NUFC season review
European away days, a Wear-Tyne derby and penalties heartbreak, Newcastle have had their fair share of ups and downs this season.
How did the Magpies handle it all? We look back on their season that has transpired and see if Eddie Howe’s men met expectations.
At the start of the season, Newcastle would have had their eye on Europe drawing arguably the toughest group in this seasons competition having to play PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
Newcastle ultimately finished bottom of the group to the disappointment of Eddie Howe, but his side were very competitive in the group and will definitely feel hard done by the decision to give PSG a penalty in Paris. Newcastle can be proud of their campaign though as group stage opponents Borussia Dortmund, play Real Madrid on Saturday in the Champions League final.
Turning to the cup competitions, Newcastle would definitely have liked another crack at Wembley falling short against Manchester United but the Magpies cup dreams didn’t play out as planned.
Winning important games along the way such as a first Wear-Tyne derby in nearly a decade and dismantling Manchester United 3-0 away from home wasn’t enough to get past either quarter finals, losing on penalties to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the EFL Cup and bowing out to Manchester City at the Etihad in the FA Cup.
Top four again this season would have been the goal in the Premier League, but for majority of the season that didn’t transpire with Aston Villa taking over Newcastle’s position in fourth leaving Newcastle in their tracks, eight points behind which was only good enough for Europa Conference League football.
Man United beating Premier League winners Man City on Saturday means there will be no European football on Tyneside next season.
Newcastle’s aims for this season would have been competitive in Europe which they were, minimum quarter finals in the cup competitions which was achieved but probably could have got further and European football next season from the league position which was all but achieved for Man United’s heroics at Wembley.
Expectations were probably just short of where they would have placed them this season with improvement definitely needed come next season.
