Jacob Murphy branded Newcastle United a "band of brothers" after their battle against Manchester United at Wembley.
The winger came on for the last 11 minutes and almost scored the first goal in a major final for the club since 1976 when his late shot scraped past the post with David De Gea. That would have at least given the 32,000 fans something to cheer but Murphy was still proud of the club.
Murphy said after the game: "We're bitterly disappointed but I have had an opportunity to play in a cup final with a band of brothers. "So that was a special moment. "That is the overriding feeling.
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"Fine margins? "Over the course of the game I think we were the better team. Their two goals came as a sucker punch for us. "We controlled the game for large parts but when you are 2-0 down it is always going to be a tough game to get back into."
Newcastle travel to Manchester City next for a clash at the Etihad Stadium for another big clash in the Premier League. They must now try to make up lost ground on Tottenham in the top four.
When asked if they will pick themselves up and go again, Murphy said: "We sure do. "We are a resilient group. I am proud of every single one of the lads. We dust ourselves down.
"You don't lose you learn. I felt an experience like this for this group is just the beginning."
Murphy is keen to reward the supporters who made the trip to Wembley and never gave up. Speaking about the fans Murphy said: "Amazing. "I stood at my hotel room looking out the window, watching everybody walk by.
"They took over, they won their battle. "We could not give them the result they deserved. I hope that they are proud of us as we are proud of them."
When asked if he felt unlucky not to have a Wembley goal to his name after his near miss, Murphy said: "Yeah it whistled wide. "It would have been lovely to see it hit the back of the net but it wasn't our day today."
But Murphy feels that Newcastle are not far away from another big result.
Murphy said: "Yes. "Our focus now goes to Saturday, huge game away to City. I am confident in this group. "I hope everybody else has the belief we do inside the dressing room because we can still achieve something special this season."
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