Newcastle United Must Re-Focus On Premier League After Cup Euphoria

The city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne promised this for years, but when the moment came, it still somehow over delivered. Its population as of 2024 is just over 300,000, the number said to have turned out to celebrate Newcastle United’s first domestic trophy success for 70 years, 13 days after beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

It was a bigger party than anyone thought, beginning with an open-top bus parade through the streets with the whole team, and culminating in a huge party on the Town Moor.

People hung out of windows and climbed street lights in order to get a look at the players holding the cup; a huge flag donning a picture of coach Eddie Howe fell from the roof of a hotel en route, causing an emotional reaction from a man who rarely shows them. This was Newcastle let loose, exhaling after years of holding its breath waiting to celebrate such an achievement. Saturday will go down as one of the greatest days in the region’s history; it showed how much Newcastle revolves around soccer. Even more than people thought.

But that occasion should be seen as a great way to bookend the celebrations. Because of the fixture calendar, Newcastle has not had a match since Wembley; international games and not playing in the FA Cup meant everybody could embrace the party. On Wednesday, it is back to business; Brentford travels to St James’ Park for an important Premier League game. It is the sort of opponent which could exploit any lingering hangover from the last two weeks, and everything must be focussed on dealing with it.

This season is already Newcastle’s best in living memory; the ultimate aim already achieved, securing a place in the Europa Conference League in the process. Yet, for the future prosperity of the club, qualifying for the Champions League is imperative, and it is very much a possibility if it can use the cup celebrations as inspiration to perform between now and May.

Newcastle is currently sixth in the Premier League table; two points behind fourth which is the last Champions League spot. Because the competition has expanded, finishing fifth is likely to be enough; with 10 games of the season remaining, six wins should put Newcastle in control of its own destiny. But even in what is now seen as an incredible season, inconsistency has been a problem, and the players have faced questions over their motivation in certain games, which is cause for concern.

Brentford pose significant threat to Newcastle United

Brentford has been in excellent form away from home in 2025, winning its last five on the road and conceding just one goal. At the time of the reverse fixture in December, the lowest point of Newcastle’s season when it was beaten 4-2, it hadn’t won once away.

That change of fortune is very dangerous for Howe’s team, which has already been beaten at home this season by the likes of West Ham, Bournemouth and Brighton, games it was favourite to win going in. In each of those matches, supporters criticised levels of intensity, desire and tactical flexibility, all of which were perfect in the win at Wembley. They will need to be again to avoid another damaging defeat this week.

Losing those games in a similar manner is extremely frustrating and has given Brentford a blueprint for how to approach this one. Thomas Frank is a coach who is not afraid to try different things, and his team has shown how defensively resolute it can be since the turn of the year. With the pace of forwards Bryan Mbeumo – a player Newcastle is very interested in signing this summer – and Yoane Wissa, it will likely set up very defensively, shutting off space in midfield and transitioning quickly on the counter-attack.

It will be down to Newcastle to use the ball quickly and efficiently to unsettle Brentford and create space to exploit. Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton has every attribute required to do that in midfield, but they must start with purpose; the earlier Newcastle imposes itself, the greater the chance of winning the game. Brentford will only grow in confidence the longer it stays level.

There are plenty of warnings from the past Newcastle must consider. If the team and city are not collectively over the cup celebrations, it could be a very dangerous evening on Wednesday. The final showed what can be achieved with a performance when everything goes right, and it needs to in this game.

Winning the cup was the most important thing for many Newcastle supporters. Years of torment are over, but for the club to achieve its wider objectives, it needs Champions League football.

If that is Newcastle United’s focus against Brentford, the good vibes will continue. If it isn’t, a harsh reality could hit very hard.