Title looks a long-term black-and-white target

NEWCASTLE United's name will appear on the 2024/25 domestic roll of honour for the first time in 70 years this season.

- By LEE RYDER

After being crowned Carabao Cup winners with a 2-1 win over Liverpool, the Reds were confirmed as English champions on Sunday with a thumping 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

Inevitably, the chatter on social media was about comparisons of supporters celebrating the title on Merseyside just weeks after 300,000 fans filed through the city centre and Town Moor to see Eddie Howe's side lift a piece of silverware.

Is the next step for Newcastle to put together a side that can challenge for the title for the first time since the 2002/03 season? Or is there a period in between the Magpies winning one of the domestic cups and the big one in English football?

Given that Newcastle are currently 20 points behind the leaders it does feel like a longer-term plan for a title push feels appropriate. Of course, United managed to get one over Arne Slot's side at Wembley and in the space of the League Cup final were easily the better side.

And Howe's side also gave Liverpool a run for their money during an enthralling 3-3 draw at St James' Park earlier in the campaign.