Eddie Howe reveals what he 'loved' about Nick Woltemade's performance after Newcastle's £69m striker silenced critics with sublime display against Union Saint-Gilloise

Eddie Howe says he ‘loved’ the sight of Nick Woltemade ignoring protocol and asking to take both of the penalties scored by Anthony Gordon in the 4-0 win over Union SG.

The German opened the scoring in Brussels with a clever flick and wanted to take responsibility with the spot-kicks converted by Gordon. 

He had to be talked down by his team-mates but was soon among the first to congratulate the scorer.

And Howe said: ‘I love it! The best strikers I’ve worked with want to score. Even if there is a directive, they don’t care! They want to score. They want that responsibility. I’ve got no issue with that at all.’

Howe added: ‘But I think Anthony's been practising them a lot. He's been working very hard on his routine. 

'You can see that he's very focused. I was really pleased with how he took the two penalties. When you see someone as dedicated as he's been towards that, I had no hesitation in giving him that role.’

Woltemade has taken his tally to three goals from four starts since his £69million move from Stuttgart, silencing some critics in his homeland. Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinze Rummenigge says Newcastle were ‘fools’ for paying so much for the 23-year-old.

But Howe said: ‘People will always discuss transfer fees. For a player, it’s just about committing to what you’re being asked to do. 

'He is very good in that respect off the pitch. He does not seem unsettled. He has come into another country and there is very little fuss.

‘He was excellent today. A lot of times he's the pass before the wingers receive the ball, and so almost their involvement has relied on his ability to play that pass. 

'He's going to need crosses to score, that would be one major source of his goals. I'm pleased he's got the goal today because that will help him feel even more embedded into our team.'