Highlights from a season we are always going to remember
IT’S BEEN ONE HELL OF A ROLLERCOASTER!
NEWCASTLE fans don’t want the 2022/23 season to end.
Then again, maybe they do – there’s a busy summer transfer window to look forward to, with January a taste of what (or who) is to come.
Off the pitch there really was only one main moment to remember: it happened shortly after 5pm on Thursday 7 October when the Newcastle United takeover was officially confirmed.
After an uncertain bedding period, ‘on the pitch’ moments soon followed in droves. Freekicks, last minute winners, back heel volleys, game-winning saves, fearless tackles, shirt-off celebrations – not to mention the flags, Hey Jude and those heartwarming squad photographs.
It’s been a brilliant blur at times, and writers and editors from our Newcastle United desk here at the Sunday Sun have shared their highlights.
KIERAN TRIPPIER’S FREE-KICK
It seems a long time ago now but the importance of beating Everton at St James’ Park at the start of February cannot be overstated.
Trippier’s performance that night was one of the best individual performances in recent memory and he inspired his team-mates to reach new levels themselves.
It was a bear-pit atmosphere towards ex-sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Trippier’s first goal for the club – a stunning free-kick past his England colleague and good friend – sent the crowd into raptures.
His injury a few days later against Aston Villa was unfortunate but his impact in just four Premier League appearances was season-defining and set Newcastle on their way to achieving survival.
LEEDS AWAY
MATT KETCHELL, FOOTBALL EDITOR
I was tempted to say Jonjo Shelvey’s free-kick from this game, but really the entire team performance at Elland Road in January made me realise Newcastle could survive with time and hope starting to run out.
They went into the game second from bottom, four points from safety and ten points behind Leeds.
Howe’s team controlled the game, got a break with a freekick that Illan Meslier won’t want reminding of, but crucially didn’t sit on the lead, they pushed for a second whilst 1-0 up away from home in a huge game, with a huge atmosphere.
It was really brave, and the longawaited clean sheet never looked in danger. It was torture waiting 17 days for Everton at home after this, but that didn’t disappoint and most of the games thereafter have been brilliant.
BRUNO GUIMARAES’ WINNER AGAINST LEICESTER
CIARAN KELLY, NEWCASTLE
UNITED WRITER This goal summed up the mentality shift at Newcastle United under Eddie Howe and the change of atmosphere at St James’ Park in recent months.
Rather than settling for a point and letting the ball run out of play in the final seconds of the game, as these players might have done once upon a time, Matt Targett shook off James Justin and picked out Joe Willock down the left.
Willock will have no doubt been disappointed not to start the game, but the substitute’s immediate
thought was to put the team first and try and create an opportunity for someone else to win the game with his positive run.
Although Willock’s subsequent cross took a deflection, crucially, Bruno Guimaraes gambled with a 82-yard run into the box at the death to win Newcastle the game with a diving header.
Players, staff and supporters were united in wild celebrations as Newcastle took another giant leap to
safety.
It was a big moment.
WOR FLAGS’
LIVERPOOL DISPLAY
AARON STOKES, NEWCASTLE
UNITED EDITOR While there has been some simply sublime moments on the pitch for Newcastle United this season, my favourite actually took place just a few minutes before kick-off last weekend.
Liverpool at home, the Reds flying both at Anfield and on the road, still gunning for all four trophies at their disposal this season.
Were Newcastle United scared or cowed by the prospect of facing Jurgen Klopp’s winning machine? Absolutely not.
As I took in the pre-match scenes unfolding last Saturday, I got goosebumps as the entire crowd joined in unison to wave their flags and the giant surfer made its way up the Leazes End.
Wor Flags deserve an unbelievable amount of credit for what they have achieved this season.
St. James’ Park is now a stunning advert for players who may fancy a spell in the North East – all thanks to their tireless work.
The scenes before the Liverpool game reminded me that Newcastle United are a club going places. Everyone pulling in the same direction for the first time in almost 15 years.
A club United again.