Malick Thiaw struck twice, with Lewis Miley and Nick Woltemade also on the scoresheet on Saturday.
Howe rung the changes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with Sandro Tonali benched and Anthony Gordon rested.
Howe explained: “We made changes because I wanted no fatigue on the pitch. I didn't want the feeling that I had after the Brentford game, the West Ham game, where I felt we were tired and lethargic.
"So, with that in mind, I think we have to trust the squad and use the squad. They repaid that faith.
"The players that came in, I thought, were excellent.The players that remained from the previous games did well too. I thought we had a good look about us. I thought we had our athleticism and pace in the right areas of the pitch."
Howe also confirmed Sven Botman would be seeing a specialist this week as he seeks to recover from a back injury.