Newcastle United have a chance to make history in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
Fans have been waiting decades for Newcastle United to win a trophy – they could give them exactly what they desire in March after the Magpies beat Arsenal at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
Toon boss Eddie Howe can take a lot of credit for the win. Howe’s tactical change stunned Mikel Arteta whose side was chasing a two-goal deficit from the start.
Jacob Murphy made no mistake when he got on the end of Alexander Isak’s missed effort shortly after it looked like Arsenal were going to take the lead through Martin Odegaard.
Despite being sidelined, Joelinton wore a retro Newcastle shirt with Alan Shearer’s name and number on the back.
Newcastle legend Shearer called Bruno Guimaraes ‘brilliant’ on social media following the win – Newcastle’s record scorer was in top form online all night.
With another Carabao Cup final in the bag, Guimaraes dedicated the performance to a Newcastle legend who could not make the game due to other circumstances.
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Bruno Guimaraes dedicates Newcastle win to Rob Lee
Former Newcastle midfielder Rob Lee would have loved to have been at the game on Wednesday night but had to miss it after having knee surgery on Wednesday morning.
Despite missing the game, Newcastle still made sure to get the club legend involved in celebrations.
Lee posted his successful surgery on X saying: “New knee today and now ready for a toon win tonight.”
Newcastle delivered the goods for him – after the game, Guimaraes replied to his message saying: “Job done for you legend!! Get well.”
Lee, who was inducted into Newcastle’s Hall of Fame in 2019, has been vocal in recent months about Newcastle’s form but can take a lot of pride out of their performance on Wednesday night.
Lee called for Sean Longstaff to play ahead of Sandro Tonali before Howe made a tactical switch which moved the Italian into a deeper midfield role.
Newcastle’s midfield were simply faultless against Arsenal, any thought that there would be a hangover from the defeat to Fulham a few days prior was quickly forgotten about.
Guimaraes must now make history at Newcastle
While it was one of his best-ever performances since signing for Newcastle in 2021, Guimaraes now knows the task at hand in March.
Newcastle’s trophy cabinet has been crying out for fresh silverware – it has been 56 years since the Fairs Cup win and 70 years since Newcastle’s last domestic trophy.
Guimaraes has a chance to make history and become the first Newcastle captain to lift a domestic trophy since 1955. In the meantime, Newcastle have an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Birmingham City to prepare for.
It is equally important that Newcastle maintain good form in the games leading up to the Carabao Cup final – in 2023, Newcastle did the complete opposite and it ultimately cost them on the day at Wembley.
Newcastle now have five incredibly important games before the final which they must manage effectively.
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