In the hopes that the final step to a long-overdue triumph was finally in sight, Newcastle United’s exuberant supporters poured down Barrack Road towards the statues of Geordie giants Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer that stand at St James’ Park.
Many people heading into the city’s chaos were not around when Newcastle last had success, and those who were would have needed to dig far and wide into their memory banks to remember it.
The FA Cup was Newcastle United’s final domestic trophy in 1955, and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, which was formerly known as the Uefa Cup and is now the Europa League, was the club’s final significant prize in 1969.
Eddie Howe and his Newcastle team now have the chance to put an end to the stale years after defeating Arsenal 4-0 over two legs to guarantee a spot in the Carabao Cup final on March 16 against either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.
And what a night it was on Tyneside, with Newcastle’s fans coming to Wembley again feeling elated and emotional after beginning the game in a condition of gut-wrenching tension.
In preparation for yet another spectacular event, they performed their whole song sheet, which included “The Blaydon Races,” “Hey Jude” by the Beatles, and a Wembley-themed rendition of Doris Day’s “Que Sera, Sera.”
Newcastle will now try to tell a different story from the history of Wembley’s failure, which has seen them lose five finals since Manchester City was defeated 3-1 in the 1955 FA Cup final. The noise reverberated late into the night.
This goes beyond just making up for the loss to Manchester United in the same competition’s final two years ago at Wembley. This concerns redemption for those who were outsiders for 56 years while the major treasures were being gathered elsewhere.
Howe and his team will become immortals if Newcastle United wins the Carabao Cup. Ignore the reality that some priorities may not include this competition. For this city and this football team, it is everything.
All of this was made clear in the hours before the game as the Toon Army headed to the classic drinking establishments in St. James’ Park, including The Strawberry and the bar that bears the name of the renowned Shearer.
You could sense the combination of anticipation and expectation rather than just see and hear it.
Forget about the 2-0 lead at Arsenal in the first leg. Due to Arsenal’s 5-1 thumping of Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday and Newcastle’s two poor home losses to Bournemouth and Fulham, there was real worry in the air.
A huge flag with the words “Get Into Them” was unfurled across The Gallowgate End amid a pregame commotion so loud you could not hear yourself think.
Easy. Straight to the point.
And Newcastle complied with their trademark turbocharged start when they’re playing well.
The only worry of the fervent home fans was that they might exhaust themselves.
But as the guy who plagued Arsenal in the first leg stepped up in part two, all the concerns vanished into the chilly Tyneside night air.
Before Alexander Isak managed to avoid the notice of William Saliba, a defender for Arsenal, he had already had one clear attempt disallowed for a slight offside. Jacob Murphy was there to drive in the rebound after his shot hit the goal’s frame.
At that point, Arsenal was over, and Newcastle was essentially back at Wembley to try to end a pointless run that had lasted for 56 years.
After 52 minutes, Fabian Schar stalked Declan Rice, and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya mysteriously played him into trouble. The ball ended at the feet of Anthony Gordon for a straightforward finish, ensuring Newcastle’s supporters could begin a celebration that lasted for the majority of the second half.
Bruno Guimaraes scooped up a black and white scarf that had been thrown onto the side of the field and held it above his head as St. James’ Park went wild. Gordon, the goal scorer, then grabbed another scarf and swung it around his head in ecstasy, imitating the cheering supporters.
Following their first-leg loss, Newcastle’s supporters reserved a special spot for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta amidst all the throat-clearing during Wembley’s practice. Arteta had complained about the ball being used in the Carabao Cup.
“Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball” was included in the victory music as Newcastle’s players and staff performed a lap of honor, including the typically subdued Howe, who pumped his fist in celebration towards The Leazes End.
However, the manager who has restored faith among Newcastle supporters deserves the last word.
“It is huge to get back to Wembley,” Howe remarked. The initial presence was a little surprising, but it’s not surprising because we need to be there frequently to be the club we want to be.
“We are there on merit, our run has not been easy this year, we’ve faced four Premier League teams, so we have done the hard yards.”Hopefully, we can grow from the previous experience and perform better.
Howe will become a Geordie legend if he learns and ends the 56 years he has been without success.
