There were so many memorable moments after the full-time whistle on Monday, so I’ve brought together five of the best from a magical night at St James’ Park.
First up, we have Jacob Murphy’s wholesome reaction to Champions League football returning to Tyneside.
5) Jacob Murphy’s emotional reflection
Speaking to NUFC TV after the final whistle, an emotional Jacob Murphy asked, ‘who would have thought it?’/ His smile said it all.
A boyhood Newcastle United fan (we’ve all seen that adorable photo of him and his twin, Josh, in their Toon shirts), Murphy has seen the club at its lowest. Signing during the Ashley era, and seeing out a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday, his journey hasn’t always been easy.
However, in recent months, Murphs has become not only a favourite of boss Eddie Howe’s, but of fans alike, with many enjoying his recent superb goals and assists (and hilarious antics and meme-making).
After Monday’s game, Murphy looked to be tearing up, saying that he had ‘no words’. Watch it above – I can guarantee it’ll be the most wholesome thing you see today.
4) Amanda Staveley’s happy tears
During the lap of honour immediately after the game, owner Amanda Staveley could be seen to be welling up (just her and the other 52,000 fans in the ground, then). Watch it at 12:20 of the clip below:
To be honest, it’s no surprise. After initially showing interest in the club waaaaay back in October of 2017, she, alongside husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, have been on a wild ride to get to where they are now. With bids starting off in 2018, talks advancing and subsequently falling through, PIF working towards their goal and the takeover FINALLY being completed in 2021, Amanda has seen it all. I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t quite believe that we’d be making Europe so quickly after battling relegation, because, to be honest, neither did I.
But, as she hugged Eddie, players and backroom staff, the enormity of the situation did eventually seem to sink in.
3) Joelinton’s vocals
In a moment which literally ALL of us could relate to, Big Joe gate-crashed his teammate Dan Burn’s post-match interview with a (somewhat questionable) rendition of the Champions League theme.
In the viral clip, he can be seen taking over the mic and bellowing ‘THE CHAAAMMMPPIIIOONNSS’, which quite literally was my mood at that point, and has been all week. Please nobody check my Spotify history, because that could be a tad embarrassing.
2) Eddie Howe and Graeme Jones GOING FOR IT
We see the likes of Pep and Klopp do it after every win; punching the air, celebrating with fans, pulling their hamstrings (okay, that last one was just Jurg.) But through all of our successes, our Eddie has remained humble and gracious, often opting for a mere clap and smile.
That is until Monday, when the gaffer finally let his hair down and celebrated like one of the fans. After all of his hard work and dedication, it was absolutely deserved. He and coach Graeme Jones let loose at the Leazes, not only celebrating Champions League qualification, but showing appreciation to the fans, too.
1) The best team photo yet?
It happens at the end of the last home game every SINGLE season, and yet it always gets me- seeing the players walk around the pitch with their families.
As someone who is incredibly nosey, but also loves seeing people being completely joyous and happy, this is always one of my favourite moments. It also makes me wonder why MY dad isn’t a world-class footballer, but that’s by the by.
Monday night included Miggy and his son, who is a mini version of himself, having a kickabout, Joelinton and his little ones messing around, Bruno and his ‘Brazillian-Geordie’ (as the man himself said) son Matteo, and a whole lot more utter cuteness which resulted in arguably the most precious team photo there has ever been.
Last season’s celebratory pic echoed the successful fight for survival, as we secured our mid-table spot, and I thought nothing could top that feeling- how wrong I was. After all the iconic dressing-room photos when we gained three points, this felt like the ultimate.
We’ve done the impossible, and here we are. Newcastle United, Champions League.
Murphy soaking it all in on the pitch after the game was one of, if not THE moment of the season.
With his waves, watch tapping and post goal smiles he’s been fun to watch and managed to top it off with his reaction on Monday and offer an insight of what this season has meant to him. Lovely stuff
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