Newcastle United co-owner Jamie Reuben has reacted to the club’s Carabao Cup exit against Chelsea.
Leading through Callum Wilson’s first-half opener, Eddie Howe’s side were 90 seconds away from advancing into the semi-finals but an error by Kieran Trippier saw Mykhailo Mudryk equalise in the second minute of stoppage time.
Trippier’s night got worse when he missed his spot-kick before Matt Ritchie saw his effort saved by Blues goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. The hosts won 4-2 on penalties as United exited their second cup competition in six days after last week’s Champions League heartbreak,
Providing his verdict after the game, Reuben said: “It’s always disappointing when you come this close but we will regroup and go again – thank you for your support for @nufc tonight and for our main man Trippier.”
They are supportive words indeed by Reuben, which will come as no surprise to Howe.
“I’ve spoken with them [the owners] – I have regular conversations with them all,” Howe said after the Champions League exit last week. “They’ve been nothing but supportive, not just through this time, but through my whole time here.
“As I’ve said many times, I think they see the work that goes on behind closed doors and they have close relationships with the players. We are like a family, we’re very close.
“That’s not just me with them, it’s everybody connected with the club. I think there’s just that feeling that they’re very supportive of the players and understanding of how much they’ve given.
“They can see the efforts on the pitch, and I think that’s the most important thing. The key thing is always the evidence on the pitch of what we’re giving. How committed are we? Are we giving everything there? And I think we have.
“That’s why I have no regrets over what the players have given over this Champions League campaign. I might have regrets over a couple of other things, but not at all over what the players have given. That’s always the biggest judgement for me.”
