Newcastle United's dream of ending their 56-year trophy drought moved one step closer to reality as they secured a commanding 4-0 aggregate victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semifinals, setting up a date with destiny at Wembley on March 16.
The electric atmosphere at St James' Park reached fever pitch as Newcastle fans, many too young to remember their last domestic trophy - the 1955 FA Cup - witnessed their team dominate Arsenal in a clinical 2-0 win. The victory puts them in position to claim their first major silverware since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, now known as the Europa League.
The evening began with palpable tension among the Toon Army, who had gathered at traditional pre-match venues like The Strawberry and the Alan Shearer bar. Recent home defeats to Bournemouth and Fulham, combined with Arsenal's impressive 5-1 victory over Manchester City, had created an air of anxiety despite Newcastle's 2-0 first-leg advantage.
A massive flag unfurled across The Gallowgate End reading "Get Into Them" set the tone for what would become an unforgettable night. Alexander Isak, who had tormented Arsenal in the first leg, continued his impressive form, though his early strike was ruled offside. However, the breakthrough came when Isak's shot hit the woodwork, allowing Jacob Murphy to convert the rebound.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 52nd minute when Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya's error under pressure from Fabian Schar led to Anthony Gordon's simple finish, effectively sealing Newcastle's passage to Wembley. The celebration that followed saw Bruno Guimaraes and Gordon embracing the moment with the fans, swirling black and white scarves above their heads in jubilation.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer captured the performance perfectly on X, stating: "That was a proper performance man. Arsenal couldn't live with the intensity. Better than them tonight in every position."
The victory marks another milestone in Eddie Howe's remarkable tenure since taking over in November 2021, when the club was languishing in 19th place. Howe, who typically maintains a reserved demeanor, even joined in the celebrations, fist-pumping towards The Leazes End.
"It is huge to get back to Wembley," Howe reflected. "The first appearance there was a bit unexpected, but with the club we want to be, we have to be there regularly, so it's not a surprise. We are there on merit, our run has not been easy this year, we've faced four Premier League teams, so we have done the hard yards."
The night also featured some playful jabs at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, whose post-first-leg complaints about the match ball became a source of amusement for Newcastle fans, who chanted "Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball" throughout the evening. The club's social media team joined in, posting an image of the ball labeled "the culprit."
As Newcastle prepare for their Wembley showdown against either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, Bruno Guimaraes expressed the team's ambitious outlook: "Play like that and we can dream big. It would be amazing to get a trophy, it is my dream to do this."
For Eddie Howe and his players, one more victory would transform them into legendary figures in Newcastle's storied history, potentially ending more than half a century of waiting for major silverware. While the Carabao Cup might not be the most prestigious trophy in English football, its significance to Newcastle United and their passionate supporters cannot be overstated.
