Eddie Howe feels that Newcastle United and Ipswich Town served up a battle that did the occasion justice at Portman Road.

The Premier League clash against the Tractor Boys saw Newcastle storm into an early lead thanks to Alexander Isak's goal after 25 seconds and that advantage was extended to 3-0 by half-time. Ipswich then fought hard in the second half and while Kieran McKenna's side could not prevent Isak getting his hat-trick or getting back into the game, it was a plucky effort after the break.

Before the game we'd had some Sir Bobby nostalgia as his golden moments were replayed on the big screen before his favourite song - 'My Way' by Frank Sinatra - was aired around the stadium during a poignant warm-up for both sets of teams.

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On a day in which, the Sir Bobby statue at Portman Road was draped with a half and half Newcastle-Ipswich scarf, it made for an emotional occasion with both sets of fans in unison at one stage chanting the name of the ex-England boss.

When asked if he felt Sir Bobby would have been proud of the display from his two ex-clubs, Howe told Chronicle Live: "I think he would have done. I think he would have enjoyed both teams’ efforts.

"I think Ipswich are a very good team, I watched a lot of them in the build-up to the game. Very competitive and I think we were helped by scoring so early today.

"I think in the second half, they showed their character, they never stopped going, they caused us problems, so I think he would have been proud of both teams’ efforts."

Of Sir Bobby, Northern Irishman McKenna said: "The job he did with the England side and the 1990 World Cup was when I was first watching football. He then did some fantastic work across the continent before heading to Newcastle where he held such an affinity with the club.

"It’s a nice link between both Ipswich and Newcastle. He’s loved and respected by everyone in football, but especially with these two clubs. We’re grateful for what he did for the club and the legacy he left, which is a big part of why we’re all here today."