Newcastle United have just finished the most memorable season in their modern history.
As if ending their 70-year wait for a major domestic honour wasn’t enough, Newcastle United followed up their Carabao Cup victory by qualifying for the Champions League.
It wasn’t pretty but Newcastle got over the line and beat Aston Villa to fifth place in the Premier League table on goal difference. Sunday’s defeat to Everton did not matter as Villa lost to Manchester United in controversial fashion.
It was a brilliant campaign. Eddie Howe’s side ended their Wembley curse and reached the Champions League again all despite the fact no significant signings were made last summer.
Newcastle were dreadful against Everton and even the most ardent supporter would surely admit that Newcastle got lucky in the Champions League race. Still, now it’s secured, it doesn’t really matter.
Even if they hadn’t claimed a top five finish in the Premier League, it would still have been a brilliant season at Newcastle. The Carabao Cup victory will be remembered for generations to come.
Speaking before the dramatic events on Sunday, pundit Roy Keane was asked to sum up Newcastle’s season in one word.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Roy Keane uses one word to describe Newcastle United’s season
Keane and Jamie Redknapp conducted a little feature for Sky Sports Football, which was posted on their Instagram page.
Redknapp asked Keane to sum up each club’s season using just one word, though it was prior to the final fixtures of the campaign.
When it got to Newcastle, Keane was effusive in his praise.
Asked by Redknapp to use one word to describe their season, the former Manchester United captain simply replied: “Fantastic.”
Newcastle United’s best players this season
Such has been the success of the campaign, there have been a number of standout players for the club.
Alexander Isak and Dan Burn have been two of Newcastle’s best players this season, although the likes of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall run them close.
Keane is right, Newcastle have been fantastic. To have achieved what they have following a turbulent summer, and a lack of investment is remarkable. The Champions League is the icing on the cake.
It hasn’t been easy, but Newcastle achieved what they wanted to. Next season is already looking seriously exciting.