Yasir Al-Rumayyan's one-finger gesture to Newcastle United critics after Joelinton assault

The Newcastle United party started as soon as the final whistle blew and continued long into the night, with fans and the squad enjoying the fruits of their Carabao Cup efforts.

The last few minutes of the game and the ensuing celebrations were carnage both in the stands and on the pitch. Fans and players wept, joy and passion was unbridled and for many it became a blur.

As the dust finally settles and the hangovers kick in after a weekend that will live long in the minds, we can look back at some of the most memorable moments - and some you may have missed. Six of the best things we spotted are below.

Joelinton’s rugby tackle

It was all hands to the pump as the clock ticked down during added time at Wembley. The eight extra minutes were extended to at least 10 after a lengthy VAR check for Federico Chiesa’s goal, but United stayed brave and maintained their high press.

Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock and Callum Wilson did well the keep the ball in the corner, but once Liverpool broke free they looked to get the ball forward quickly. Cue Joelinton’s rugby tackle on Reds’ sub Harvey Elliott in a desperate attempt to halt their attack. It seemed a borderline assault but referee John Brooks missed it, VAR cleared any serious foul play - and seconds later the final whistle blew. Do Brazil have a rugby team?

Blonde's have more fun

Joelinton may have been the blonde bombshell during the game but his celebrations afterwards were matched by another peroxide partner. With his infectious enthusiasm and energy, Will Osula looked akin to a giant labrador as he bounded and leapt across the Wembley pitch during the celebrations, jumping on the backs of players and staff as he enjoyed the festivities.

Osula hasn’t had much of a sniff on the pitch this season but led the line against Wimbledon in one of the early rounds and made substitute appearances against Chelsea and Brentford as he played his part in the cup run. He was on the bench for his first final but wasn’t called upon as Eddie Howe turned to the experience of Callum Wilson and Emil Krafth to see the game out when Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy’s race was run.

The young forward is a popular figure in the dressing room, and clearly loved every minute of his first taste of success.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s one-finger salute to critics

The Saudi-led takeover of 2021 wasn’t without controversy. Allegations of political interference, sportswashing and the appalling human rights record in the country - and the separation between those who rule the country and own Newcastle United remains a source of contention.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s appearance on the pitch as the celebrations got into full swing caused a bit of a stir with some critics and pundits on social media. That's a discussion for another day - and it does need to be addressed. But it was a different story among the 31,000 Newcastle fans bouncing in Wembley in the immediate aftermath, however, who were delighted to see that the first step of the PiF promise had been delivered. Less than four years in and already they’d managed something previous owners hadn’t for 56 years.

And they’ll hope it’s just the start. As he held the cup aloft, showcasing it to revellers, a small gesture was spotted. Al-Rumayyan raised one finger and mouthed ‘this is the first one’ to fans.

The hope now is that the floodgates will open. If it’s another half-century wait for silverware they’ll feel they have failed.

Jacob Murphy’s solo celebration - and Sela Cup moment

Remember when Newcastle ‘won’ the Sela Cup in 2023 and Jacob Murphy celebrated as if it was the World Cup? It may have been tongue-in-cheek at the time, but the United winger renacted his famous trophy moment with the Carabao Cup as Newcastle paraded the trophy around Wembley, much to the delight of the thousands still inside the famous stadium.

A little earlier Murphy, a boyhood United fan, had played a key part in the second goal, heading Tino Livramento’s cross into the path of Alexander Isak for the crucial second. As the players rushed to celebrate with the Swede, Murphy went into a frenzied spin all of his own before joining the rest. It was a special moment, and one for us all who grew up with black-and-white hearts.

Wembley balcony hugs

Andy Carroll has seen the highs and lows at Newcastle United, so it was fitting the Geordie striker was at Wembley to witness his old side clinch the trophy, And in what was a touching moment, he was on hand to greet his former team-mates as they came down from the balcony after lifting the trophy.

There were hugs from the likes of Martin Dubravka and Callum Wilson who played alongside the big striker during his second spell at the club. They’ve been through the tough times - which made this success all the sweeter.

Neville’s Wembley admission

Anyone inside Wembley wouldn’t have heard it, and you can bet it was lost to the majority of United fans watching on TV at home and around the pubs and big events on Tyneside. But beneath the deafening cheers which followed Dan Burn’s glorious opening goal came a statement from Gary Neville which summed up just what it meant.

“The Newcastle fans have gone wild, I’ve never felt Wembley shake like this before,” Neville said on co-commentary duty with Peter Drury. That’s quite something considering how many times the experienced broadcaster has covered games at the famous stadium. But then it was the first time he had seen Newcastle score there.

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.