“We’re not fascinated by the ultimate,” had been the grim insistence from inside Newcastle United all week. There was logic in that.
A win final day out towards West Ham took Newcastle degree on factors with fifth-placed Manchester Metropolis, however a loss would have left them ninth — the distinction between a Champions League marketing campaign and possibly no European soccer in any respect.
The Carabao Cup last was a dense actuality which hung over Newcastle’s 1-0 at West Ham United like east London smog, a sport outlined by what it was not.
With Anthony Gordon suspended, Lewis Corridor injured, and a battle for the beginning goalkeeper shirt, the Newcastle head coach had three main choices to make.
Nick Pope retained his place in objective, Tino Livramento converted to left-back to accommodate Kieran Trippier on the opposite flank, and Harvey Barnes began forward of Joe Willock on the left wing.
If this wasn’t the Wembley staff set in stone, this was at the least the Wembley staff doodled into fogged-up glass. It went properly, with Newcastle successful and recording a clear sheet.
Will Eddie Howe dare to change that successful staff at present?
