Newcastle United secured a historic victory in the Carabao Cup final, defeating Liverpool and ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed the win, with Federico Chiesa netting a late consolation for Liverpool. The Newcastle fans, numbering over 32,000 at Wembley, erupted in celebration at full-time as their long-standing drought came to an end. The triumph also guaranteed the team a place in the UEFA Conference League next season.
The manager praised the players for their performance under pressure, emphasizing that the win was thoroughly deserved. He acknowledged the strength of the opposition, stating that Liverpool had been the best team in the Premier League throughout the season. However, he believed Newcastle was the superior side in the final and expressed immense pride in the team’s effort. He described the victory as an unforgettable moment and emphasized the importance of enjoying the success.
The achievement also marked a milestone for English managers, as this was the first major domestic trophy won by an English coach since 2008. The manager expressed hope that this victory could be the beginning of more success, although he acknowledged the challenges ahead. He highlighted how rare opportunities like these are and commended his players for handling the occasion so well. He also pointed out that the team proved its ability to compete with the very best, setting a new standard for future aspirations.
Key to Newcastle’s triumph was the dominance of their midfield, particularly Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, who outperformed their Liverpool counterparts. The manager praised the squad, suggesting that many of them could become club legends in the years to come. Burn, who opened the scoring, capitalized on Liverpool’s zonal marking to score a powerful header. Reflecting on his week, which also included an England call-up, he humorously remarked that it felt like a dream.
Liverpool, struggling to match Newcastle’s intensity and aggression, endured a difficult end to their week, having also been eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain after a grueling extra-time battle and penalties. The head coach expressed disappointment in both the result and performance, contrasting it with the emotions felt after the PSG match.
He noted that Newcastle controlled the game’s physicality, particularly in aerial duels, which proved decisive. He acknowledged that Newcastle’s style played to their strengths, making it difficult for his side to impose themselves. He also commented on Burn’s remarkable header, admitting he had rarely seen a goal scored with such force from that distance.
Liverpool’s struggles were evident from the moment they conceded the first goal, and they never fully recovered. The second goal further demonstrated Newcastle’s superiority in the air, with a header falling into Isak’s path for the finish. The coach conceded that against a team like Newcastle, who thrive in aerial battles, his side would struggle more often than not.
The victory was a statement of intent for Newcastle, proving that they can compete with the elite and raising expectations for further success in the future.
