Newcastle United’s upward management since Eddie Howe’s arrival at Tyneside is evolving at such a pace that the Toon Army can now add Wembley to their list of destinations as they aim for a Champions League spot next season.
This being Newcastle, what looked like a walk against Southampton in their EFL Cup semi-final came with some nerves in the second half before the sound of Paul Tierney’s final whistle was drowned out by the roars deafening sounds echoing around Tyneside.
In reality, Newcastle United have never been in serious threat of losing a place in their first Wembley final since the 1999 FA Cup, once two early goals from Sean Longstaff gave them an even greater grip on that semi-final. of the EFL Cup after winning the first leg at Sainte Marie.
First Wembley final since 1999. First League Cup final since 1976. A chance to lift their first trophy since defeating Ujpest Dozsa in the 1969 Intercity Fairs Cup final.
Heady times indeed for Newcastle United and their transformational manager Eddie Howe, backed by transformational funds provided by Saudi owners.
When Howe took over from Steve Bruce in November 2021, Newcastle United were 19th in the Premier League table, five points from safety after 11 games.
The mood was hopeful, however, thanks to these mega-rich new owners.
Despite all the debate and questions surrounding them, as well as accusations that this famous former club was being used as a sports washing exercise, Newcastle’s chart has gone up ever since.
What has happened on the pitch since has been more than even the most optimistic Newcastle fan could have dreamed of.
Revitalized Newcastle ready for Wembley date
Newcastle’s confidence is now so high they will be confident against Manchester United or Nottingham Forest at Wembley on February 26 – and all this while chasing a place in the top four of the Premier League and next season’s Champions League , as they are currently third in the table.
The frenzied atmosphere of Tyneside once Southampton were beaten was a release from the years of pain in the 1990s when Kevin Keegan’s great performers couldn’t cross the line in the Premier League and Sir’s sides Kenny Dalglish and Sir Bobby Robson have suffered back-to-back FA Cup final defeats. at Arsenal and Manchester United in 1998 and 1999.
This was followed by years of discontent under former owner Mike Ashley.
Back then, Newcastle fans were often criticized for expecting too much from a club that hasn’t won a trophy for almost 54 years – that was a harsh judgment call.
They didn’t want a procession of title and Champions League triumphs coming to Tyneside. They just wanted a club with such rich potential, a one-team city with a spectacular stadium near the heart of that city, to have a chance to assert themselves on the pitch.
Howe relaunched his own career after taking time off following his departure following relegation from Bournemouth.
And he now has the chance to take his place in Newcastle folklore by becoming the first manager to win a trophy on Tyneside since Joe Harvey.
Working alongside director of football Dan Ashworth, and even before his arrival, Howe laid the groundwork for progress with smart signings of powerhouse figures such as Kieran Trippier alongside real class in the form of Brazilian creator Bruno Guimaraes.
Goalkeeper Nick Pope proved an incredible deal at £10m and striker Alexander Isak cost £60m but showed his quality, while watching from the stands against Southampton draped in a black and white scarf was Newcastle’s latest acquisition, Anthony Gordon, bought from Everton in a deal that could possibly be worth £45million.
It was also fitting that those great names of the 1990s, Alan Shearer and David Ginola, who kept the flame alive even though the trophies did not come, were in St James’ Park to join in the celebrations.
The Toon Army will travel to London in their thousands to join the party at Wembley and such has been the long wait for success that Newcastle manager and players will make themselves immortal if they emerge victorious.
Forget the fact that the Coupe de la Ligue is a distant third, some might even say fourth, on the national priority list. When you’ve waited as long as Newcastle have to taste success, get your hands on any kind of serious silverware, this game will mean everything.
And the mood on Tyneside is now so vibrant that Newcastle’s Toon army hope this is just the beginning.
