MAG-NIFICENT

After 56 years of hurt, Newcastle end trophy drought on a day that will go down in Toon legend

- BY JOHN CROSS Chief Football Writer

THEY will have to build a statue of Eddie Howe outside St James' Park.

After a 56-year wait, Newcastle finally won a major trophy with a glorious, unforgettable and heroic victory at Wembley.

The Toon Army turned the stadium black and white as they rolled back the years and twirled their scarves in delight to toast a performance which deserves to go down in legend.

We always knew they would enjoy the moment when it even-tually came and Newcastle last night looked as if they are ready for the biggest and longest party ever seen on Tyneside.

Howe did what Sir Bobby Robson, Ruud Gullit and Kevin Keegan were not able to do as he guided this wonderful, passionate club to silverware.

The victory was littered with great stories.

Dan Burn, the Blyth-born life-long Newcastle fan, scored the opener just two days after getting an England call-up.

Alexander Isak got the second as he terrorised Liverpool again.

There were so many big performances as Newcastle just had too much energy, strength and determination for Liver pool, who looked as if finally their season had caught up with them. But one player in black and white really stood out.