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 legend Alan Shearer revealed exactly what he told Eddie Howe and the Newcastle players before and after their historic Carabao Cup final victory on Sunday

A number of the Carabao Cup-winning squad have taken off on international duty, including England trio Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon, plus Brazilian boys Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. Alexander Isak is away with Sweden and Sandro Tonali with Italy, while Emil Krafth and Martin Dubravka also received call-ups.