Exactly the above.![]()
one of the greatest performances we've ever seen by a Newcastle team?
I think it was.
Granted, there are various mitigating factors from a Liverpool perspective...BUT
Don't let the narrow scoreline fool anyone: we absolutely battered Liverppol-the best team in the country and one of the best in Europe. 3 or 4 nil wouldn't have flattered us and they were lucky to get one.
Every single player in black and white played their part and gave everyrthing they had. And, given the importance of the game, the weight of history? For our players to turn up the way they did-and for Eddie towin the tactical battle against a manager who's going to walk the League in his first season?
Aye, given the context, there are very few games that beat this one. If any.
Exactly the above.![]()
Is it the greatest performance??
Well, if you'd permit me to modify the question slightly. "Is it the greatest performance in a final?"
- Yes, most finals are absolutely dower miserable performances. This was a master class in tactics and in game management from Howe and the team.
To a man the NUFC 11 won all their individual battles. They beat their opponent in every position. The league leading goal scorer didn't get a kick, zero chances created, zero shots on or off target. Set piece routines drilled and executed to perfection. Midfield dominance.
I think it's the best final I've seen in the last 10-15 yrs.
Greatest Performances not in a final.
The classics.
Howay 5-0. Barca 3-2 naturally. I'm sure some of our more seasoned members on the board will harp back to memorable Super Mac matches before my time fair play to the lineage and heritage gents I salute your longevity and potency.
In recent times / Post takeover
Home v PSG
Absolutely humiliated the French took them apart and showed the world who NUFC are. That was the day we arrived.
Away v PSG
same 11 had played 14 game in a road (embellishment on the number of games) and put in one of the best defensive, tactical performance I've seen against a rampant PSG team. 180 mins Newcastle united didn't concede a single goal to M'Bappe or the rest of their ?500m team.
Home v Spurs
when the boys actually retired Hugo Lloris has to go down as the most dominant and arguably greatest performance. 21 mins of the most ruthless attacking football I've seen live.
Away v Sheffield United
Lower quality opposition but a near prefect performance.
In terms of entertainment I?d add the 3-3 against Liverpool earlier this season, brilliant game to watch? not the complete performance as we leaked the goals, but end to end stuff? and also both 4-3?s against Liverpool? even though they contributed to us not picking up the title in 95/96 they were classic games.
I've seen them play better.
However, given the stature of the game, the pressure and our track record of finals, the opponents who are top of the league and almost invincible this season, our abysmal record against them then I've got to say yes, it was the greatest.
The Chiesa goal made me worried for a minute and the 2-1 flattered them. It could easily have been 4/5 nil if we had played the perfect game.
So yes again. It was.
Well, most of my neighbours around here, support Palace or other London clubs along with one Citeh fan and one from Liverpool and they all without exception, including the one from Liverpool agreed that it was the best final in years to watch, with a totally well deserved win.
I think we?ve seen more complete performances.
But for me, the magnitude of this match, what it means to the club and the fans? let?s be honest, it has been 70 years since our last domestic trophy.
Wembley has been barren hunting grounds for us? and it?s not like we?ve even deserved a win there since.
We?ve never turned up, bottled it every time and let the occasion get to us.
This time, we made Liverpool look like the novices, look like a team that was overawed by the occasion as if they never believed they should be there themselves.
We beat the top 4 teams of the Premier League this season to win that trophy? if anybody deserves it, it?s Newcastle United.
We didn?t have an easy run to the final, we got there and knew what we had to do, all credit to Howe for grounding the players and making sure that the occasion didn?t suffocate them.
All being said? That was for me the greatest performance I have seen us.