EDDIE HOWE felt his Newcastle United side produced the ‘best performance of his time at the club’ as they signed off for the season at St James’ Park with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal.

The Magpies dominated from start to finish as they dented Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League and lifted themselves to the 46-point mark, the highest points total recorded by the club since their return to the top-flight in 2017.

Ben White’s own goal opened the scoring at the start of the second half, with the Arsenal defender turning Joelinton’s cross into his own net ahead of Callum Wilson, before Bruno Guimaraes completed the scoring with five minutes left.

Newcastle’s players and staff completed a post-match lap of honour in front of a raucous St James’ Park crowd, with Howe delighted with his side’s efforts.

“I was very, very pleased with the performance,” said the Newcastle head coach. “I thought it was our best performance by some distance since I’ve been at the football club.

“I think the most pleasing thing is that we were dominant in the first half, but I’ve seen that happen so many times where the dominant team can then drop off and the game totally changes.

“The biggest credit I can give my players is that that didn’t happen, and we were probably better in the second half. Full credit to the group, and a great way to finish off here.”

Last night’s win was Newcastle’s first victory over top-six opposition this season, a notable achievement to round off an excellent second half of the campaign at St James’.

“It feels like a step forward, definitely,” said Howe. “That was a challenge we posed. Could we get a positive result against one of the top six? I felt we were capable of it, but I think you need to see it.

“That was a challenge we responded to really well. I thought the way we started the game, and the intensity of our play and our pressing was very, very good.

“I also thought you saw a progression and an evolution in terms of the football we played. I thought we were creative with the ball, and looked like we could score. Maybe not so much in the first half, but definitely in the second, I thought we were incisive. I think we’re seeing an improvement in all areas.”

St James’ Park was a cauldron of noise and passion from the outset, with Howe admitting the raucous home atmosphere has been a key factor in his side’s success in the wake of last autumn’s takeover, which saw Mike Ashley relinquish control.

“I just feel very, very proud to be connected with the club,” he said. “It’s an incredible debt of thanks from me to the supporters for the way in which they have handled what was a very difficult situation this year.

“If you think back to Cambridge and Watford, how they reacted after those games was absolutely magnificent. I think that paved the way for us to build some confidence and unity, and the spirit to go on the brilliant run we’ve been on.”