Newcastle show Howe the League Cup is won

ST's weekend football debrief

- David Lee

This past weekend saw Newcastle United lifting their first domestic trophy in 70 years, Nottingham Forest consolidating their Champions League spot, Erling Haaland firing despite Manchester City tripping and under-fire Manchester United players showing a spirited response. Here are four key talking points.

KEY TO MAGPIES' SUCCESS IS NOT ANYHOW, IT'S EDDIE HOWE

There are talks of a new statue next to those of Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer at St James' Park, and it will be very well deserved.

When Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce in November 2021, Newcastle were the only winless EPL team after 11 games and were languishing second from bottom.

Howe steadied the ship and helped the Magpies finish 11th that season, then fourth to qualify for the Champions League in 2023, before earning immortal status with the League Cup win on March 16.

Known to be at his office before sunrise and working on video analysis into late nights, Howe sets the high-intensity standards that could be seen in the way his players pressed and played Liverpool off the park for the full 90 minutes in the League Cup final.

The meticulousness – he worked on their set pieces for two weeks – paid off when Dan Burn headed in from a corner for the opener.

They are now assured of a place in the Conference League playoffs, but can still move into fourth place in the league and be among the Champions League spots if they win their game in hand.