The Final Sub

ArabNews As Newcastle United prepared for their first major final in decades, the air of the miraculous turnaround in just over a year was palpable.  Fans, deprived for years, took to Trafalgar Square to celebrate wildly with happiness,  hope, and of course expectation. Eddie Howe's magpies were bullish too. They have lost only two Premier League games--both to Liverpool, although,  they were coming into this final off the back of the 2-0 home defeat to the Reds in which Nick Pope, their transformative goalkeeper saw red. The chance to end a 54-year wait for silverware surely outweighs the disappointment of losing Pope, even if it meant going with Loris Karius, who is on a redemption program.  The game was a dream, but the result would have given a bitter tang as Manchester United showed superior quality in decisive moments whilst the burgeoning Magpies huffed and puffed but floundered. Newcastle have big characters in their team but a five-time champions...