If Newcastle United owners are deadly serious about being the best team – Take heart from this | OneFootball

All of my life, I have hated sportsmen who believed it was their god given right to take the proverbial out of their opponents.

As a young boxer in the 1970s, me and my big mate and future champion, Paulie King, were always taught to be humble by our revered coach Pat Connors and his admirable sidekick Terry Patterson.

So yesterday, I was reasonably happy to see Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City receive their comeuppance in the FA Cup final.

Before the game I wanted Man City to hammer their Salford neighbours. The potential of Newcastle United qualifying for the Europa Conference League was of secondary importance.

As I sat in Cullercoats Crescent Club with my ex-missus, I quickly became disgusted as Pep’s Man City decided to showboat their way through the first half hour, even though they hadn’t yet scored.

Arrogance personified.

When Man Utd scored I thought it would be only temporary respite and that all conquering Man City would steam back. How wrong I was.

Man Utd deservedly won the FA Cup yesterday and should be commended for exposing their local rivals as mere mortals.

If the Newcastle United owners are deadly serious about being the best team in this country well they should take heart from Man Utd’s victory at Wembley.

Man City are now more than catchable in the next few seasons.

There will be no European excursion for the Toon Army next season after all.

That hardly hurts me to be honest, as I had ideally set my heart on finishing in the top four of the Premier League for the second season running.

There will be now be no excuses next season, if Newcastle United aren’t challenging for a position at Europe’s top table.

We also need to win a trophy sooner rather than later. A poorer side than us have yet again come up trumps in the silverware department.

It hurts me to say it but congratulations to Man Utd for showing some real bottle, when most had written them off.