The final whistle has blown on the 2022/23 season after Newcastle United's season after the visit to Stamford Bridge.
It's a campaign that has resulted in Newcastle reaching their best position since 2003 as well as delivering Champions League football. Eddie Howe's team have done it by producing entertaining football along the way.
But it's a season in which Howe has achieved it by making some huge calls along the way. Here's six crucial decisions made by Howe that helped transform fortunes.
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Giving Kieran Trippier the captain's armband
Eddie Howe was never going to strip Jamaal Lascelles of the captaincy but without Trippier's leadership and experience at the top level, it's hard to see Newcastle getting over the line.
Trippier's contributions and constant cajoling of team-mates have been there for all to see this season but it's moments that go beyond that which proved most crucial. Best summed at the City Ground when Trippier fooled Nottingham Forest's keeper Keylor Navas into thinking he was taking a crucial injury time spot-kick, to relieve a younger team-mate in Alexander Isak of the pressure, the defender's on field know-how in the heat of battler have proved crucial.
His experience of the Champions League next season will again be vital.
Nick Pope's superb first season
Pope has been one of the bargains of the season at just £10million after coming in from Burnley. The 31-year-old made the save that led to Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League against Leicester in the 0-0 draw when he kept out Timothy Castagne at the Leazes End.
There are many other moments and clean sheets you can place in the crucial or decisive category. Dropping Dubravka last summer caused an internal stir as the Slovakia stopper demanded a loan to Man United and got it.
But he ended up returning after a lack of game-time and once emotions settled down even Dubravka accepted Pope's brilliance. Howe's judgement proved to be crucial and Pope's performances and clean sheets speak for themselves.
Eddie Howe's refusal to shy away from expectations on Tyneside
As Newcastle pushed closer to Wembley in the Carabao Cup, Howe wanted the players to know how long the trophy drought at St James' Park had gone on. And so ahead of the quarter-finals and during the sem-final preparations the first thing the squad saw ahead of training was a screen reading: "Newcastle have not won a trophy for 67 years."
Of course, the wait will go on for at least another eight months, but unlike those who came before him, Howe was happy to talk about it. Talk of the Entertainers had also been previously avoided by ex-managers but Howe was happy to invite ex-players to the training ground.
And in terms of attacking tactics, Howe said he was keen "to entertain" which had been another no-no for ex-bosses.
Eddie Howe's ability to work with the squad he inherited
It would have been easy to rip up the current squad list and go for a complete rebuild last summer. But Howe made it clear he wanted to retain the "team spirit and unity" around Benton going into the 2022/23 season.
Observers from further afield have pointed to Newcastle's £250million spend under new owners. However, at a club that previously been in dire need of squad improvements under the previous owner Mike Ashley, the spending has been kept at a sensible limit.
What stands out more is the fact that Howe has reached the top four with the likes of Miguel Almiron, Fabian Schar, Sean Longstaff, Jacob Murphy, Joelinton, Joe Willock and Callum Wilson as genuine star performers.
It was fitting that Longstaff's second leg brace against Southampton took the club to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final. Judging by the vibes from Howe's Press conference, the same clutch of players could be a big part of the Champions League campaign next term.
Not allowing a Carabao Cup final hangover to blow United off course
Few expected the Magpies to reach a major final this season but the road to Wembley proved to be a refreshing experience for success-starved Geordies. As thousands took over Trafalgar Square and Wembley way, you wondered if this could finally be the end of the trophy drought at St James' Park.
But on a day in which Newcastle served up one of their tamest displays of the season against Man United in the final showpiece, and had to do it without star goalie Nick Pope, it just wasn't to be. The story of success this season came off the back of what happened after Wembley.
It was five victories from a possible six that lifted Newcastle to third place in the Premier League and helped cement Champions League football. Crucially late wins over Wolves and Nottingham Forest helped them climb to third from fifth.
And the response from the defeat at Aston Villa, one a day when questions were asked, was nothing short of magnificent with 6-1 and 4-1 wins over Spurs and Everton.
Howe admitted the cup run was a distraction and once the dust had settled he was able to steer the ship back on course for Europe.
Fending off Liverpool's late Champions League bid
The Reds may not have been in a coveted Champions League spot all season but they kept the pressure on until the second last game.
At one stage - after seven wins in a row in April - Liverpool had it down to one point but Newcastle and Howe held their nerve. It will be the come-from-behind win against Southampton, the draw at Leeds, the win against Brighton and crucially that point against Leicester that got Newcastle over the line.
For all the star quality of Klopp and Liverpool, it wasn't enough to dent Newcastle's dreams. Even after losing twice to the Reds, United dug deep and got what they needed, when they needed it most.
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