The weekend in March 2002 when Eddie Howe suffered the knee injury that would ultimately end his playing career before he was 30 was a good one for Newcastle United. Sir Bobby Robson’s team beat Everton 6-2 in front of 52,000 at home and Alan Shearer scored one of the goals.
Newcastle finished fourth that season and qualified for the Champions League, proof that it has not always been miserable on Tyneside. Rarely, though, has it been as good, as positive, as it feels right now.
On Sunday Newcastle have the chance to win their first domestic trophy since 1955 when they meet Manchester United in the League Cup final and Howe is the young manager who has taken them to Wembley.