Sandro Tonali
Sandro Tonali (Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Eddie Howe said the serious planning for Newcastle United's Carabao Cup final date with Liverpool didn't start until after the win over West Ham a week ago.
But in truth, the foundations for the success were laid in the weeks leading up to the Wembley final. It's a fine balance for the United head coach, with Howe keen to keep focus on the job in hand, while also knowing his side could write their names in history. That they went on to do so owed much to the tactical plannning of Howe and his coaching staff including Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones.
The players had to step up to the plate, and they did so to a man. Not one slipped below the high standards they have set for themselves, and it paid off in style. Here are seven key moments that meant the 70-year wait for a domestic trophy is over.
Newcastle's set-piece success
It was the big talking point in the TV studios at half-time. Just what were Liverpool doing when defending set-pieces? It came after Dan Burn had opened the scoring with a towering header from a corner, something which had been on the cards. United had done their homework on the training ground, and looked to ensure key defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibra Konate were taken out of the equation by leaving Burn way back on the far post. Even Arne Slot admitted: "It was smart of them to keep him away from our zonal players that far."
Instead, Alexis Mac Allister was charged with the task of stopping Burn from having a run into the box, where the bigger defenders waited. The Argentinian World Cup winner didn't really stand a chance and after several close shaves - Bruno almost turned one Burn header in - the man from Blyth powered home to opener. Somewhere in Benton there's a tactics board with that move on it. Frame it.
Bravery pays off
Everyone knew the United players would have to be at their very best to beat Liverpool, but even then it might not be enough. After all, they had outplayed them for long spells at St James' earlier in the season but were held 3-3 after Mo Salah turned it on in the second half. So Newcastle would have to win the tactical battle - and they did in spades.
Bravery is the key word. You have to have guts and belief to press high against the world-class players Liverpool boast, but that is exactly what they did on the big Wembley pitch. The Reds' backline were constantly put under pressure, which meant they often opted to go long - where Burn and Fabian Schar were waiting to head clear.
It meant Liverpool couldn't get into any rhythm, with Slot admitting afterwards that they were forced into the playing the game Newcastle wanted.
Operation: Isolate Salah
It's not as simple as saying 'just stop Mo Salah'. The Egyptian is one of the world's greatest players and can hurt any side. So while it was vital Tino Livramento didn't give him an inch all game - and the full-back certainly succeeded on that front - United also had to stop the ball getting to Salah in the first place. Again, they were hugely successful here.
As discusssed above, the longer balls out from the back hardly played to his strength, but Newcastle also controlled the midfield areas, meaning Liverpool weren't able to work the ball out to the talisman and allow him to face up the United defence with the ball at his feet. In the end, Salah should have been more worried about Livramento, with the England youngster given the freedom of Wembley to get forward and cross for United's second.
Midfield dominance
Plenty has been written about how good United's midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton are, but this was when they simply had to deliver. And deliver they did. What was most pleasing was the way they operated as a unit. It meant their opposing numbers - no lesser talent than Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch - were outfought and in many ways out-thought. Tonali was the anchor which held them all together, a perfect screen for the back four but not afraid to break the lines and get forward.
Bruno was a constant menace in the Liverpool half, winning position and free-kicks in the way only he can, while looking to set the frontmen free, and Joelinton covered every blade of grasss in a seismic performance. More of that to come. They talk about winning individual battles, well this was a three vs three that United won hands down, and set them on their way to victory.
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Joelinton's hard yards
'That's his hat-trick,' cried Gary Neville on commentary as Joelinton celebrated his third crucial tackle of the game. Twice it was the big Brazilian's interception which denied Liverpool a clear-cut chance, once to block Andy Robertson and also a crucial intervention which prevented Luis Diaz a chance in the box. It may have almost gone unnoticed during the game, but it was those moments which stopped Liverpool from every really getting a foothold in the game - and Joelinton knew it.
Pope stands tall
Much of the pre-match talks surrounded who would get the nod in goal, with Howe chopping and changing between Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka in recent weeks. Pope got the call, of course, but was largely a spectator for the first half, although came off his line to good effect to sweep up any dangerous throughballs.
However, with the introduction of Curtis Jones to the Liverpool midfield, Arne Slot's side found something of a head of steam shortly after Isak's goal put United 2-0 ahead. The young midfielder was at the heart of a quick move that threatened the United goal, and when the ball came back to him he had a clear sight of goal. Pope stood tall though and a reaction save sent the ball out for a corner and preserved Newcastle's lead.
Liverpool have no answer to Isak
Three chances. Two goals, one chalked off and one effort supberly saved by Caoimhin Kelleher. Not a bad afternoon for Alexander Isak, especially consdering much of his day was spent harrying Liverpool defenders. Newcastle had to take their chances, and while they perhaps could have killed the game off in the second period, they made the most of the rare opportunities in the game.
You have to pay big bucks for players of Isak's talent, but he showed why he is the hottest property around with a cool and clinical finish for the second. It was a great cross from Livramento and a perfect knock-down from Jacob Murphy, but many would have snatched at the chance or tried to take the net off. Not Isak. He is so calm and assured that he had the presence of mind to pick his spot and stroke the ball home. You knew as it dropped to him that it would be a goal.
In contast, Liverpool wasted late chances to pull one back until Federico Chiesa found the ball at his feet for the consolation goal. Twice the ball fell to Darwin Nunez in the box after a scramble. Both times his touch let him down. It left Slot looking on enviously.
Newcastle United Carabao Cup WINNERS 2024/25
At last, Newcastle have their hands on silverware!
After an agonising 56-year wait, the Magpies' amazing army of fans can celebrate watching their side lift a trophy after their Carabao Cup final win. And to celebrate, the Newcastle Chronicle have produced this souvenir special, marking the Wembley triumph.
It is packed full of reaction, analysis and quotes as well as amazing pictures from the day, and a centre-spread poster.
It is the perfect souvenir of an historic day for Newcastle.
Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in the North East from March 20, 2025.