,” he said. “If me leaving helps the club, then, of course, that’s something I’ll do. I’ve got no issue doing that. It’s not about me. But if I believe I’m right person to take the club forward, which I do right now, then I’ll do that and fight to the end. I’ll fight harder than I’ve ever fought before. My fire is burning very, very strongly. There’s loads of wood stacked up and I’m ready to put it on it.”Howe hopes to revive Newcastle’s creative spark against on Saturday and win a league fixture against his old club for the first time since leaving the south coast. His cause is hindered by the swirl of transfer speculation surrounding three of his key players – Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento.“The one thing I’m...