Well, that’s it for another year. Newcastle United wrapped up their 2023-24 campaign with a resounding 4-2 win at Brentford - keeping hopes of another European odyssey alive.
Conference League football was on the line and the Magpies fulfilled the task at hand. Anything other than three points, given Manchester United’s victory over Brighton, would have crushed the continental dream.
Eddie Howe’s side must now hope Manchester City beat the Red Devils in the FA Cup final to secure Conference League qualification. The margin between success and failure rests in another club’s hands - hardly ideal but Newcastle would have snapped this opportunity with both hands if offered two months ago.
A roller-coaster campaign has resulted in thrilling highs and crushing lows. But do Newcastle supporters, a fan base who follow a club steeped in chaos, know any different?
Regardless of the Magpies’ European fate, they can look back in fondness at several memorable moments from the season. NewcastleWorld has profiled the five best - agree with the list?
1. Party against PSG
A night now etched into Geordie folklore for eternity. St James’ Park hosted its first Champions League night for two decades - and did not fail to deliver. Newcastle brutally dismantled the Ligue 1 giants 4-1, with global superstar Kylian Mbappe left staring aimlessly at the St James’ Park turf. If DVDs were still in fashion, the club shop would have sold a million copies. The crowning moment of a topsy-turvy season as Newcastle announced their return on the biggest stage. Unfortunately, the Champions League dream was shattered in controversial fashion two months later but this night gave fans an unforgettable experience. | Getty Images
2. Setting the record straight
Drawing Sunderland in the FA Cup evoked memories of Green Street, with fans ringing up distant relatives and former colleagues to announce the first Tyne-Wear derby for eight years. Newcastle, given their bitter rivals’ recent plight, were heavy favourites and the pressure was on. No derby win for almost 13 years and the Saudi-backed takeover made a win essential. Eddie Howe delivered exactly that and Alexander Isak - who bagged a brace - is now serenaded with a special derby-day chant wherever he goes in the city. | Getty Images
3. Wembley vengeance
Losing the Carabao Cup final last season was a bitter pill to swallow. The Wembley celebrations ended on a bum note but Newcastle had the chance to make amends against Manchester United nine months later. And boy did they do exactly that. A second-string Toon side blew the Red Devils away 3-0 in their own backyard. A dominant disaply saw breakout performances for Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento. Can you believe this was also just Newcastle’s second away win over Man United in 51 years? | Getty Images
4. It's happened again!
Almost a year on from the 6-1 drubbing, Newcastle smashed Tottenham Hotspur again with a ruthless display of counter-attacking football. Eddie Howe, stricken by injuries, mixed the Magpies’ gameplan up and hit Spurs with pace and power on the break. A resounding 4-0 triumph had some suggesting Champions League football could be on the cards. Ultimately, Newcastle’s turnaround in their season proved too late but being able to overhaul the system - and still perform - showed promising signs for the future. | Getty Images