Newcastle United claimed their first major trophy in 70 years with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak proved decisive, with Federico Chiesa’s late strike setting up a tense finish. Eddie Howe’s side held on to secure a historic win in front of jubilant travelling supporters.
Howe became the first English manager to lift a major domestic trophy with a Premier League side since Harry Redknapp’s FA Cup triumph with Portsmouth in 2008. Newcastle’s defensive resilience and clinical finishing ensured they edged past a Liverpool side that dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances.
Liverpool dominated possession in the early stages, but despite their territorial control, they failed to seriously test Nick Pope. Newcastle remained compact and disciplined, waiting for opportunities to strike on the break or from set pieces.
The breakthrough came right on the stroke of half-time. Kieran Trippier delivered an excellent inswinging corner from the right, and Dan Burn rose highest at the far post to power a header beyond Caoimhin Kelleher. It was a dream moment for the Newcastle defender and lifelong Magpies supporter, who wheeled away in celebration after handing his side a 1-0 lead going into the interval.
Newcastle started the second half with renewed confidence and quickly doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute. Tino Livramento swung in an off-balance cross from the left, which Jacob Murphy met at the back post. Murphy’s knockdown found Alexander Isak, who volleyed home emphatically from close range. The Swedish striker’s 58th goal for Newcastle came on his 100th appearance for the club and put Howe’s side firmly in control.
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Arne Slot reacted by making a flurry of changes. Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott were introduced in an attempt to spark Liverpool into life. The Reds pushed forward relentlessly, and their efforts were finally rewarded deep into stoppage time. In the 90+4th minute, Elliott dispossessed Bruno Guimarães in midfield and threaded a perfectly weighted pass through to Chiesa. The Italian forward burst between the lines and, under pressure from Dan Burn, calmly slotted past Pope. Although the assistant referee initially flagged for offside, VAR intervened and awarded the goal, giving Liverpool a lifeline.
With eight additional minutes indicated, Liverpool threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser. However, Newcastle’s defence—marshalled by Burn and Schär—held firm, and Pope remained composed in the closing stages, making key interventions to protect their lead. Newcastle saw out the remaining time to clinch a 2-1 win and spark wild celebrations among their fans.
**LIV:** Kelleher; Quansah, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Díaz.
**NEW:** Pope; Trippier, Schär, Burn, Livramento; Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes