Newcastle United have defended the League Cup longer than Crystal Palace have defended the FA Cup. Their ends are about 20 miles apart but in different worlds: one in Manchester City, the other in Macclesfield. One cup defeat was predictable, the other was one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history. However, if the winners of this year’s two domestic cup competitions are different, then the former pair yes Different winners.
The historic significance of Newcastle’s victory – the first major trophy since 1969 and the first in domestic football since 1955 – raises questions about whether it is a stepping stone. New chief executive David Hopkinson has spoken of ambitions to become the world’s top club by 2030.
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Newcastle United begins fighting on four fronts in February 2026. They have withdrawn from the Carabao Cup. Due to the FA Cup away game against Aston Villa, they may be eliminated in 10 days. Even if there is a chance of promotion, the Champions League trip to Qarabagh will make them a tough journey. Two legs against the Azerbaijani club sandwich their next trip to the Etihad Stadium, where the aggregate scoreline in their last 12 games is 40-2. Faint hopes of a quick return to the Champions League could be dashed for a team already in the bottom half of the table.
Alexander Isaac’s departure has had a snowball effect, leaving Eddie Howe under pressure (Getty)
All of which can lead to a failed season. One wonders whether the Eddie Howe Project has accomplished its mission. Perhaps he was at the end of his rope as Newcastle struggled on the journey.
There is a theory that Howe will have an easy time, although vocal support from Etihad fans on Wednesday suggested he could still command the support of voters. Howe’s achievements, whether it was qualifying for the Champions League twice or doing what Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan were unable to do (ask Newcastle to finally open their trophy cabinet), warrant his importance and should be given more leeway.
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His employers also received support from the public just hours before kick-off. “Eddie was our manager and he was a phenomenal manager,” Hopkinson said. “We just spoke about how envious other clubs and national teams are of him.”
Howe is starting to come under pressure at Newcastle (Mike Egerton/PA)
It’s an oversimplification, but if Newcastle’s problems can be traced back to one person, it’s Alexander Isak, not Howe. If the striker can be a convenient scapegoat, Newcastle are struggling to recover from his departure, the timing of his departure and a poor replacement.
They got off to a slow start to the season when he struck and have been playing catch-up ever since. Newcastle’s defiant attempt, which earned them another £15m, backfired. In hindsight, they should have sold at or shortly after Liverpool’s £110m bid, rather than on deadline day.
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It may be indicative of Newcastle’s position in the pecking order that a string of other forwards have turned them down, and that at least some of the forwards – Liam Delap and Benjamin Sesco – might be better off going to St James’ Park. Instead, Issac’s fee was swallowed up by the panic-prices of Nick Waltermade and Eoin Wiesa. It may not be easy to sell it for more than half the price now.
Isaac’s poor Newcastle exit left lasting damage (John Walton/PA Wire)
With a pair of expensive forwards, Howe believes recent results reflect missed opportunities. Of course, Isaac can also be clinical. Newcastle United have only recorded three away wins in all competitions this season. He scored 12 goals on the road last year, including a famous goal at neutral ground at Wembley. His pace made Newcastle lethal on the break. Walter Mader lacks that quality and Newcastle look increasingly confused as to how to play with the unique German.
Howe may be confused by a difficult problem. Newcastle is not the only city experiencing complications from summer spending. It is worth noting, however, that at the time they were operating without a sporting director. They have spent £256m and so far have only managed to sign Malick Thiaw. Visa, Walter Mader, Aaron Ramsdale, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga are not all losers, but whether they are among the strongest is a moot point.
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However, Howe’s previous impressive transfer record should give cause for optimism. Just as importantly, some like Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali didn’t come into immediate focus; but each became indispensable.
Sandro Tonali took a while to settle in Newcastle (AFP via Getty)
The Italian agent appears to have begun an Isaac-esque process to free Tonali from Tyneside, which may frustrate Newcastle and show they are still not the biggest attraction, but also shows that no matter who is in charge, some issues remain.
One of the reasons Howe spent so many years at Bournemouth and Newcastle was that he was one of a select group of managers who could be trusted to help run the team responsibly and chart a path out of difficult times.
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Now, Newcastle are overwhelmed by injuries, with Gordon hurting his hamstring on Wednesday and others overworked, and with an ever-increasing schedule that sees four of Newcastle’s next five games away from home, things threaten to get worse before they get better. But the lesson from Howe’s career and his time on Tyneside is that things can get better.
