Newcastle’s triumph over Arsenal was a semi-final won across two of the proudest nights of Eddie Howe’s managerial career. A double bill against Mikel Arteta and Howe produced two tactical masterclasses.
We live in an age where the likes of Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou tell us they can’t change their tactics because they must remain true to their philosophies but Howe proved the best managers adapt and can morph into different shapes and styles to get the job done – even when missing their best players.
Newcastle had never won a game without Bruno Guimaraes in the side since his debut three years ago but went to the Emirates Stadium in the first leg without him to face a team that was unbeaten in 13 games and inflicted upon them their only home defeat of the season.