The Magpies will go top of the early Premier League table if they beat Fulham on Saturday (21.09.24) but the coach thinks his team needs to close the gap to the two dominant clubs in the league.

Howe said: "I don’t see how we can compare ourselves to them currently.

"But the aim is to get there, the aim is to close the gap every day, every week. That is what we are working towards.

"That has to be our aim, our longer-term aim and short-term aim, and that is what I am trying to work towards."

Newcastle have won three of their four games so far this season despite not always playing their best football and Howe is refusing to get carried away with his team's strong points return.

He said: "There can always be an over-reaction to both ways at this stage of the season. If you start poorly, there can be an over-reaction, and if you start well, there can possibly be an over-reaction too.

"For us, it’s about just staying very calm and trying to win every game we play. The next game is always the focus.

"It would be nice for us (going top). It’s a great motivation for us this weekend. Of course, it means nothing because it’s so early, but that’s where we want to be."