Eddie Howe has admitted that he was unaware his Newcastle stars headed off to watch Luke Littler’s narrow defeat to Michael van Gerwen on Thursday night. 

The pair faced off in the semi-finals at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, with Van Gerwen storming into a 5-3 lead before Littler hit back to level the contest.

However, Van Gerwen bounced back from missing six match darts in the penultimate leg, as he broke Littler’s throw to clinch the decider.

Magpies players Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff, Harvey Barnes, Mark Gillispie, Paul Dummett, Elliot Anderson and Matt Targett were all seen on a table at the Utilita Arena on the night. 

A group of Newcastle’s stars were spotted watching Luke Littler’s Premier League match

Magpies boss Eddie Howe admitted he ‘wasn’t aware’ that his players attended the event

Sky Sports cameras were quick to cast the spotlight on them, with some of the players appearing to smirk as they turned away, before the incident was brought up with Newcastle boss Howe. 

Speaking on Friday, Howe said: ‘I wasn’t aware of that so, erm… you’ll need to give me a list of names please.

He continued: ‘Hopefully it wasn’t a late night? Maybe they should’ve been in fancy dress!’

While some of the Magpies players would’ve hoped to see Littler claim victory on the night, instead, it was Van Gerwen who emerged victorious. 

Van Gerwen is now eight points clear at the top of the Premier League standings, with opening night winner Michael Smith second on seven points. 

Littler lies third on seven but is yet to win a stop on the series, with Rob Cross completing the top four on six points. 

Littler came up just short when he took on Van Gerwen in their semi-final clash on Thursday

Van Gerwen won his third consecutive Premier League event to move clear in the standings

Howe will certainly be hoping that his Magpies stars are feeling fresh and fit for their upcoming trip to title challengers Arsenal on Saturday night. 

Newcastle head into the clash with just one win out of their last three games, having been held to draws against Bournemouth and Luton in recent weeks. 

Though their struggles on the pitch will concern Howe, the saga that will dominate his thoughts is that regarding soon-to-be Man United sporting director Dan Ashworth. 

INEOS have made an approach to Newcastle for Ashworth but have been asked for £20m, after the Mapgies placed the ex-England man on gardening leave.

It is thought Man United are willing to be patient and wait for Ashworth if a compromise cannot be reached, and that would mean Newcastle paying his wages for the duration of his gardening leave.

INEOS have made an approach to Newcastle for Ashworth but have been asked for £20m

The 52-year-old’s position felt as good as untenable following Eddie Howe’s pre-match press conference on Friday, in which he expressed his concern over Ashworth’s access to the club’s inner workings ahead of a likely defection to their rivals.

Howe said then it was for ‘someone above me’ to answer whether Ashworth should be asked to leave the building immediately. The inference was the head coach wanted the situation resolved imminently.

Ashworth remained over the weekend, attending scouting meetings and Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth.

However, he informed the club of his desire to leave on Sunday, just 20 months after joining from Brighton.