Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says his team must be at their best if they are to secure victory in the Premier League against Fulham, and he hopes to build on their strong performance and positive result against Benfica in the Champions League.  

Ahead of Marco Silva's visit, Eddie Howe spoke to the media about his team's victory, the challenge this weekend and the contract situation surrounding midfielder Sandro Tonali.  

Talking about the team's 3-0 victory over Benfica, Eddie Howe said: "This was an exciting performance and result. This victory means a lot to us. It puts us in a good position in the Champions League and gives us more confidence for Saturday's game. I think the team's overall performance deserves recognition, but Sandro Tonali remains our focus. Although he participated in training, he has not yet fully recovered and his condition is still a little fluctuating."  

"During Sandro Tonali's suspension, many discussions took place within the club. Sandro Tonali felt the love and support from everyone at the club, which was exactly what he needed at the time. He performed well, integrated very well into the team, enjoyed the fun of football and was an indispensable member of the team."  

Talking about the game against Fulham, Eddie Howe said: "It will be a difficult game and the opponent's strength should not be underestimated. We have just finished the Champions League. This is a challenge both mentally and physically, but we must do our best to deal with it."  

“It all comes down to the team’s attitude and mentality. We have to maintain the same focus and commitment in every game. We showed a great attitude and a strong will to win against Benfica and we need to maintain that level of play in every game.”