Emotions ran high as Newcastle United celebrated a long-awaited victory, breaking a 56-year streak of disappointment on the iconic Wembley stage that has loomed over them for decades.
As referee John Brooks blew the final whistle, signalling a 2-1 victory for Newcastle in the Carabao Cup against Liverpool, an overwhelming wave of black-and-white celebration surged through the stadium. This marked a significant turnaround after nine consecutive defeats since the club’s last FA Cup triumph in 1955.
The prolonged anticipation has finally come to a close. After a lengthy 56-year drought, Tyneside has finally welcomed a major trophy, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, which has long since faded into history. This period has seen the club become a target for ridicule, often serving as a source of amusement for rival fans.
Following a well-earned victory orchestrated by manager Eddie Howe, who has revitalised the club during a period of prosperity under Saudi Arabian ownership, the long-standing curse has finally been lifted.
Wembley reverberated with an intensity that matched the emotional stakes of the match. Fans were visibly moved, some shedding tears long before the final whistle. Many found themselves shielding their eyes, unable to bear the tension as the clock inched towards 100 minutes, culminating in the euphoric moment of victory.
The black-and-white backdrop created by Newcastle’s supporters generated an impressive wall of sound as their jubilant celebrations unfolded to the strains of the North East anthem “Blaydon Races.”
Dan Burn and Alexander Isak found the net on either side of half-time, establishing Newcastle’s deserved control over the match. However, when Federico Chiesa struck back just four minutes into added time, it sparked a flicker of hope for Liverpool that felt unlikely and undeserved, momentarily resurrecting painful memories from previous seasons.
As the clock wound down, the atmosphere at the Newcastle end reached a fever pitch. However, Howe’s squad demonstrated remarkable composure in those crucial final moments, effectively neutralising Liverpool’s attempts to mount a comeback.
Howe and his players have etched their names into the annals of Tyneside history. The Carabao Cup might not rank high on the list of coveted trophies for many, yet for this prominent club and its passionate supporters, this victory holds immense significance.
The manager could soon be presented with a statue at St James’ Park, joining the esteemed figures of Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer. The latter shared in every memorable moment at Wembley alongside the passionate supporters of the Toon Army.
Howe has made history as the first English manager to secure either the FA Cup or League Cup since Harry Redknapp achieved the FA Cup victory with Portsmouth in 2008. He marks a historic achievement as the first English manager to secure this trophy since Steve McClaren led Middlesbrough to win in 2004.
Newcastle appeared to have absorbed all the lessons from their defeat to Manchester United in the final two years prior. This time, they had prepared themselves thoroughly, and they met the challenge head-on.
The Toon Army stood poised for action. The straightforward directive of “Get Into Them,” prominently displayed on a flag before the match commenced, was executed perfectly.
The atmosphere was charged with an incessant, thunderous roar from supporters who had long awaited this moment.
At Wembley, tales of Newcastle emerged amidst the swirling ticker tape of jubilation.
Burn marked a remarkable few days in his career, making his first England call-up at the age of 32 and then scoring with a powerful header from Kieran Trippier’s corner to break the deadlock in first-half stoppage time.
He capitalised on Liverpool’s puzzling strategy of assigning Alexis Mac Allister, a player nearly a foot shorter, to mark him—a tactic that persisted into the second half.
As the iconic theme from the film Local Hero echoed through Wembley, blending with the jubilant atmosphere, it resonated as a tribute to Blyth-born Burn, a lifelong supporter whose legacy will be forever immortalised in the annals of Newcastle’s history.
Before the match, Isak was heralded as Newcastle’s possible game-changer. He demonstrated remarkable agility and precision in a decisive moment, capitalising on Jacob Murphy’s knockdown to secure a goal with lethal efficiency.
In a surprising turn of events, Joelinton emerged as a key figure. The Brazilian emerged as the standout performer on the pitch, showcasing impressive speed and aggression in tackles. He often raised his fists in a show of defiance towards Newcastle’s supporters.
Howe deserves significant recognition for another exemplary display of management and strategic acumen.
In November 2021, he took over from Steve Bruce as Newcastle’s manager. After 11 matches, the team was in 19th place in the Premier League, five points adrift of safety.
Howe led Newcastle to a Champions League finish last season, but this achievement is the pinnacle of his success. Since the previous trophy success, Newcastle has seen 31 managers take charge of at least one game.
The 47-year-old has successfully navigated a challenge that has thwarted countless others.
Howe’s team showcased a robust defensive strategy that effectively minimised the impact of Liverpool’s star player, Mohamed Salah, relegating him to a secondary role in the match.
In a match where he was given a starting opportunity for just the third time, he could not register a shot or generate a chance for Liverpool. This follows his previous appearances in a League Cup clash against Arsenal, where he played for 61 minutes, and the first leg of the Champions League last-16 encounter with Paris St-Germain, where he was taken off with four minutes remaining.
Newcastle demonstrated their dominance, overpowering a Liverpool side that appeared sluggish and out of sync. This defeat further compounds the disappointment of their recent midweek exit from the Champions League against PSG, where they fell short in a penalty shootout.
Howe, the leader and hero of this triumph, typically known for his composed demeanour, acknowledged that he too had been drawn into the significance of this occasion – a moment that transcended a mere football club to resonate deeply with the city itself.
He expressed, “I am feeling extremely emotional throughout the day, which is quite unusual for me.” The stakes were clear for our dedicated fanbase. The aim was precise: to honour their legacy and secure the coveted trophy. The outcome and performance have left me thoroughly satisfied. Despite feeling deserving of victory, the challenge intensified when Liverpool found the back of the net. Contemplating the concept of extra time has crossed my mind. We consistently create challenges for ourselves. The outcome was never destined to be 2-0.
Howe stated, “We were well aware of history.” The aim was to honour the club’s legacy. The objective was to achieve a goal. The desire to perform and secure victory was palpable among the team. We are pioneering new territory. The sentiment expressed was one of grandeur and excellence.
Howe expressed his astonishment at Burn’s performance: “We dedicated two weeks to practising set-plays specifically for this match, and if you had observed our training sessions, you would have thought we had no chance.” It was astonishing to witness Dan Burn finding the back of the net. He has not been trained in that manner.
This triumph extended beyond the realm of a mere football club and its supporters. The city celebrated a long-awaited victory, marking 56 years since it last experienced such a momentous occasion.
The long-awaited celebration is set to journey from Tyneside to Wembley, marking a day that promises to be etched in Geordies’ memories for years to come.
