Newcastle ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy as they claimed a deserved 2-1 over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Dan Burn's first-half header and an Alexander Isak goal capped a dominant performance for Eddie Howe's side, whose victory never looked in doubt even after conceding a late goal to Federico Chiesa.

Inevitably, the full-time whistle sparked emotional scenes in the Newcastle end of the stadium as they celebrated their lengthy drought finally being over.

As for Liverpool, they must now refocus on securing a Premier League title that still looks guaranteed given the size of their lead at the top.


How the game unfolded

There had been talk in the build-up of Newcastle potentially feeling the nerves as they looked to end a 56-year trophy drought since 1969's Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, but there was little sign of that in the opening exchanges.

Harvey Barnes went close in poking a low cross wide of the post early doors, before Sandro Tonali curled wide from just outside the box.

Caoimhin Kelleher then needed to be sharp to smother the ball at Bruno Guimaraes' feet after a corner, and both Alexander Isak and Kieran Trippier saw shots blocked in quick succession.

Newcastle might have been starting to feel that their breakthrough might not come, but they finally kicked down the door on the stroke of half-time.

The goal came courtesy of Burn, who rose brilliantly to head a Trippier corner back across goal and into the far corner to spark elation at the other end of Wembley.

And that Liverpool's response saw them muster their first shot of the half - a poor Diogo Jota effort that went well wide - summed up how the game had gone up to the break.

The early moments of the second half suggested the Reds might build on that, with only a sliding Joelinton challenge preventing Luis Diaz from getting on the end of a Jota cutback.

But they were given a narrow let-off when Isak's tap-in after a corner was disallowed from for a marginal offisde, and then quickly found themselves 2-0 down anyway.

Inevitably, it was the Swede who got it, sweeping home after Murphy had nodded a Tino Livramento cross into his path.

Liverpool registered their first shot on target soon after as Curtis Jones looked to finish off a fine back-to-front move, but even then they found Newcastle keeper Nick Pope ready to powerfully push the ball over.

In a desperate attempt to change things as the clock ticked down, Arne Slot turned to the fit-again Cody Gakpo and rarely seen this season Chiesa.

And it was Chiesa who sparked hopes of a late comeback as he finished smartly after running in behind, a lengthy VAR check confirming the Italian as onside.

But the Reds could not fashion another opportunity in the remaining minutes, allowing Newcastle to see out a win that ensures their players' names are written in history.


Newcastle simply wanted it more

Dan Burn, Fabian Schaer
Newcastle had more fight / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Football analysis does not get much more rudimentary, but surely this was a case where one side simply did want it more than the other.

From the first whistle, Newcastle snapped into challenges, covered every blade of grass, and did not let an opponent who have romped the Premier League this season to play well.

And that was illustrated in the Magpies winning 51 duels to their opponents' 38 across the 90 minutes at Wembley.

Perhaps the fact that Liverpool were going for a third Carabao Cup win in four years meant they couldn't match that intensity, but there is no question it was the decisive factor.


Another opportunity to learn for Slot

Arne Slot
Arne Slot has lost his first Liverpool final / Sports Press Photo/GettyImages

Anybody suggesting that Liverpool should be disappointed with winning just the Premier League title this season might wish to look at where the club was predicted to finish by many pundits in August.

Still, if Arne Slot wants to turn this team into one that can challenge for more in the years ahead, then the last week has been a helpful guide.

Against PSG, the Reds' attack looked a step down from that of the true elite found in the Champions League, while here they were overpowered by a far more physical team in a fashion that has been seen on occasion this term.

If Slot wishes to make the best use of these back-to-back disappointments, then he must take the lessons and apply them to the coming summer.


Can this convince Isak to stay?

Alexander Isak
Alex Isak is linked with a big money transfer / Harriet Massey/GettyImages

For all the talk that Alexander Isak might wish to leave Newcastle this summer, it should not be forgotten that there are three more seasons remaining on his contract.

But what can truly strengthen the Magpies' hand is showing that they are a club destined for sucess in the coming years, and there is no better way of doing that than winning trophies.

If that can be combined with securing Champions League qualification then you have to wonder why the Swede wouldn't stick around for a little while longer.

He certainly did not look desperate to leave as he celebrated with delirious Geordies after scoring the goal that won it.


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