Emotional Eddie Howe reacts - Brilliant words after Newcastle win Carabao Cup

After writing himself into Newcastle United folklore with the monumental Carabao Cup win over Liverpool, Eddie Howe has paid tribute to all his supporters following Sunday night’s win.

Completing a great underdog victory over Arne Slot’s Liverpool, winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak, tonight will live long in the memory for Howe and Newcastle supporters everywhere.

In his comments, Howe has paid tribute not only to his Mum, but also the players, management and fans who have backed him along the team’s journey to winning the Carabao Cup.

First reactions to historic win

First speaking to CBS Golazo, Howe was on Cloud 9 after breaking Newcastle’s agonising 70 year wait for a major domestic honour.

“It feels amazing. One of the best days I’m sure of all our careers.”

“To win here, in front of all our supporters and all the people at home, it means so much to the city of Newcastle.”

One of the key reasons for Newcastle’s victory was the complete neutralisation of Mohamed Salah, who was comfortably pocketed by the Newcastle defence.

Addressing this approach, Howe praised his two goalscorers in particular for their performances on Sunday night.

“That was the plan, for Dan to slide across to Salah, it wasn’t the best pure footballing game, but I thought we were excellent off the ball today.”

“It always starts with this man (Isak) up front, as good as he is, as good as the team is off the ball, then you work your way back through the team: Dan did a brilliant job on Salah - we know he’s not just a threat with the ball but also with direct play.”

On his team’s tactics and approach

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Howe further elaborated on the extensive tactics and methods he employed to great success against Arne Slot’s runaway Premier League leaders.

“We’ve been working on those corners tirelessly for two weeks. We’ve had mixed success – I can be honest – in training and he’s delivered one, from long range as well.”

Speaking on Dan Burn’s heroic header to open the scoring, Howe couldn’t hide his joy.

“I thought it was an incredible header, and so fitting that it’s him that scored that goal. It’s been a long wait for even a goal at Wembley, a brilliant moment.”

On what the win means to him, his family and the club

Howe, typically measured and calm, was understandably incredibly emotional at the gravity of his and his side’s achievements.

“We were well aware of the history and we wanted to do the club proud. We wanted to score, we wanted to perform and we wanted to win.”

“We are breaking new ground. I thought we were magnificent today. I am very, very emotional and have been all day, which is unlike me.”

“We knew what was at stake today for all of our fans – we wanted to do them proud and win the trophy. I am so, so pleased with the result and the performance – we deserved to win today.”

On perceived “legend” status on Tyneside

Few would argue that Howe’s achievements since becoming Newcastle manager have been nothing short of miraculous: transforming a seemingly relegation bound club into a Champions League side who have now won the league cup in the space of four and a half years.

So, does that warrant Howe having ‘legend’ status at the club akin to the greats like Shearer and Keegan?

The manager hinted that him and his players aren’t there just yet.

“No, don't put ourselves in that bracket. I think we'll let other people decide that when we're probably long gone from the football club but I think our job is to give our best every day and that will never change”

“And I do think we've got some iconic players who will go down, as ‘legends’ of the football club in the future but they've still got to cement that legacy.”

On his family and their support for him and the team

Howe has made it clear in the past just how much the support of his family means to him, and on the night of his crowning career achievement so far, he went out of his way to thank those close to him.

“Naturally you end up thinking of the players, the staff, but also the people who aren’t with you – like for me, my mum, family members.”

“You go to them and just think of all the sacrifices, hard work that they gave you as a child to give you the opportunity to have a good life, really.”

“You think you’re getting help from above and you get support. I’ve just always had the thought I want to try to make my family proud, and now of course I have three boys and I want to try to make them proud too.”