Newcastle Beat Liverpool to End 70-Year Carabao Cup Drought
Newcastle United ended their 70-year trophy drought by defeating Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday evening. This victory marks their first domestic title since the FA Cup win in 1955.
First Half: A Cautious Start, Burn’s Crucial Goal
The match began cautiously, with both teams struggling to create any real chances early on. Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy had the first attempt, sending a long-range shot wide in the 14th minute.
The first real opportunity came in the 24th minute, as Alexander Isak linked up with Sandro Tonali, but Tonali’s shot went wide of the far post. Newcastle kept the pressure on, and in the 35th minute, a free kick reached Danny Burn, whose header was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
In the dying seconds of the first half, Newcastle took the lead. Burn scored a header in the 45th minute, following a high corner from Kieran Trippier, sending Newcastle into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
Second Half: Isak’s Goal and Liverpool’s Late Fightback
Liverpool began the second half with more intensity and created an early chance, but Joelinton made a vital block in the 48th minute. Isak thought he had doubled Newcastle’s lead in the 51st minute, but his goal was ruled offside after a VAR review.
Newcastle didn’t waste much time, however. In the 53rd minute, Isak scored his second of the game, making it 2-0 to the Magpies after a well-timed pass from Murphy.
Liverpool fought back with a few changes, bringing on Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones. Despite a strong effort, they couldn’t convert their chances. A miraculous save from Nick Pope denied Jones in the 59th minute, and Joelinton made another key block to stop Andy Robertson’s close-range shot in the 62nd minute.
Late Drama: Chiesa’s Consolation Goal
Newcastle had a chance to extend their lead in the 64th minute, but Isak’s shot was saved by Kelleher. As time wound down, Liverpool managed to pull one back in stoppage time, with Federico Chiesa scoring in the 90+4 minute. However, the goal was reviewed for offside before being confirmed.
The final minutes passed without any more action, and the referee blew the whistle to confirm Newcastle’s 2-1 victory, securing their first Carabao Cup in 70 years.
