• Newcastle secures their first significant domestic title of the 2024/25 season.
• Magpies concluded a long 56-year wait for trophies.
• Dan Burn, Alexander Isak, and Federico Chiesa scored goals.
"Chaos in black and white."
The likelihood is high that the comments made by Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville when Newcastle United scored first in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final will become part of football history as the Magpies broke their long-standing trophy drought.
Newcastle had less possession against former champions Liverpool at Wembley Stadium but controlled the match in the capital, generating significantly more chances than their renowned rivals.
The damage occurred in a brief period around half-time, as lifelong Newcastle supporter Dan Burn – who was let go by the club at 11 but returned at 29 after building a career mainly in the Championship and League One – headed the Magpies ahead just before the break.
Alexander Isak, a player regarded by Liverpool as a possible improvement over Darwin Nunez in the transfer window, scored Newcastle's second goal seven minutes into the second half.
Federico Chiesa's late goal, following an extended and excruciating VAR review, created a dramatic climax that frayed the nerves of Newcastle supporters, yet the Magpies persevered.
The Reds, eliminated from the Champions League only days prior after being outperformed over two legs by Paris Saint-Germain, had no answers. This represents the first significant crisis for Arne Slot since taking over from Jurgen Klopp last May; however, to put things in broader perspective, his team remains 12 points ahead at the top of the Premier League with under ten matches remaining.
Newcastle has been waiting since 1969 for a significant trophy, claiming the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup – an early version of today’s UEFA Cup/Europa League. Their most recent significant home trophy was even further back in 1955, when club icon Jackie Milburn was nearing the end of his career.
The Magpies have come painfully close to breaking that spell multiple times, falling short in FA Cup finals in 1974, 1998, and 1999, League Cup finals in 1976 and 2023, and also placing second in the Premier League in 1996 and 1997.
However, Eddie Howe, who felt profound disappointment in losing to Manchester United in this final two years prior, has achieved what figures such as Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, and the late Sir Bobby Robson could not in earlier attempts.
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