Sean Longstaff feels his decisive double in firing Newcastle United to the Carabao Cup final served as a '**** you' to critics who had written him off. The Magpies academy graduate netted twice in the first-half of the second leg win over Southampton which booked their place in a domestic cup final at Wembley for the first time in 24 years.
Joelinton's strike in the reverse fixture had given Eddie Howe's side a narrow advantage headed into the decisive contest, but Longstaff quelled pre-match nerves with two goals in front of the Gallowgate End. Che Adams quickly pulled one back with a fine strike from distance, but Newcastle ultimately eased through to the final despite a late red card for Bruno Guimaraes.
Longstaff was one of several players who seemingly looked to be on their way out of St James' Park following the takeover, with his contract coming to an end and an initial struggle to get into Howe's starting eleven. However, the 25-year-old signed a new three-year deal and emerged as an integral member of the Magpies' midfield in the latest campaign.
Longstaff has reflected on that 'emotional night' against the Saints, and believes the two goals was a sign he had come 'full circle' and was returning to his best following several difficult seasons. Newcastle's hero on the night also believes it served as the perfect riposte to those who had doubted his future at the club following the takeover.
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He told the club's website: "To be the person who got the goals to get us to Wembley for the first time in 24 years was nice and it's something I'll never forget. But I think that night felt like the culmination of all the down times, when I wasn't really enjoying it - that was the night that I knew I'd come full circle. I was back to being me; a better version of me.
"It was definitely an emotional night, with everything going on before the game and then scoring the goals, and then even in the interview with Burny after I could have burst out crying. I felt as though, personally, all those moments where people have doubted me, said I wasn't good enough, said I wouldn't be here under the new owners - because you do hear it - that was probably the biggest '**** you' to all of them, to see that I'm part of the team, a worthy member of the team. I think that helped me to get rid of all the times that hadn't been as good in the couple of years before."
