Newcastle United made history on Sunday by defeating Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, securing their first major trophy since 1955.
The hard-fought victory marks the first silverware of the 2024/25 football season, cementing the Magpies’ resurgence under manager Eddie Howe.
A Tense Battle at Wembley
The final kicked off with both sides taking a cautious approach, carefully testing each other’s defenses. However, Newcastle found the breakthrough just before halftime, with Dan Burn rising high to nod in a header during stoppage time, sending their fans into celebration.
In the second half, Newcastle maintained their momentum, and in the 52nd minute, Alexander Isak capitalised on a defensive lapse to double their lead.
Despite Liverpool’s efforts to claw their way back into the match, Arne Slot’s men struggled to break through Newcastle’s disciplined defense. Late substitutions, including Curtis Jones and Darwin Núñez, failed to spark a comeback.
Federico Chiesa gave Liverpool a glimmer of hope by pulling one back in the 94th minute, but the final whistle confirmed Newcastle’s historic 2-1 win, ending their seven-decade trophy drought.
Manager and Player Reactions
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe described the triumph as a “dream come true” and hailed his squad’s resilience.
“This is for the fans. The players gave everything, and to see Newcastle lift a trophy again is truly special,” he said.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot conceded that his team fell short when it mattered.
“We weren’t clinical in key moments. Newcastle were the better team today, and they deserved this win,” he admitted.
Emotional Scenes as Newcastle Celebrates
Dan Burn, who scored the opening goal, expressed his joy at playing a pivotal role in the club’s long-awaited success.
“To score in a cup final and help end a 70-year wait—it’s a dream come true,” he said.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, despite the heartbreak, showed sportsmanship by congratulating Newcastle on their victory.
Meanwhile, football pundit Gary Neville was visibly moved by the occasion, saying, “This is what football is about—pure emotion and historic moments.”
Club legend Alan Shearer also joined the celebrations, hailing the triumph as a turning point for Newcastle.
“We’ve waited a long time for this. This win shows the passion and strength of this club,” he said.
Fans across the globe flooded social media with messages of congratulations, celebrating Newcastle’s return to glory.