Having secured promotion to the Premier League on Monday with a 4-1 win over Preston North End, Newcastle fans swarmed south in their thousands to celebrate securing top-flight football for next season.
The concourse filled quickly and the travelling fans soon amassed in a sea of black and white underneath the terraces of the Cardiff City Stadium. Copious amounts of beer were consumed as the fans began to eulogise manager Rafa Benitiez to the tune of ‘La Bamba’. Spirits were high and rightly so.
The atmosphere soon transpired to the terraces as kick-off emerged. Newcastle, without key players Matt Ritchie and Jonjo Shelvey found it difficult to find their stride in the first half, with home side Cardiff seeming a bigger threat. Two goals were in fact scored by Cardiff but both were ruled out in their attempt to spoil the party – a warning for Newcastle.
The away side made sure the Bluebirds were left rueing their missed opportunities as Christian Atsu announced himself to the stage with a sensational freekick. Newcastle fans were euphoric in the away end as Atsu reeled away in celebration after placing his strike into the top corner leaving keeper Allan McGregor stranded.
Just minutes later it was 2-0 as Isaac Hayden found space in midfield and rifled a shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards. More jubilant scenes followed in the away end as the victory meant that the Championship title is still possible for another day.
The fans stayed in the ground for a further 30 minutes after the game singing “Sunderland are down and the Mags are going up” until the Rafa Benitez songs re-emerged for his post-match media duties. The appreciation was noted by the Newcastle manager, who stopped mid-interview as he spoke to the club’s website to applaud the remaining travelling contingent that remained in the stadium.
The remaining fans trickled out of the stadium but the party continued on the streets of Cardiff as the travelling Geordies revelled in their side’s success.
Liam Potter 