By no means was it pretty, but Toon boss Eddie Howe will surely be delighted with the way his team played to bring all three points back to Tyneside.
Newcastle United’s 1-0 win against West Ham gives the Magpies all the impetus they need to go to Wembley Stadium and beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
A boost for Howe is that there are no injury concerns for his players following the win against the Hammers, despite the likes of Alexander Isak coming off before the end of the game.
Howe’s emotional response on the touchline was evidence that everyone within the club had been feeling he blows of a rough week which confirmed Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman would all miss the final through suspension and injury respectively.
Harvey Barnes impressed for Newcastle in his first start since returning from injury in February. The 27-year-old bagged the assist for Bruno Guimaraes’ tap-in which proved to be enough to move the Magpies up to sixth in the Premier League table.
With Newcastle set to return to the capital later this week for the final, Guimaraes has shared how the team have been feeling about the game at Wembley.
Bruno Guimaraes reveals Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final distraction
Guimaraes chanted along with the travelling Newcastle fans at full time, he and his teammates will surely be beaming with confidence ahead of the final after that win.
It wasn’t an easy game by any means, with West Ham coming close to scoring on multiple occasions. Howe’s side were able to hold on after the goal to keep their first Premier League clean sheet since January 15.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Guimaraes was asked about the cup final and if it has been a distraction for them in the last few weeks.
“I been a little bit (of a distraction) to be honest with you.
“Of course we think about the final, it’s massive for the club’s history. We want to be part of it and make that history.
“We are going to play against one of the best teams in the world but I have confidence in us and I’m hopeful we can go to Wembley and lift the trophy.”
The distraction was something Howe had warned his players against in February, when there were suggestions that his players had on eye on Wembley before the games leading up to the final had been played.
“If [having one eye on the final] is the case, we’re in trouble,” Howe said. “Because our Premier League season will be over really by the time that final comes around, it can’t be the focus.” (Shields Gazette)
Newcastle’s long wait for a trophy could soon be over
Fans will love how much of a gritty win that was for Newcastle. A performance like that is just what you need ahead of a cup final.
Newcastle can now sit back and keep a close eye on Liverpool’s game against PSG on Tuesday night, with the hope that it’s a game that takes a lot out of Arne Slot’s players.
Despite the grittiness of the game, the pace of it meant that Newcastle barely needed to get out of second gear throughout. West Ham’s defensive setup allowed the Magpies more freedom to play with the ball and to take the game at their own pace.
Howe was also able to experiment with his left-hand side towards the end of the game, with Joe Willock coming on and playing on the left wing.
Newcastle haven’t won a domestic trophy since 1955, but if they can put in another performance like that then fans could soon see their team lifting the trophy they have waited so long for.
