In a moment etched in Newcastle United history, the Magpies secured their first major domestic trophy in 70 years, triumphing over Liverpool 2-1 in a captivating Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
The victory, sparked by a powerful header from local hero Dan Burn and sealed by a clinical finish from Alexander Isak, ended decades of longing for silverware on Tyneside.
The weight of history had become palpable for the Newcastle squad, as admitted by defender Dan Burn. “I never ever wanted to say it, but 70 years felt like a bit of a burden,” said the Blyth-born player, who grew up supporting the club.
“That pressure on having to be that team to break that ceiling.” The last major domestic trophy for Newcastle was the FA Cup in 1955, with the 1969 Inter Cities Fairs Cup being their only other significant silverware since.
Burn, who also experienced the heartbreak of a League Cup final defeat two seasons ago, played a pivotal role in breaking the drought. His thumping header in the first half from a Kieran Trippier corner sent the Newcastle faithful into raptures and gave his team the crucial lead.
The second half saw Alexander Isak, the club’s leading scorer, extend Newcastle’s advantage with a well-taken strike in the 52nd minute. The goal triggered scenes of jubilation among the 32,000 Newcastle fans who had made the journey to Wembley, their voices echoing through the stadium.
Despite a late surge from Liverpool, which saw substitute Federico Chiesa pull a goal back in stoppage time, Newcastle held firm. The final whistle ignited celebrations on and off the pitch, marking the end of a long wait for the Magpies and their passionate supporters.
“I feel really strange – I feel numb, I don’t have any emotion. It is strange because I am wanting to feel something, it just won’t sink in. Hopefully, it will,” Burn reflected after the game. “I am just very, very proud to be from Newcastle and be part of this team. I have said it before, it would have been a real shame not to have won something with this team.”
The victory is a testament to the progress made by Newcastle under the ownership and management of Eddie Howe. Despite entering the final as underdogs against a Liverpool side that had been chasing a treble, Newcastle delivered a performance full of grit, determination, and quality.
“Since the owners have come in and the manager came in, we have made a big thing about winning trophies and I think that gives us confidence now to want to do more,” Burn added, hinting at a potential new era of success for the club.
For Liverpool, the defeat compounded their disappointment after their Champions League exit earlier in the week. Having started the week with hopes of a treble, they now have only one remaining prize to play for.
However, the day belonged to Newcastle and their fans. The scenes of jubilation at Wembley and the expected celebrations back in Tyneside will be remembered for years to come, marking a significant moment in the club’s history and providing a platform for future success.
Dan Burn, who is due to join up with the England squad on Monday, summed up the feeling, saying, “The good thing was we had that experience of playing in these big games and being able to handle the pressure.” He added, with a touch of Newcastle’s trademark resilience, “I thought we saw the game out so well. It would not be a Newcastle performance without making it nervous. We had to do our bit there.”
