Nick Pope was still encouraging his team-mates at half-time despite being hurled into a world of turmoil following his red card against Liverpool.
The straight red card meant he was out of the final against Manchester United at Wembley and Newcastle must decide on a replacement for the capital showpiece. Pope had the full support of his team-mates after the game with the keeper one of the stars of the season.
Yet his own situation was put to one side as 10-men Newcastle went in search of goals after falling 2-0 down. Pope made a beeline to Martin Dubravka, who replaced him, and other players at half-time but that was a measure of the man who has helped Newcastle into Champions League contention this term.
The big plus for Newcastle on the injury front
Joe Willock missed the game against Liverpool as a precaution following a hamstring injury suffered against AFC Bournemouth. A scan had delivered good news early last week and he was an interested spectator against the Reds.
Willock will get every chance to prove himself this week in training but the signs look good for the ex-Arsenal midfielder and there is confidence he can shake off his muscle injury behind the scenes. However, spare a thought for Elliot Anderson who was handed a Wembley audition but his night was ended after just 22 minutes in a tactical change to bring on Martin Dubravka.
The chances are that Willock will team up with the now free again Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff in the middle at Wembley. Willock's energy in the midfield area will be deemed a major plus ahead of the big day.
The only positive?
If there was a positive in defeat for Newcastle it was that this defeat came ahead of the final and despite also losing to Sheff Wed earlier this year, they got a loss against a big side out of their system before final day.
Newcastle's form in 2023 so far has been mixed with draws scattered across the fixture list. But the defeat may well focus minds against the Red Devils.
There is also the fact that Man United have a high-octane fixture against Barcelona in the week at Old Trafford in the Europa League. All is not lost for Newcastle, far from it.
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