Exclusive: Newcastle’s Long Wait Is Over and More Silverware Will Follow, says Former Defender

Former Newcastle United star Warren Barton has championed the Magpies to go from strength to strength after ending 70 years of hurt.

The Toon Army celebrated in style after Eddie Howe’s triumphant side beat Premier League leaders Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday to secure their first major domestic silverware since 1955.

And Barton is willing Howe and his ambitious charges to target more success now they are cruising on the crest of a wave after their memorable success in the capital.

“I don’t want to get greedy and too carried away, but I think this might be the start of many more trophies,” said Barton, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“It has to start sometime. José Mourinho did it at Chelsea, Pep Guardiola did it at Man City – and clubs then go on a roll."

“The new ownership group were at the game, they must have seen the fans, locked their lips and thought, wow." 

“They might be thinking, ‘we’ve only invested x amount, but if invest x amount more – and keep doing things the right way – then we can go and compete with the best teams’. That’s all we’ve ever wanted."

“Great credit to Eddie, I want to personally congratulate him because I think he’s been a great role model to everybody at the club."

“He’s taken on board what it is to manage the club – and him and his coaching staff have been great, even when they had a bit of wobble a couple of times during their time at the club."

“They’ve managed to stay level-headed. I’m so pleased for him."

“I was lucky enough to meet him in Philadelphia when Newcastle were over, he’s a top guy and he deserves all the success that comes his way."

“And so do the players, they were phenomenal. The front three bossed it and we overran Liverpool, who are very strong at the back."

Goals from homegrown hero Dan Burn and leading scorer Alexander Isak did the damage as the Magpies dazzled in front of an army of black and white in the capital.

“I was at the match with my brother, who lives in Newcastle, and Alan Shearer and Bobby Moncur,” reflected a delighted Barton, who enjoyed a distinguished seven-year career in the Premier League with the club.

“Bobby had a tear in his eye and Alan was jumping up and down, it was just a special day."

“I didn’t even have a hangover to be honest because I wanted to savour the moment."

“But I’m sure they’ll still be a few hangovers in the North East now, especially with it having been St Patrick’s Day on Monday – and why not!"

“It was a brilliant weekend for everyone, one which is going to live long in the memory.”

Barton played in two FA Cup finals for Newcastle, first against Arsenal in the 1997-98 season and against Manchester United the following season.

Unfortunately the Magpies lost both games at Wembley - as well as having been beaten in the Carabao Cp final by Man Utd two seasons ago.

FOURTH TIME LUCKY

“I thought Newcastle thoroughly deserved to win it [against Liverpool],” added Barton. 

“All the cup finals I played in, we just didn’t turn up against Manchester United or Arsenal."

“But Eddie got his tactics spot on. We were aggressive and we could have quite easily been 3-0 up."

“Tuesday night (getting eliminated from the Champions League) probably affected Liverpool but, by and large, we smothered them. We were winning every second ball and every tackle."

“We played really, really well. We showed what quality we have."

“It was a fairytale when the big man [Dan Burns] scores. He gets selected for England and then he scores at Wembley."

“I think 2-1 flattered them, it really did. In the end they ran out of ideas and the top team in the country were smashing it 50 yards up to [Virgil] van Dijk, who was trying to head it down."

“Everyone needed to do a really good job – and they did that from the keeper to the subs coming on at the end."

“I’m so pleased for the city and the fans, because we’ve been waiting a long, long time for that.”