Newcastle ended 70-year wait for a trophy in spectacular fashion at Wembley
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By CRAIG HOPE and LEWIS STEELE
Published: 14:59 EDT, 16 March 2025 | Updated: 15:00 EDT, 16 March 2025
Newcastle turned Wembley black and white on Sunday and it - alongside London - will stay that way for a long time after they picked up their first domestic trophy since 1955.
But which star has taken his place in this history books? Who enjoyed a 'fairytale' week? And who had his worst game in a long time?
Eddie Howe and his men etched their name into history with the 2-1 win in the Carabao Cup final over Liverpool, with local hero Dan Burn on the scoresheet in the first half and Alexander Isak doubling the lead in the second.
Liverpool, who bagged a consolation through Federico Chiesa, will now be keen to pick themselves up and see out the season as Premier League champions after a devastating week that saw them knocked out of the Champions League and lose the Carabao Cup final.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are in dreamland, and the celebrations will carry on for a few days yet as player jet off around the world for international duty.
Mail Sport's CRAIG HOPE and LEWIS STEELE were at Wembley to rate the players on Sunday.
Alexander Isak was on the scoresheet for Newcastle on a historic day for the club at Wembley
Dan Burn also scored for Eddie Howe's side as the Magpies won their first trophy for 70 years
Howe set his team out on the front foot and they delivered his plan to a tee to win the trophy
Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Caoimhin Kelleher - 6
Could do little about Newcastle's goals and, without the Irishman, Liverpool might have been dead and buried earlier. Denied Burn and Isak from close range.
Jarell Quansah - 5
A few shaky touches and Liverpool missed Trent Alexander-Arnold's creativity and the help he often gives in build-up play.
Ibrahima Konate - 6
Mopped up well a couple of times and made a huge tackle to stop Isak charging clear in the first half.
Virgil van Dijk - 5.5
The captain often started attacks well but ultimately Newcastle caused Liverpool more problems than nearly every team has this season.
Andy Robertson - 5.5
Beaten far too easily for Newcastle's second goal. Murphy had the better of Robertson all afternoon but made some big blocks.
Newcastle caused Liverpool - and Virgil van Dijk - more problems than nearly any other team this season
Mohamed Salah has been by far the best player in England this season, but this was his worst game in a long time
Ryan Gravenberch - 5
Played in multiple different positions but did not have the impact he has enjoyed in most matches this season.
Alexis Mac Allister - 5
Not his fault but why on earth was 5ft 9in Mac Allister tasked with marking 6ft 7in Burn for the first goal? Not his best afternoon.
Mohamed Salah - 4.5
By far the best player in England this season if not Europe – but this was his worst game in a long time. Completely nullified.
Dominik Szoboszlai - 5
A tireless runner as ever but Newcastle bossed the midfield and Szoboszlai could not get past the likes of Joelinton, Guimaraes and Tonali.
Luis Diaz - 4.5
None of Liverpool's attackers deserve a pleasing mark. None of them did enough to win the game.
Diogo Jota - 4.5
Miles off his best form in recent weeks. Had Liverpool's best chance of the game with the last kick of the first half but shanked it wildly wide.
Substitutes
Darwin Nunez (for Jota, 56min) - 5
Curtis Jones (for Konate, 56min) - 7
Cody Gakpo (for Mac Allister, 67min) - 5
Federico Chiesa (for Gravenberch, 73min) - 7
Harvey Elliott (for Diaz, 73min) - 6
Manager:Arne Slot - 6
His XI lacked creativity and guile. Jota and Diaz will do well to keep their places for the next game.
Diogo Jota has been miles off his best form in recent weeks and had Liverpool's best chance
Arne Slot's XI lacked creativity and guile and some of his players will be lucky to keep places
Newcastle (4-3-3)
Nick Pope - 8
His first save was a huge one, denying Jones at 2-0 on the hour. Punched, kicked and cleared everything else. Retribution after missing out in 2023 because of a ban.
Kieran Trippier - 8.5
Used all of his class and experience and it sent a message to his team-mates - we belong here. He was immense - and played for an hour with a hamstring injury!
Fabian Schar - 8.5
The only time Burn missed one, he was there. He was everywhere, in fact. Cool and calm in defence and so composed on the ball.
Dan Burn - 9
Has a footballer ever had a better week? First England call-up, first Newcastle scorer at Wembley in 25 years and a colossal performance to boot. Fairytale stuff.
Tino Livramento - 8.5
So much for him having to worry about Salah. His response was to go on the attack himself and, from his cross, the second goal came. Looked like an England full-back here.
Bruno Guimaraes - 8.5
A captain's display and deservedly takes his place in the club's history books. He ran, tackled and snarled his way through 90 minutes. Courageous.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes has taken his place in the history books after leading his side to win
Joelinton, meanwhile, set the tone from the off and made sure his team, as he did, played well
Sandro Tonali - 8.5
It more graft than craft this time from the Italian but, like his Brazilian midfield sidekicks, he never stopped. What a journey he has been on.
Joelinton - 9.5
He set the tone from the off. When the Brazilian plays well, so do the team. You had the feeling he could have played Liverpool on his own and still won. MOM.
Jacob Murphy - 8
Had been a little sticky with his feet but then supplied the wonderful assist for Isak with his head. To think, he could not get a game for the most part before Howe arrived.
Alexander Isak - 8.5
Had barely touched the ball before the moment he pounced for the second. That's what players of his class do. It proved to be the difference.
Harvey Barnes - 8
Profited from Gordon's suspension and did not waste his opportunity. Was involved for the all-important second goal and was a threat throughout.
Isak had barely touched the ball by the time he pounced for the second goal, which is what class players do
Newcastle best start commissioning the status for Howe after winning the club's first domestic title in 70 years
Manager: Eddie Howe - 9.5
Sent his team out on the front foot and that was where they stayed. They best start to commissioning the statue…
Substitutes
Joe Willock (for Barnes, 81)
Callum Wilson (for Isak, 81)
Emil Krafth (for Murphy, 90)