Of course, it is impossible to completely escape a city’s feelings and expectations, especially when the club’s all-time leading scorer, Alan Shearer, texts the club captain, Bruno Guimaraes, on the eve of the game. His message was not one spewing emotion, but a clinical instruction: “Bring that trophy back.”

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe challenged his players to win more silverware after making themselves "legends" by ending the club's 56-year trophy drought with a 2-1 Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool.