Summary
Newcastle United won the EFL Cup, ending a 70-year trophy drought.
Jacob Murphy set up the winning goal.
Norwich City were crucial in Murphy's success with Newcastle.
Newcastle United ended their 70-year domestic trophy drought on Sunday, beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium to win the EFL Cup.
The Magpies dominated the Premier League leaders in the opening 45 minutes, and were rewarded when Dan Burn thundered home a header from a corner on the stroke of half-time. Alexander Isak then lashed home to double the advantage, which ultimately rendered Federico Chiesa's stoppage-time goal a meaningless consolation.
There were plenty of excellent performances on the winning side, which certainly made it hard to pick a Man of the Match. One of those that may have gone slightly under the radar is Jacob Murphy, who set up the winning goal with an excellent knock down for Isak. The winger was a real live wire throughout the match, and caused Liverpool all sorts of issues.
With that in mind, Newcastle will be hugely grateful to Norwich City, as the attacker came through the ranks at Carrow Road to eventually make his break into the first-team. Almost eight years later, Murphy wrote his name into the folklore of his boyhood club, ending the 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.
Newcastle United will be grateful to Norwich City for Murphy success
Jacob Murphy - Newcastle United
The 30-year-old is a fan favourite at St James' Park, having joined the club in 2017 from Norwich. His time at the Canaries took a while to become a success, as the wideman had to play the patient game and head out on multiple loan spells before getting his shot at Carrow Road.
Murphy signed his first professional contract in 2013, and was sent out on loan to Swindon Town, Southend United, Blackpool, Scunthorpe United, Colchester United, and Coventry City, before finally getting his chance in the Norwich squad. The attacker scored eight goals in 37 Championship appearances, which earned him a move to boyhood club Newcastle.
The former England youth international would go on to establish himself as a first-team regular at St James' Park. Despite plenty of change on and off the pitch, Murphy remains a first-team staple for Newcastle. Over the last eight seasons, the London-born attacker has racked up over 200 appearances in all competitions for the Toon Army.
After growing up in Wembley, Murphy went on to end his boyhood club's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy in his own backyard. He produced a standout performance on the biggest stage of all, and was able to fulfill a childhood dream. Patience paid off for Murphy, which secured him his Norwich breakthrough, and Newcastle will be grateful for that.
Murphy has faced plenty of challenges to become Newcastle star
Jacob Murphy
The 30-year-old had to play the patient game at Carrow Road before eventually getting his opportunity to shine, which was a key stepping stone in the pathway to his Newcastle dream.
Even after Murphy departed Norwich, his spot in the side in the North East had to be earned. Loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday proved to be a success, which once again earned him a spot in his new club's plans after he found game time hard to come by.
Jacob Murphy - All-time Newcastle United stats (Transfermarkt)
Apps
208
*Correct as of 17 Mar 2025
A couple of years later when the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund took over from Mike Ashley as owners of the Magpies, plenty of expensive new players were brought in to bolster the squad and get the club where they wanted to be. Despite this, Murphy's continued quality has helped him remain an important member of the squad in the club's new era.
The story of Sunday's success is a poetic one, as a local lad returned to his birthplace with his boyhood club to end their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, and Newcastle will be grateful to Norwich that they played a part in this special story.
Eddie Howe x Dan Burn Carabao Cup Winners for Newcastle United Related
[Exclusive: Ex-Sunderland player hails Eddie Howe & Dan Burn for Newcastle United's EFL Cup "masterclass"](https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-ex-sunderland-don-goodman-hails-eddie-howe-dan-burn-for-newcastle-united-efl-cup-masterclass/ "Exclusive: Ex-Sunderland player hails Eddie Howe & Dan Burn for Newcastle United's EFL Cup "masterclass"")
Don Goodman has lauded Eddie Howe and Dan Burn for their contributions to Newcastle's EFL Cup Final triumph.