Season can still be special - Howe targets FA Cup

Newcastle United last won the FA Cup in 1955

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says this season can "still be very special" as he targets FA Cup glory.

Newcastle slipped to ninth in the Premier League with a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday and have not won a major domestic trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 1955.

"We are still in the throes of deciding where this season ends up," Howe said.

"This season can still be very special for us. Nothing is decided for or against us.

"I definitely want to squash that feeling that we are feeling sorry for ourselves because that has negative connotations. We need the players excited and ambitious, thinking brightly about the future.

"This season can still be very special for us, but we have to make it happen."

Howe's side finished fourth in the Premier League last season to qualify for the Champions League, but this time around they are 15 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with 12 rounds of games to play.

"Of course, qualifying for the Champions League was unbelievable last year," said Howe. "But if you can't make that again, then we have to look for the next best alternative."

European football for 2024-25 remains a target, albeit with the Europa League and Europa Conference League considered more viable targets.

Howe said: "That's what we're trying to do, and for me, they're realistic objectives and we'll give everything we can to achieve it."