Of course, it is impossible to completely escape a city’s feelings and expectations, especially when the club’s all-time leading scorer, Alan Shearer, texts the club captain, Bruno Guimaraes, on the eve of the game. His message was not one spewing emotion, but a clinical instruction: “Bring that trophy back.”

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been nominated for the Freedom of the City of Newcastle after winning the club's first domestic trophy in 70 years.

For some Newcastle fans, Sunday's historic Wembley triumph over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final was bittersweet because of the club's controversial ownership by Saudi Arabia’s PIF