Eddie Howe's side were by far and away the better team at Wembley, and at long last a new generation of Geordies can celebrate winning silverware
Newcastle brought 70 years of hurt to an end on Sunday when they beat Liverpool 2-1 in the final of the Carabao Cup. Goals in either half from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak saw the Magpies to victory at Wembley Stadium as over 32,000 Geordies witnessed their side win a first major trophy in seven decades in the flesh.
Eddie Howe's men were the better of the two teams from start to finish and were totally deserving of a victory that no one can ever take away from them.
The day could have had a different complexion had Liverpool been awarded a first-half penalty. The Reds found it difficult to make inroads beyond a stubborn Newcastle backline, though wanted a spot-kick when the ball struck Kieran Trippier's arm, only for both the referee and VAR to ignore the Reds' appeals.
As first-half stoppage time got underway, Newcastle notched themselves ahead. A teasing corner from Trippier found Burn – the tallest outfielder on the pitch by a considerable distance – unmarked, and he headed beyond Caoimhin Kelleher to give his boyhood side the lead. The Magpies were let off the hook with the last chance of the opening 45, however, when Luis Diaz rose high to touch a Mohamed Salah cross back for Diogo Jota, only for the Portuguese forward to slice his shot wide.
On the other side of the interval, Newcastle thought they had doubled their lead when Isak scrambled the ball home after Kelleher spilled another attempt from Burn, only to be denied by the most marginal of offside calls with Bruno Guimaraes in the goalkeeper's line of sight. But moments later, the Magpies had their second goal. Tino Livramento's cross to the far post was won high by Jacob Murphy, and Isak was quickest to pounce to divert the ball into the far corner.
To this point, Nick Pope had been having a quiet afternoon between the sticks, but he was forced into action when a sweeping Liverpool move saw Curtis Jones fire at goal, and the England shot-stopper came to the rescue with a strong save. Back down the other end, Isak was kept out by a fantastic save from Kelleher after Harvey Barnes selflessly played Guimaraes' through-ball back across to Newcastle's No.14.
Liverpool had the ball in the net midway through eight minutes of added time, but forgotten man Federico Chiesa was at first thwarted by the offside flag. However, he was deemed on after a VAR review and the Magpies were set for a nervy finish. Nevertheless, Geordie dreams came true as their men clung on to win the cup.
GOAL rates Newcastle's players from Wembley…
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Nick Pope (6/10):
A spectator until the latter stages of the game, with his goal well protected by a dogged and determined back four. An eye-catching save to deny Jones ought to have caught the attention of England boss Thomas Tuchel after his omission from his first Three Lions squad.
Kieran Trippier (7/10):
Kept his game as simple as possible in order to cover his physical decline as he ages. Still has one wicked delivery on him, as proven by the assist – his first all season, would you believe – for Burn's goal. Liverpool wanted a penalty given against the right-back shortly before the break for handball, but VAR deemed his arm was out for balance rather than to get an unfair advantage.
Fabian Schar (6/10):
Tried to open Liverpool up with a series of long-range pings, though many of them went straight into Van Dijk's path. Nevertheless proved the perfect partner for man-of-the-moment Burn.
Dan Burn (9/10):
The scorer of Newcastle's first goal in a major cup final at Wembley since 1976, and how fitting that it came from a Geordie. Totally justified his controversial England call-up earlier in the week with an outstanding, commanding performance at the heart of defence.
Tino Livramento (8/10):
Kept Salah very, very quiet and was instrumental in Isak's goal, with his cross met by Murphy to nod down to the Swedish striker.
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Bruno Guimaraes (8/10):
A captain's performance, a skipper worthy of hoisting the cup aloft. Gave everything in a gruelling battle, though wasn't the only Newcastle midfielder to cover themselves in glory. Previously revealed his determination to go down as a legend of the club, and he'll almost certainly do just that now.
Sandro Tonali (7/10):
Likewise excellent on and off the ball. Clearly hasn't let the effects of last year's betting ban get to him and has come back so much stronger this season.
Joelinton (8/10):
Every tackle Joelinton plundered into was cheered like a goal by the sizeable travelling contingent from the north-east. Didn't even need to dig into his usual arsenal of cynical and snide fouls to have a good game, he was dominant in a clean-cut manner.
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Jacob Murphy (7/10):
Never stopped running, never stopped giving Robertson hell, never shied away from his defensive duties. Exactly the sort of performance you'd want from your winger in a cup final. Taken off for Krafth towards the end.
Alexander Isak (8/10):
Van Dijk seemed to win every duel against the striker in the first half, but Isak looked a man possessed coming out for the second 45, bringing an extra bounce and spring to his play and finding the net twice in quick succession (though the first was ruled out for offside). Afforded a standing ovation when withdrawn for Wilson.
Harvey Barnes (6/10):
Didn't test Quansah too much despite the obvious mismatch, whereas the suspended Gordon would have had a field day. Nevertheless, this seldom mattered as Newcastle ended up lifting the trophy. Subbed for Willock.
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Callum Wilson (6/10):
Replaced Isak for the closing stages.
Joe Willock (6/10):
Came on for Barnes.
Emil Krafth (N/A):
A late replacement for Murphy.
Eddie Howe (9/10):
Many outsiders scoffed at the prospect of Howe leading Newcastle to glory when he was appointed as manager back in 2021, but he's proved all doubters wrong. This was one almighty tactical performance, becoming the first English manager to win a major trophy in this country since Harry Redknapp in 2008. The FA ought to be considering him as an eventual successor to Tuchel.