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 have confirmed that plans are in place to award Eddie Howe the Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne.

The EFL's chief executive officer, Trevor Birch, said: "The attendance and viewership numbers for Sunday's final demonstrate the continued popularity of the Carabao Cup, and the value the competition holds in the football calendar for supporters up and down the country and across the world.