ALEXANDER Isak sealed Newcastle United’s 2-1 Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool at Wembley, reports the Voice of Sport.
Isak’s goal along with a late first half header by Dan Burn ended seven decades of hurt for the Geordies who outplayed the men in red for most of this match.
Liverpool were the defending champions, having beaten Chelsea in extra time last season. It was their final success under Jurgen Klopp before he stepped down as manager at the end of the season. Today they were no match for Eddie Howe’s pumped up outfit.
Pre-match it was a question of whether Newcastle could end their long wait for a major trophy, and they had not beaten Liverpool since December 2015, a run of 17 games.
Newcastle raid the Cottage to take all three points
Newcastle seized their moment and were hungry for the win. Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s biggest issue was just how would his team react to the disappointment of going out of the Champions League against Paris St-Germain in midweek. Well, they suffered something of a hangover from that shootout defeat.
This was Newcastle’s second cup final under boss Eddie Howe and the Saudi ownership, losing two years ago to Manchester United. They made no mistake today. Their most recent trophy was the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup which is way too long for a club of their size.
They were the better team from the get-go. They won their individual challenges and just looked more up for the fight.
They were backed by a support that was determined to see the end of seven domestic decades of hurt. Among their celebrity fans were TV stars Ant & Dec.
Howe’s men were certainly on the front foot early on but it took until them until the 24th minute for a genuine effort on goal when Sandro Tonali fired past the Liverpool post. Minutes later a juicy Jacob Murphy cross was cleared by Ibrahima Konate just before Isak could strike.
The Geordies were fighting for everything and were the better team. In truth, as an attacking force, Liverpool were anonymous at this point with danger man Mo Salah well shackled by Tino Livramento.
Ten minutes before the end of the half Isak and KieranTrippier saw efforts blocked by alert Reds’ defenders.
Just before the half-time whistle Newcastle got their just reward when Burn, surprisingly called up by England manager Thomas Tuchel in midweek, thundered home a header after a pinpoint Trippier corner.
There was still time for Liverpool to eke out their best chance of the half but Diogo Jota missed from close range.
Their was slightly more energy from Liverpool at the start of the second period. Luis Diaz missed his chance with man-of-the-match Joelinton breathing down his neck.
Isak fired home but was adjudged to be offside much to the disappointment of the fans at that end of the famous old stadium.
The striker did not have too wait too long for redemption. In the 53rd minute he notched his team’s second after good work by Livramento and a headed assist by Jacob Murphy.
Just six minutes later Liverpool were nearly back in business but ‘keeper Nick Pope saved from sub Curtis Jones.
Another sub, Darwin Nunez, failed to connect with a bobbling ball in the Newcastle area, to sum up his team’s day. Liverpool were just not at races today but compensate themselves with a potential Premier League success.
Isak was on the rampage and saw his close range shot well parried by Caoimhín Kelleher but it may well have been ruled out by the VAR for offside.
In the 69th minute the industrious Murphy saw his powerful shot go wide while Jones tried to hit back for Liverpool.
Late on Joelinton and Tonali saw openings but could not take them. Fredrico Chiesa struck late for Liverpool but Newcastle deserved their glory in front of 88, 513 spectators.
www.newcastleunited.com/en