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Eddie Howe has thrown his support behind Kieran Trippier after the defender had a night to forget at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Newcastle were knocked out of the EFL Cup after Chelsea forward Mikhalio Mudryk scored an equaliser in the 92nd minute of the game, before Mauricio Pochettino’s side went on to win the shootout 4-2 and book their place in the semi-finals.
Trippier came on to replace Emil Krafth at half-time after Callum Wilson had fired the away side ahead after 16 minutes.
Trippier would go second in the shoot out but agonisingly sent his spot-kick wide of the uprights, with Matt Ritchie having his spot-kick saved by Djordje Petrovic, sealing the victory for Chelsea.
Eddie Howe given his support to Kieran Trippier after his difficult recent run of form
The managers comments came after Trippier had a night to forget at Stamford Bridge, after he missed a penalty that saw Newcastle crash out of the EFL Cup against Chelsea
But Newcastle boss, Howe, reflected on how influential the 33-year-old has been for Newcastle since he joined from Atletico Madrid in 2022, before putting his support behind the defender.
‘Tripps [Trippier] is an incredibly strong character,’ Howe said during his post-match press conference.
‘As I’ve said many times he’s a transformative signing. Someone that’s taken the group onto a totally different level.
‘He’s been the heartbeat of that. So when he’s given us so much now it’s our turn to support him and look after him the other way and that’s what we’ll do.’
Trippier has been one of Newcastle’s brightest stars in recent years, having helped guide them to the Champions League last season.
While it has been a difficult month for the defender, it’s worth noting that he still ranks joint-top of the Premier League’s assist rankings alongside Mohamed Salah and Pedro Neto.
Despite that, his form on the pitch in the last few weeks has dropped below par. Trippier notably lost possession to allow Dwight McNeil to score the opener during the Magpies 3-0 defeat by Everton at Goodison park at the start of December.
Against Tottenham, Trippier had to cope with the ever-dangerous Son Heung-min, with the South Korean getting beyond him to score twice and help Spurs claim a 4-1 win.
He also received a yellow card in that game, his fifth booking of the season which ultimately saw him receive a suspension against Fulham.
Interestingly, Chelsea winger Mudryk took to social media after yesterdays game to deliver a message of support for the right-back after his mistake.
He wrote: ‘Kieran, just wanna say to you, stay strong, sometimes the s*** happens, but I think you are a strong footballer no matter what. @ktrippier2.’
Jamie Redknapp also lumped praise on the defender, claiming that he was one of the best professionals in the game while also claiming he believes Trippier will get through his recent dip in form.
Trippier had also been at fault for Mykhailo Mudryk’s equaliser, but Howe claimed it was time for Newcastle to stand behind their right back
Trippier was visibly distraught at full-time after Newcastle crashed out of the tournament
‘He’s a very experienced player, we looked at it 33 years of age is played in World Cups. He’s been a top professional.
‘I think in a way that you just have to do it yourself because he is one of the best Premier League players, one of the best professionals we’ve seen and it couldn’t happen.
‘If you think about all the good guys is certainly one of the best guys everybody that meets him everyone says what a great job he does. Top professional. It’s it’s going to be difficult for him because this is two or three games he’s got now but I’ve got no doubt we’ll get through it.
‘He’s just got to work hard and in training I think is going to be important for him. You know, good people around him as well.’
