Newcastle United’s mammoth season is finally over — and that will come as blessed relief for many.The highs of reaching the Champions League knockout stages for the first time and getting to the final four in their defence of the Carabao Cup feel like an age ago. In the Premier League, Newcastle laboured until the final few games and questions over Eddie Howe’s future intensified.The Athletic’s Newcastle United correspondent Chris Waugh reviews a turbulent, and exhausting 2025-26…Newcastle’s grade for 2025-26 is… An overall grade is very difficult, but probably a C- (and many may see that as generous…).In cup competitions, Newcastle warrant a B, given they reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals, putting up a good defence of that trophy, and qualified for the Champions League knockout stages for the first time. Barcelona and Manchester City (twice) were their elite conquerors in knockout competitions, though the 7-2 scoreline at Camp Nou was embarrassing.The Premier League, however, has been a different story. Newcastle lost more games (17) than they won (14) and finished in the bottom half. Mostly, they stuttered through games and suffered disastrous home-and-away defeats to newly promoted rivals Sunderland, who went on to qualify for the Europa League.Goal of the seasonDan Burn’s sublime curled header against Athletic Club on November 5 deserves a mention for its distinctive nature, while Will Osula’s magnificent last-minute solo winner against Manchester United on March 4, sprinting from his own half, before cutting inside and whipping a brilliant finish into the far corner, was glorious.But, if Nick Woltemade remains an enigma Howe is struggling to crack, then his ingenious equaliser against Brighton on October 18 confirmed his unique class. Woltemade, who was ahead of Lewis Miley’s pass, jumped, allowing the ball go beyond his left foot and on to his right, trailing leg, from which a flick diverted it expertly into the net.The AMEX press box offered the perfect vantage point from which to witness an inspired goal of the season.Game of the seasonIn the Premier League, there were too few standout performances.Their most impressive triumph came when Harvey Barnes’ brace downed Manchester City on November 22. Another Barnes double helped Newcastle to their most dramatic victory, 4-3 over Leeds United on January 7. Howe’s side fell behind three times — remarkably securing all the points they picked up from losing positions across the season, a meagre three — but triumphed via the latest winner in Premier League history (102 minutes).But the game of the season, at least spectacle-wise, was the 1-1 draw against Barcelona on March 16 at St James’. Barnes handed Newcastle a deserved lead, only for Lamine Yamal to equalise from the spot in the 96th minute. That was cruel on Newcastle, who really unsettled the European giants.