Newcastle United have finally ended their long wait for domestic silverware, defeating Liverpool 2-1 in a thrilling EFL Cup final at Wembley. The victory marks the Magpies’ first major domestic trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 1955—an achievement seven decades in the making.
A Night to Remember for Newcastle Fans
After years of heartbreak in cup finals, Newcastle produced a performance full of grit and determination to claim a historic victory. Dan Burn, who recently earned an England call-up, set the tone with a powerful header just before halftime. The towering defender met Kieran Trippier’s corner to beat Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and send the Newcastle faithful into raptures.
The Magpies doubled their lead early in the second half when Alexander Isak, on his 100th appearance for the club, latched onto Jacob Murphy’s knockdown and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. The Swedish forward has been a crucial figure for Newcastle since his arrival, and his goal ensured his name would be etched in club history.
Liverpool, who had been struggling to break down Newcastle’s resolute defense, found a late lifeline in stoppage time. Federico Chiesa finished off a slick move, slotting the ball past Nick Pope after a VAR review overturned an initial offside decision. However, it was too little, too late for the Reds, as Newcastle held firm to secure the trophy.
Liverpool Falter in a Crucial Week
Liverpool came into the final looking to retain the EFL Cup and add another trophy to their collection. However, fatigue from their midweek Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain seemed to take its toll. The usually sharp and fluid Liverpool attack was uncharacteristically blunt, managing just one shot in the first half—coming in stoppage time from Diogo Jota.
Star forward Mohamed Salah was kept quiet by Newcastle’s disciplined defense, touching the ball only 13 times in the first half and failing to register a single shot throughout the game. Despite enjoying 65.5% possession and making 61 entries into the final third, Liverpool lacked their usual cutting edge and could only muster two shots on target, the second of which was Chiesa’s late consolation goal.
Arne Slot, managing his first final with Liverpool, will be frustrated with the result, especially after his side’s treble hopes collapsed in the space of a few days. With the EFL Cup and Champions League now out of reach, Liverpool’s focus will turn entirely to the Premier League.
Magpies Make History
For Newcastle, this triumph is more than just a trophy—it’s a moment of redemption. Having lost their previous five domestic cup finals (including the 2023 EFL Cup final against Manchester United), the Magpies defied expectations to claim their long-awaited silverware.
Eddie Howe’s side showed experience and resilience, with his starting XI boasting an average age of 29 years and 13 days—the oldest in an EFL Cup final since Manchester City’s 2018 triumph. The team’s maturity and tactical discipline proved crucial in overcoming a Liverpool side that had dominated their past encounters.
This win cements Alexander Isak’s place among the Premier League’s top strikers. Since his debut for Newcastle in August 2022, only Erling Haaland (113) and Mohamed Salah (84) have scored more goals than his 58 across all competitions.
What’s Next for Newcastle?
With this historic victory, Newcastle have set the foundation for future success. Their passionate fanbase, which has endured decades of near misses and heartbreaks, can finally celebrate a well-deserved trophy. The Magpies’ resurgence under Eddie Howe continues, and with European ambitions still on the table, this could be the start of a new era for the club.
After 70 years of waiting, Newcastle United are finally champions again.
