What Liverpool did before Newcastle United trophy lift spoke volumes as pundits embarrassed

Geordies have cried at Wembley before, of course, but this was different. Following years of pain and heartache under the arch, Newcastle United fans shed tears of joy as Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier lifted the Carabao Cup into the night sky.

These players, in the process, have achieved what so many before them visualised: ending the drought and firing Newcastle to a major domestic trophy for the first time since 1955. Whatever happens in the future, Sunday's superb 2-1 win against Liverpool will never be forgotten.

No wonder goal scorer Dan Burn did not want to go to sleep. The boyhood Newcastle fan felt like he was dreaming. Bruno, similarly, wept with pride as the Magpies captain declared: "People have died, people have grown up and not seen Newcastle as champions. Now they see we are here to make history."

Newcastle did so in mightily impressive fashion. The black-and-whites defeated each of the sides who currently make up the top four along the way and beat Liverpool, the league leaders and cup holders, in the final without three key players in Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon. That is a statement worth repeating.

To think Newcastle had been written off by so many. Jamie Carragher pointed out that Newcastle did not have the cup-winning tradition that Liverpool possessed. Gary Neville could not foresee how Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah did not get their hands back on the trophy because Newcastle 'never play well at Wembley'.

However, this was not the Newcastle of old - this was the latest chapter in a new era under Eddie Howe. Rather than being weighed down by the past, Newcastle have broken free of those shackles and proved they can mix it with the very best.

After all, this was not a smash and grab win or a backs-to-the-wall display against the best side in the country and it was rather telling that Liverpool had no complaints. On the contrary. After collecting his runners-up medal, Cody Gakpo was among those who personally went around to congratulate the winners. Arne Slot even sportingly waited behind to shake the hand of every Newcastle player as they climbed the steps after recognising that Liverpool had been 'outplayed in their style'. How often do you hear the Liverpool boss say that?

Yet it was not an exaggeration. Newcastle limited Liverpool to just two measly shots on target and even won 17 more duels, which showed how much the black-and-whites wanted it. Sandro Tonali burst past van Dijk and knocked the giant Liverpool captain to the ground at one point while Joelinton let out a primal scream and celebrated like he had scored a goal after winning a free-kick for his side on another occasion.

"We couldn't leave anything in the tank," the Brazil international declared. That's for sure. This was Newcastle's side's finest hour. Howe's side showed no fear.

"We respect Liverpool, but I don't think you can go on the pitch and fear anybody," the Newcastle boss told reporters. "You have to really believe in yourself and I felt we did today. The players knew this was the moment."

That was clear from the off. Unlike a couple of years ago, when Newcastle found themselves with a mountain to climb at half-time, against Manchester United, the Magpies made an assured start at Wembley. Not only were Newcastle aggressive all over the park - the black-and-whites pushed for an opener after locking Liverpool out at the other end.

Tonali's long-range effort whistled just past the post. Trippier had a shot blocked by Andy Robertson inside the box. Bruno saw a flick-on gratefully claimed by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Newcastle were knocking in the door and the Magpies opened the scoring just before half-time. It was a goal a fortnight in the making - Newcastle had worked on set-plays with this game in mind - and Kieran Trippier stepped up to take the corner kick. The veteran's floated delivery was met by Dan Burn, who produced a thumping header that the watching Alan Shearer would have been proud of to send Geordies into dreamland.

A goal at the national stadium had been a long time coming for Newcastle - a quarter of a century to be precise - and there was a huge release. Even Gary Neville, on the gantry, remarked how 'he had never felt Wembley shake' quite like that.

Going behind appeared to momentarily spark Liverpool into life as the holders looked to respond, in stoppage time, but Diogo Jota could only fire wide following Luis Diaz's knockdown inside the box. Remarkably, blunt Liverpool failed to muster a single shot on target in the first half.

Liverpool did not exactly come roaring back after the break, either. In fact, it was Newcastle who doubled their lead not long after the second half had got back under way.

There were 52 minutes on the clock when Tino Livramento's powerful cross was headed down by Jacob Murphy and there was Isak to swipe home right in front of the sea of black and white behind the goal. If they were left in disbelief following Burn's opener, they certainly started to believe after going 2-0 up.

Isak's strike was the cue for Slot to turn to his bench and it was a substitute Curtis Jones who finally tested Nick Pope midway through the second half. However, the Newcastle goalkeeper stood tall and punched Jones' effort over the bar.

In truth, it was Kelleher who was the busier of the 'keepers as Newcastle pushed for a killer third and the Ireland number one had to get down to claw away Isak's effort while Murphy sent a shot wide late on. However, it would not have been Newcastle without some late drama and there was still time for a final twist in stoppage time after Federico Chiesa pulled one back for Liverpool following a VAR check. But this was Newcastle's night. At long last.

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.