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 City Council leader, Councillor Karen Kilgour has nominated Howe for the Council’s highest honour following Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win over Liverpool on Sunday. It would be the second time Howe has been bestowed with Honourary Freeman status by a local council for contributions to football after being given the Freedom of the Borough of Bournemouth in 2019.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe challenged his players to win more silverware after making themselves "legends" by ending the club's 56-year trophy drought with a 2-1 Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool.