Newcastle ending their trophy drought is an opportunity for more sports washing, but let the fans revel in the glory

The Toon Army celebrate their first trophy in 55 years. Credit: BBC

Newcastle were supposed to be the new challengers to Fergie’s United, until Arsène Wenger came ashore and secured Arsenal the double in 1998, beating the Magpies in that year’s FA Cup Final. A year later, they spurned their second chance as United marched towards this treble.

This Newcastle side wouldn’t let their second chance slip. Missing out to United in the Carabao Cup two years ago fuelled a dominant display over Liverpool, that will give the Reds, who exited Europe last week, a month to forget.

When Alexander Isak doubled Newcastle’s lead, the introduction of Federico Chiesa caused jitters in the closing stages, but in truth, the battle had long been won as Liverpool struggled to take control of the final and couldn’t beat Newcastle at their own game.

Dan Burn had earlier broken the deadlock; rising high somewhere around Wembley Stadium train station, rose to meet a Kieran Trippier corner and nod Newcastle in front.

It’s hard not to be happy for any Newcastle fan. They’ve plenty to celebrate after 55 years of waiting. It’s rumoured the corner of Alan Shearer’s mouth raised ever so slightly, a rare showing of happiness from the prodigal son.

Most commentary over the win can’t help itself from citing how Saudi Arabia will mobilise the victory as another PR exercise for their regime.

They will and by all means keep calling it out. But let’s, in isolation, recognise the quality of the performance and jubilation of the fans. They’ve waited long enough.

This was a game Mo Salah had no shots in and one touch in the box. That simply doesn’t happen.

Newcastle’s game plan was years in the making, and Eddie Howe deserves huge recognition for his stewardship of the team.

Contrast for a moment their progress with Manchester City’s, who laid the foundations for their dominance of English football across the last ten years or so when almost no one was looking. Yes, there was noise about financial disparity in the league when Abu Dhabi took over, but it took a few years for the Premier League and UEFA to react.

First City cannibalised the Premier League as they made their ascent towards a first title, and from there they dominated and finally conquered Europe in 2023.

Eddie Howe has been forced to build more patiently, and deserves even more credit than he’s getting.

It will be Bruno Guimarães, Burn, and Isak that etch their names into the Newcastle history books, and all credit to them. Not Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, or Eden Hazard. Those were some of the names linked with moves to North East England following the Saudi Arabian PIF takeover.

So where to next for Newcastle? It’s hard to see them lifting off in the same way City, despite having more financial muscle, simply due to more restrictive financial regulations. But surely it won’t be another 25,000 odd days until Howe hoists another piece of silverware into the spring sky. For now; howay the lads.