Peter Crouch has suggested that the Carabao Cup ‘carries more weight now’ after Newcastle United joyously celebrated ending a 70-year wait to win a major domestic trophy.
Goal scorer Dan Burn did not want to go to sleep because he felt like he was dreaming following Newcastle’s 2-1 win against Liverpool at Wembley last month. Captain Bruno Guimaraes wept with pride after his side ‘made history’. Even a powerhouse like Joelinton shed a few tears – just as so many Geordies did in the stands
There were also some emotional scenes on Tyneside a couple of weeks later after an estimated 300,000 Newcastle fans took to the streets and the Town Moor to mark the achievement. A visibly moved Eddie Howe described the turnout as ‘absolutely mind-blowing’.
To think Jamie O’Hara bizarrely hit out at Newcastle for ‘acting like they won the Premier League and Champions League’. However, the former Spurs midfielder was very much in the minority. In fact, Peter Crouch could not have disagreed with O’Hara more after his ex-team-mate described the scenes as ’embarrassing’.
“I loved it,” Crouch said. “There was a bit of grief, people piping up saying, ‘It’s the Carabao Cup’. Great scenes. It just gives the competition more value.
“If you’re a team like Spurs, [Aston] Villa, [Crystal] Palace, who haven’t won anything in a number of years, look at that. The Carabao Cup carries more weight now when you see those scenes.”
Another pundit, Carlton Cole, was also blown away and ‘could not believe’ his eyes when he saw so many Geordies turn out for the parade.
“The fans appreciated it,” he added. “They have actually revived the love for that League Cup. I say kudos to them. Do you know how many people say, ‘Listen, it’s only a League Cup’. Bro, it’s silverware, medals.”
