Eddie Howe planned out a brilliant half-time team talk for his Newcastle United players at Wembley.
Despite starting brilliantly at Wembley, it seemed as though Newcastle United would enter half-time goalless against Liverpool.
That was until Blyth-born Dan Burn scored a towering header just moments before the break. Newcastle fans had Wembley shaking as the players headed back to the dressing room.
In the second half, Newcastle continued to push Liverpool back and it was Alexander Isak who scored the second after latching onto Jacob Murphy’s downward header.
Eddie Howe outsmarted Arne Slot with his tactical approach, and the Magpies held on to win 2-1 and end their 70-year wait for a trophy. The behind-the-scenes celebrations at Wembley were amazing.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
What Eddie Howe told Newcastle players at half-time
There have been calls for Howe to get a statue at St James’ Park for leading Newcastle to cup glory.
They are certainly not far-fetched. Howe was brilliant in the build-up to the final, and he got his game plan spot on. Newcastle scored very quickly either side of half-time, and it has now been revealed what he told players in the Wembley dressing room.
According to The Athletic, Howe had a slideshow prepared for his players which included statistics from the previous two months.
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Howe pointed out that there was a clear dip in the physical stats of his players at the start of the second half. His message to the players was to avoid that dip at Wembley.
The result? Isak doubled Newcastle’s lead just seven minutes into the second half. It was the second time Isak had the ball in the back of the net, with his first effort chalked off as offside.
Howe wanted a physical approach at Wembley and he got it from his players. They bullied Liverpool throughout the pitch and thoroughly deserved the win.
How Newcastle United decorated the Wembley dressing room
There has been a screen at St James’ Park reminding players just how long it has been since the club has won a trophy. On Sunday, that timer was reset to zero.
Howe started the cup final mind games well in advance of the final, and he will go to any length to get the best out of his players.
READ MORE: Alan Pardew pays ultimate compliment to Eddie Howe after Newcastle United win Carabao Cup
In the dressing room at Wembley, players were greeted by a board of fan messages to motivate the squad to win.
Before the 2023 final, Howe said his players were exhausted by the “emotional” build-up to the final, but he got the balance spot on this time around.