Newcastle's goal heroes turn back the clock as…

Newcastle's goal heroes turn back the clock as Manchester United sent packing

Come on, I am convinced that Eddie Howe dived into Newcastle United's video library during the half-time interval to remind his two eventual heroes what it was like yesterday when life was a pure joy.

Newcastle had paralysed their League Cup final spoilers Manchester United without being able to put them to the sword so drastic action was required. Cue a timely memory jogger of what can be!

Joe Willock had missed two gilt-edged opportunities striking David de Gea as he was lying on the ground with the goal gaping and then blazing over a sitter from a terrific Allan Saint-Maximin square pass. Time to sit down Genial Joe and rewind his memory taking him back to when he first arrived and sensationally equalled the goalscoring record of a legend Alan Shearer by netting in seven successive Premier League matches.

And while Howe was at it why not remind Callum Wilson, who had failed to score since February and whose form had dipped alarmingly, that only a few months ago he was an England participant in the World Cup finals. The outcome? Both scored and Newcastle deservedly won the battle of the Uniteds to restore full faith within a Geordie nation that is living the dream. Champions League football? We are used to relentless relegation grinds for goodness sake!

The breakthrough goal was a classic straight off the tactics board. With no fewer than three subs waiting on the touchline to attempt to change things Alexander Isak produced a delicious ball to play in Bruno whose deep cross was met by Allan Saint-Maximin - yes, with his head - and Willock bent to nod unerringly past a keeper who had kept Man U in it.

Time to close down the game and time waste as Erik ten Hag had tried to accuse Newcastle of pre-match? Not on yer life mate. Wilson, on for the man who has successfully taken over from him, met a set piece ball to produce a classic centre-forward's header and it was game over. Time to celebrate against an opposition that has sickened us all down the years but not this time.

While goals win matches and therefore claim the headlines United won so many personal battles. The defence reverted to keeping a clean sheet, something they had not achieved in their last eight league and cup matches. The midfield trio of Bruno, Sean Longstaff and Willock imposed themselves on Man U leaving their Bruno, Fernandes, doing what he does best. Whinging. Hardly the example ours is.

And up top where Newcastle had failed to score against the Red Devils in two games this season they enjoyed home comforts and gave them a good spanking. This was the best of Newcastle and let us trumpet what they are good at...no, not good, great. No one has lost fewer games, three from 27, and no team has conceded less, a mere 19.

Come on, this season has gone on long enough for those two stats to be set in stone not a passing whim. What is more, Newcastle are scoring goals again so we walk towards three successive away matches with a ramrod straight back, head held high, and confidence soaring through the being of every single player.

While we delight at Newcastle's super victory let us spare a thought and rejoice at my second club Gateshead fighting through to Wembley in the FA Trophy with a nail biting penalty shoot-out victory over Barnet.

It was a real 'Made In Newcastle' moment too for us to relish - manager Mike Williamson was once a first team regular at SJP while all three goalscorers in normal time (Adam Campbell, Louis Storey and Greg Olley) were at United's academy. It means a unique situation of two Tyneside clubs a couple of miles apart who both play in black and white appearing in a Wembley cup final in the same season.

Newcastle's goal heroes turn back the clock as Manchester United sent packing

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