Eddie Howe was ruthlessly told he could still be sacked by Newcastle United despite winning the Carabao Cup. Howe guided Newcastle to their first piece of silverware in 70 years following their 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

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. But his message was not one spewing emotion, but a clinical instruction: “Bring that trophy back.”