For Newcastle United’s final game of the season to mean very little just sums up the brilliance of the task Eddie Howe masterminded since replacing Steve Bruce. Only five Premier League teams picked up more points than the Magpies since his arrival back in November.
Even though the job was already more than done, the focus never waned within the squad and the staff on Tyneside and two big wins brought the curtain down on a memorable season. While a Newcastle victory wasn’t the big talking point at Turf Moor on the day Burnley were relegated, Alan Shearer was keen to make sure it didn’t go totally unnoticed.
After Gary Lineker joked on Match of the Day that they would skate over the news of final-day success for Howe’s side, the United legend wasn’t having any of it. He quickly responded: “No! We have to mention Newcastle.
