Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup without their strongest starting XI.
A lot of the pre-match talk was about the players that Newcastle United did not have.
Anthony Gordon was suspended, while Lewis Hall and Sven Botman were injured.
But Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup without them, beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley.
In fact, the absence of Lewis Hall played a huge role in Eddie Howe making history and becoming the first Newcastle United manager to win a domestic trophy since 1955.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Lewis Hall’s injury forced Eddie Howe to pick the perfect Newcastle defence
Hall missing the final was harsh. He has been sensational in black and white this season, while he has played very well against Liverpool in the Premier League.
But his absence may actually have been a blessing, as it forced Eddie Howe’s hand when it came to his back four.
Tino Livramento took his place at left-back, while veteran defender Kieran Trippier was drafted in to play on the right.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
They both had outstanding games, with Livramento silencing Mo Salah. The 22-year-old was ideally suited to taking on Salah, as the Egyptian attacker loves to cut inside onto this left foot. That was ideal for Livramento, as it meant he was tackling with his stronger right foot.
On the opposite side of the pitch, Trippier leaned on every ounce of experience he had to get Newcastle over the line. He epitomised everything he has brought to Newcastle United since his arrival, and he very much deserved to lift the Carabao Cup trophy alongside Bruno Guimaraes.
Up against a direct winger like Luis Diaz could have been very tricky for the 34-year-old, but he handled him with ease. It was a masterclass in defending from Trippier, just like it was in the semi-final second leg win over Arsenal.
The Lewis Hall situation played into Howe’s hands, as it is unclear what the Toon boss would have done had the 20-year-old been available.
Obviously Newcastle United still would have had a chance of winning had Hall played, but there is no denying that the inclusion of Trippier played a massive part in ending the Magpies’ trophy drought.
Had Hall been available, there are no guarantees that Trippier would have started.
Kieran Trippier will be glad he stayed at Newcastle United
The likes of Dan Burn and Joelinton have hogged the headlines, but Trippier should certainly be in the conversation for Newcastle’s best player at Wembley.
It truly was an outstanding performance from a player who has been in and out of the team all season, and someone who has actually wanted to leave St James’ Park.
Trippier will be grateful he stayed, as he picked up his first major trophy in English football.
That big game experience served Newcastle well, and it is something another player will need to replicate in the future.
Trippier might not be a Newcastle United player for much longer, but he certainly played a key role in giving supporters the greatest day of their lives.