As the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne woke on Thursday morning, the nerves began for those with a vested interest in all things black and white. Clock-watching supporters, agitated, restless, full of wonder about what would unfold at St James’ Park from 7.30pm onwards, dragged themselves to the Cathedral on the Hill knowing a historic night may just be about to unfold.
Some will tell you they were confident all along, totally unfazed by the prospect of high-flying Brighton - who were also in the hunt for a seat at Europe’s top table. They were probably in the minority.
But supporters were right to be nervous. A defeat last night, that would have made it an uncharacteristic three on the spin without a win for Eddie Howe's men, would have been a hammer blow for the Magpies, handing the initiative to Liverpool in the race for the top four.
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If the players were harbouring any pre-match nerves, they didn’t show it. Bursting out of the traps they dazzled from the off as if it was them, not Brighton, wearing the luminous kit. Intensity is their identity after all, and the opening minutes were a masterclass in pressing with ferocity and confidence.
Everything came together on a night where it really had to. Trippier’s set pieces back to their best, Isak and Wilson delivering together from the outset, Miggy playing like the clock had turned back to late 2022. No wonder Howe, flanked by his close-knit team of coaches, celebrated the fourth and final goal with a skip out of the technical area and a huge grin.
Many Newcastle fans came to the correct realisation on Thursday, publicly admitting that last night was the first of many. The first of many agonising, nail-biting, nerve-inducing matches under the lights that will mean so much. No longer will they be needing a win to jump from 18th to 17th in a bid to beat the drop. They are now playing for a place among Europe’s elite.
Maybe Dan Burn said it best when he was asked if Newcastle’s success was merely a blip, a flash in the pan they wouldn’t be able to replicate to the same degree next term? "We're not in a false position. We've been so consistent this season, and I just hope we can get the job done," he told Sky Sports at full-time.
Howe, as cool and calm as ever, when addressing the media after the 4-1 victory, still refuses to get carried away. One wonders whether he will still keep his cool exterior when Newcastle eventually get over the line this weekend, on Monday or on the last day of the season in the capital.
"I take great pride in the performance tonight. I'll go back home, watch the game and I'll be, I hope, really proud of what I see, really enthused by the players delivering a brilliant product to watch for our supporters," Howe said at full-time.
"The excitement stuff doesn't really exist in this job because you know there's just another game and another challenge and it won't stop even if we hit our goal. There'll just be another challenge and it will hit us in the face next season."
Howe may not be getting excited - but supporters are. For good reason. The Magpies are on the cusp of something special, years ahead of schedule. The only downside to that is the fact it means more days and nights where blood pressure goes up a notch and nerves are left jangling.
Newcastle experienced that feeling for the first time in many a year on Thursday. They passed the test with flying colours.
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