Could there have been a better week for Newcastle United?
I still can’t believe this as I’m writing it but the Magpies have finally picked up their first piece of domestic silverware in 70 years, beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley and ending a decades-long run of hurt and agony without a trophy.
On top of that, local hero Dan Burn, who headed the first goal of the final, has been selected by new England boss Thomas Tuchel for the German’s first couple of international fixtures at the helm, and there may not be a centre-back this season more deserving of their first cap.
Rumblings of a new stadium at Leazes Park are getting louder, too, with a capacity of potentially around 65-70,000. And mark your diaries for the 29th March, with an expected day of parade and celebration set to take over Tyneside in the wake of the magic at Wembley. What a time it is for the club!
As always, I’m a very happy Sam and welcome to this week’s joyous edition of the Toon Review!
Courtesy of a local hero leaping like a salmon and a second-half strike from their super Swede, Howe’s side finally got one over on Liverpool and lifted the club’s first piece of domestic silverware since 1955 in the process.
From the start, players and supporters alike were clearly up for it, bringing the passion and guile synonymous with Howe’s Newcastle United. It was fitting, then, that the opening goal was scored by a true Geordie. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a header spin and bend like Dan Burn’s on Sunday. He somehow put some finesse on it, and it spun gorgeously past Caomhin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal.
Surprisingly, the Reds continued to bring nothing to the table, a strange sight considering they sit 12 points clear atop the Premier League standings. Despite their attacking firepower and their world-class midfield that has been bossing the league all season, there was nothing. Newcastle must’ve sussed this out pretty early on, and decided their best bet was to take the game to Slot’s slumbering side.
In the second half, Isak actually had the ball in the back of Kelleher’s net twice, with the first being disallowed for what turned out to be a clear offside. He didn’t have to wait long for a second crack at it, though, rifling a first time effort past the Irish goalkeeper just a couple of minutes later. He wheeled off to celebrate in front of a raucous Newcastle end, and it was then that we truly started to believe.
Federico Chiesa, who emerged from a stacked Liverpool bench, netted a late consolation that was deemed legal after a lengthy VAR review, but it didn’t matter. It was never really in doubt, and United saw out the final moments of one of the greatest days in their history.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2025 Carabao Cup winners… NEWCASTLE UNITED!
“It’s Amazing. An absolutely amazing feeling!”
“I was so pleased and proud of the players today. They gave an unbelievable performance and I thought we fully deserved to win.”
“The game plan was to try and be really aggressive and try not to let them settle in the game.”
“The main thing was to treat it like a normal Premier League game. We didn’t have to build the game up. The players knew how important today was so it was a case of trying to take the pressure off them.”
“Newcastle is a family club and it’s based on family values, so it’s great to share these moments with our family”
On learning from the cup final defeat two years ago: “Sometimes you learn more in defeat than you do in victory. We tried to use the pain positively and come back even stronger.”
The Rumour Mill
Newcastle are “serious” about signing Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen this summer (The i)
Everton are weighing up a move for midfielder Sean Longstaff in the summer. (Talksport)
Liverpool have made contact with Newcastle and those close to Alexander Isak, and are interested in pursuing a summer move for the striker. (Fabrizio Romano)
Eddie Howe will receive a £3m bonus to his salary if Newcastle qualify for the Champions League. (Telegraph)
Newcastle are overwhelming favourites to sign 18-year-old Malaga forward Antonio Cordero, despite interest from Porto (Marca)
Lille striker Jonathan David has revealed that his “preference” is to join a La Liga side this summer.
Newcastle are monitoring Sporting Lisbon winger Francisco Trincao with a right-winger wanted (The i)
Brentford (H)
United will have to wait a while for their next fixture, which will take the form of a midweek battle with Brentford on Wednesday 2nd April. The London side currently sit 11th in the table and certainly have the quality to test Newcastle home or away, and possess two strikers of the highest quality in Yoan Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo. Howe’s side should have the ability to see them off though, and will be motivated by the race for Champions League spots come the end of the season.
Before then, though, the Carabao Cup celebration will take to the streets in Newcastle, as the team and trophy will embark on a parade through the city!
Well done to everyone who got last week’s Wembley-themed trivia question correctly! The original Wembley Stadium did in fact open in 1923.
Let’s keep the trophy talk coming! This week, Eddie Howe became the first United boss since which manager to win major silverware?
Thanks for tuning in, and I will see you all in a couple of weeks after the Brentford game.
CHAMPIONS!
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(Photos via @AlexWatersMedia)