Newcastle have won their first major domestic trophy since 1955 courtesy of a deserved 2-1 victory over a limp and lifeless Liverpool side at Wembley.
Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak either side of half time propelled the Magpies to a famous triumph under the arch, bringing Eddie Howe's side silverware for the first time in 70 years.
Meanwhile, defending champions, all-time record winners and runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool were a shadow of the team that has been so impressive under Arne Slot so far this season, with Federico Chiesa's late goal back more than they deserved having failed to offer any serious attacking threat prior to that.
It did, however, make for a nervy ending for those Newcastle fans so accustomed to falling short on their rare previous trips to Wembley, but they held on for the remainder of stoppage time to end their hoodoo at the national stadium and produce a night that will live long in the memories of anyone in black and white.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Barney Corkhill, live from Wembley:
It got a little bit jittery at the end for Newcastle, but there is no doubting that they were far and away the better side at Wembley.
The Magpies travelled down to London in their thousands and there was a clear sense that this was a much bigger occasion for them than it was for a Liverpool side with the Premier League title already almost in the bag.
It felt that way in the stands, and it felt that way on the pitch too, with Liverpool not even registering their first shot or touch in the Newcastle box until first-half stoppage time.
This will go down in history for Newcastle, and it is the greatest triumph most of their supporters will have experienced in their lifetimes - the outpouring of jubilation at the full-time whistle said it all for a group of supporters who have been through far more bad times than good in the 70 years since their last trophy.
For Liverpool, barring a collapse of monumental proportions in the Premier League, this will still be a memorable season for them too regardless of today's result, or of their midweek Champions League exit.
Slot's side were really poor today and that will need to be addressed in time, but this is Newcastle's day and they have every right to celebrate now.
LIVERPOOL VS. NEWCASTLE HIGHLIGHTS
35th min: Bruno Guimaraes chance
The first hint of a real chance in a cagey match so far falls to Newcastle, as Dan Burn rises highest in the area to meet a corner and Bruno Guimaraes flicks his knockdown towards goal.
Caoimhin Kelleher does not have a huge amount of time to react, but fortunately it is straight at him and he makes a relatively comfortable save.
Dan Burn goal vs. Liverpool (45th min, Liverpool 0-1 Newcastle)
"It's the boy from Blyth!"
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 16, 2025
A bullet header from Dan Burn! 💥 pic.twitter.com/TWjNryvqeu
Right at the end of a first half which, quite frankly, has thrown up very few talking points, Dan Burn sends the Newcastle end into raptures.
The 6 foot 5 centre-back doesn't need to climb any higher to tower over anyone, but he leaps like a salmon here before planting a brilliant header into the bottom corner.
What a week for the Newcastle man, who opens the scoring just two days after earning his first England call-up!
Diogo Jota chance (45+2 mins, Liverpool 0-1 Newcastle)
Diogo Jota blazes wide on the stroke of half-time! pic.twitter.com/1aSWLHoG8f
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 16, 2025
The first glimmer of even half a chance for Liverpool comes right at the end of the half as they search for an immediate response, but having momentarily found a slither of space inside the box, Jota skews his effort well off target.
Alexander Isak disallowed goal (51st min, Liverpool 0-1 Newcastle)
Alexander Isak has the ball in the Liverpool net for a second time but the flag is up! ❌ pic.twitter.com/76wturG1bG
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 16, 2025
Newcastle fans think they have a second early in the second half, but the flag is up to instantly dampen the celebrations.
Isak had tapped in at the far post after Kelleher's save from a Burn effort fell into his path, but the offside flag denies them.
Alexander Isak goal vs. Liverpool (53rd min, Liverpool 0-2 Newcastle)
"Now they're BELIEVING!" 🎙️
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 16, 2025
Alexander Isak doubles the Newcastle lead at Wembley 🤯 pic.twitter.com/sUlyVIX5Ul
Isak will not be denied this time! Livramento loops a cross in from the left and Jacob Murphy dominates Andrew Robertson in the air to knock it down for Isak, who sweeps it home!
It is bedlam in the Newcastle end, and a first major domestic trophy for seven decades is now within touching distance!
Curtis Jones chance (59 mins, Liverpool 0-2 Newcastle)
What a save, Nick Pope! 🧤 pic.twitter.com/Va2vt4VHKL
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 16, 2025
Big chance for Jones just after coming on!
Liverpool come sweeping forward and Szoboszlai lays the ball back for the sub, but his strike is central and Nick Pope sticks up a big arm to turn it over the crossbar.
Federico Chiesa goal vs. Newcastle (90+4 min, Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle)
Federico Chiesa pulls one back for Liverpool! 🔴
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 16, 2025
Can they find another? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zhLDhViOd2
Wait a minute - this one might not be over yet!
Four minutes into eight added on, and Chiesa streaks through on goal before slipping his finish past Nick Pope. The linesman's flag is up, but VAR shows that he was onside, and Liverpool have a very late glimmer of hope!
MAN OF THE MATCH - DAN BURN
© Imago
Called up to the England squad on Friday, goalscorer and man of the match in the League Cup final on the Sunday - it has been quite the weekend for Dan Burn.
The towering defender's name will be written in Newcastle folklore forever courtesy of his opening goal on the stroke of half time, ending the Magpies' Wembley goal drought, and he was involved in a number of other attacking moments too.
Burn did his job at the other end brilliantly too, with his tenacity and aggression in defence contributing to Liverpool barely having a sniff going forward.
LIVERPOOL VS. NEWCASTLE MATCH STATS
Possession: Liverpool 66%-34% Newcastle
Shots: Liverpool 7-17 Newcastle
Shots on target: Liverpool 2-6 Newcastle
Corners: Liverpool 4-9 Newcastle
Fouls: Liverpool 14-10 Newcastle
BEST STATS
32 - Dan Burn (32y 311d) is the third-oldest Englishman to score in a League Cup final, after Stoke's George Eastham in 1972 (35y 163d) and John Terry for Chelsea in 2015 (34y 84d). Culmination. pic.twitter.com/iAOrUhrK9n
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 16, 2025
8 - Jacob Murphy has assisted Alexander Isak eight times for Newcastle this season; the most by any Premier League player for a teammate across all competitions. Link-up. pic.twitter.com/q50uq2HtAX
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 16, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
For Newcastle - party time. They will enjoy a first trophy in 70 years first and foremost, before their players depart for international duty. Eddie Howe's men will take to the field as League Cup champions for the first time when they host Brentford on April 2, at which point their push for a Champions League football will again be the main focus.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will welcome the international break after what has been a miserable week that has seen a potential treble evaporate and left them fighting on just one front. The Premier League title at least looks inevitable, and they will hope to take another step towards that when they welcome Everton across Stanley Park for the final Merseyside derby of the season on April 2.
Barney Corkhill
