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Lee Ryder

Newcastle United notes: Wembley ticket scramble, Hollywood A-lister watches win and Trippier advice

Eddie Howe guided Newcastle United to their first League Cup final since 1976 with a stunning 3-1 aggregate win over Southampton in the semi-finals.

Not since the year 2000 have Geordie fans walked up Wembley Way when a 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup semi-finals left them deflated. This time there is a genuine feel of optimism that things can be better.

This team feels good enough to win it - even against a decent enough Manchester United team and even with the long trophy drought since 1969 still ongoing. If Howe does manage it he can expect a statue in the city after so many managers tried and failed to deliver success.

Here's the latest batch of notes from things noticed during an emotionally charged night.

READ MORE: Newcastle revamp their scouting network as Ashworth masterplan takes shape

The Hollywood script for Amanda Staveley's guest

Fans had to do a double take as club supremo Amanda Staveley took her seat alongside Hollywood A-lister Idris Elba. A star of Fast and Furious, Thor and The Jungle Book, Elba soaked up the scenes as the Magpies flew into a stunning 2-0 lead after 21 minutes.

Elba may be an Arsenal fan but it seemed he was a Toon supporter for the evening. And he even ended up in the dressing room as the players celebrated a big win.

Newcastle are going places these days and not only do they have a five star team on the pitch, they are attracting all the big names off it. Elba enjoyed it so much he could not wipe the smile off his face as he made his way back to the executive area after meeting the players.

Wembley ticket scramble starts now

The Magpies are expected to land 32,000 tickets for the big day next month with the EFL already understood to have allocated them the same end as Liverpool last season.

Given Liverpool triumphed against Chelsea in the final showpiece last season that could well be an omen. As the chances of Newcastle getting to the final increased, trains, hotels and flights were quickly snapped up.

The last person to leave Tyneside will have to switch the lights off next month. A huge weekend in the capital lies in prospect.

Sean Longstaff ends St James' Park drought in style

The Academy product grabbed his first goal at St James' Park in four years with a well-taken strike after just five minutes. He had scored at the other end in the 2-1 friendly win over Rayo Vallecano at the end of last year.

But this meant something more. After the game Longstaff, who netted twice to be come the cup hero, revealed Kieran Trippier's advice had helped him break his duck.

He said: "Tripps told me yesterday about shooting and as soon as I scored he grabbed me and said 'I told you'. "So he thinks it is down to him. I was lucky the ball fell to me for the second. "It's a trip to Wembley so a night I'll never forget."

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