For a composed, erudite figure like Howe to arrive at his post-match press conference still soaked and reeking of alcohol underlined just how much Newcastle were letting themselves go after one of the greatest days in the history of a proud but so often underachieving club.

"If you can smell a strange smell that's me. I was drenched in alcohol by Joelinton and some of the others!" Howe said.

"There has to be a celebration. I will certainly be encouraging it. That's not usual for me.

"I urge everyone to enjoy it. We've had some people who have worked for this club for a long time and it's great to see them so happy.

"That is what is all about, you have so many difficult days in football and this club has had its share."

Aside from a brief period when Kevin Keegan's self-styled "entertainers" challenged for the title in the 1990s, Newcastle have suffered decades of self-inflicted wounds that rendered them a laughing stock.

All that changed in 2021 when a Saudi-backed consortium completed a takeover from unpopular owner Mike Ashley and quickly hired Howe as their manager.

Thanks to Howe's leadership and the Saudi financial backing, Newcastle have been transformed from relegation candidates to silverware winners.

'It proves we can do it'

Amanda Staveley, who was the face of the ownership consortium until leaving last year, had boldly claimed Newcastle would one day win the Premier League.

While that target remains unfulfilled, Staveley's belief that trophies would soon arrive has come to fruition, with Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, at Wembley to witness the triumph.

Now Howe, whose deft touch has been so influential in Newcastle's renaissance, wants his team to use the victory as a springboard for more success.

"I think it's really important, hopefully with one there can be more. It's not easy but it proves we can do it," said Howe, who led Newcastle in the Champions League last season and is chasing a return to the competition next term.