It’s over. Newcastle United have won a trophy.
Two years after their defeat to Manchester United at Wembley, Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup final.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 and frankly, the scoreline doesn’t do the game justice.
While Federico Chiesa’s late goal no doubt caused Newcastle fans to worry, Howe’s side were comfortable throughout, playing with a team not burdened by their history.
Newcastle are Carabao Cup champions. What an incredible sentence to write.
It was a fantastic performance. They looked at home on the grandest of stages and could even have scored more goals than the two they managed.
Newcastle were much the better team throughout and that was seemingly not a fact not lost on Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
The full-time whistle brought scenes of relief and jubilation in equal measure. For the first time since 1955, Newcastle had won a major domestic honour.
Those final ten minutes or so felt like an age. Though Liverpool hadn’t shown much throughout, Chiesa’s goal threatened to ruin the dream and the subsequent VAR check only added to the drama.
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Still, even the most ardent Reds supporter would surely admit their team did not deserve to win. That, of course, doesn’t mean much in finals – they are about winning after all – but Newcastle ended their drought on merit.
Slot was seemingly magnanimous after the game. As per Chris Waugh of The Athletic, the Dutchman went around giving every Newcastle player a hand-slap as they walked past to get their medals.
Newcastle United list of trophies won
The club – for the first time since 1969 – have added to their honours list.
Newcastle have now won 11 major trophies, Sunday’s win becoming their first League Cup success.
It was an era-defining victory. The complexion of the club has changed. No longer can the lack of silverware be used to as a stick to beat supporters with.
What an incredible day. Newcastle United are champions. Drink it in.