Howe’s side were dreadful in the first half at the Etihad Stadium, sitting off their opponents and failing to show any aggression or drive as Omar Marmoush’s first-half hat-trick effectively settled the game.
The Newcastle boss brought on Miley at the interval, with Joe Willock making way, and the youngster immediately displayed the kind of energy and commitment that had been so badly lacking before the break.
Despite his best efforts, Miley could not prevent his side suffering a 4-0 defeat that was confirmed when James McAtee scored Manchester City’s fourth goal from close range, but Howe has urged the rest of his players to take note of the 18-year-old’s attitude throughout the second half.
“The big positive is Lewis’ performance in the second half,” said the Magpies boss, who must surely be considering handing the teenager a start in next weekend’s home game with Nottingham Forest. “He showed, not just bravery out of possession, in terms of winning duels and covering the pitch, but also in terms of taking the ball, showing composure and making the right decisions, which we didn’t do enough of.
“He can be very proud of his performance, but some of us need to look at him because he led the way.”
Newcastle’s first-half performance lacked the kind of intensity that has become the hallmark of Howe’s team, with the Magpies boss admitting his side were nowhere near the standard that was required.
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Newcastle strung together a nine-game winning run at the turn of the year, but have now lost three of their last four league matches, with their only victory in that sequence having come against the Premier League’s bottom club, Southampton.
“We are very disappointed with our general performance,” said Howe. “I expected us to be really competitive, but I don’t think we were.
“Off the ball, in terms of trying to deliver a really competitive, energetic performance, it wasn’t there. We were off on our duels, and then it becomes very difficult because they’re still the best team in the Premier League, maybe the world for me, in the build-up phase.
“With the ball, I think they’re still a very difficult team to play against. They can keep the ball for long periods of time, so it can become a difficult mix if you don’t get that first part right and we didn’t. Sadly, that led to a disappointing performance.”