Newcastle United ended a long wait for silverware, lifting the Carabao Cup after defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025. The victory marks the first major trophy for the Magpies since the 1955 FA Cup, bringing to end 70 years of disappointment for their loyal supporters.
Dan Burn, the 32-year-old defender and local lad from Blyth, opened the scoring for Newcastle with a powerful header just before halftime from Kieran Trippier's corner. His goal was Newcastle’s first cup final goal since 1976, igniting celebrations among the black and white-clad fans who traveled to London. "What a few days for Dan," commented Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. The victory was particularly memorable for Burn, who had received his first call-up to the England national team just two days prior. "I've had worse weeks. I don’t want to go to sleep because I feel like I’m dreaming and it’s all going to be a lie," Burn told Sky Sports.
Newcastle had dominated the match, showing their intent early on. Despite Liverpool coming off a draining defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, they struggled to create significant chances. Howe emphasized the importance of the game, stating, "Today was the best way to win it. We played the best team in the Premier League by a long way and we were the more deserving team." Defensively, Newcastle was rock solid, preventing Liverpool from scoring, except for Federico Chiesa's late goal during stoppage time.
Alexander Isak added Newcastle’s second goal shortly after the break, finding the net after initially being ruled offside. His goal was made possible by Jacob Murphy's header from Livramento's cross. Liverpool’s response came too late to change the outcome; Chiesa's consolation goal wasn’t enough to revive the Red's chances.
The sense of jubilation from the Newcastle supporters was palpable. More than 32,000 fans witnessed their team finally grasp victory after decades of near misses, including two FA Cup finals and the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United just last year. Supporters had been defined by their struggles, lamenting the long wait for success, but now they could celebrate their team's triumph.
Throughout the match, both the players and the tactical adjustments made by Howe demonstrated how far Newcastle has come since their previous cup final defeat. Speaking about their last two years’ failures, Howe noted they had learned from previous experiences and were mentally prepared this time around. "We tried to take away distractions and make it similar to a Premier League build-up," he explained, praising his team for embodying resilience and determination.
Eddie Howe’s emotions poured out during the post-match press conference, having been soaked by his players after the victory. His joy was clear when he stated, "This is just the beginning, and we will achieve more." For Newcastle, having lifted the iconic trophy, they are sure to aim higher both domestically and on the European stage.
Bruno Guimaraes, the club’s captain and fan favorite, echoed sentiments of pride as he celebrated with supporters. "It’s all for these fans. We can now say we are the champions again. For them, it’s like the World Cup. People have grown up and have not seen us as champions. This is unbelievable. We are making history,” Guimaraes said, visibly emotional after the hard-fought final.
Looking toward the future, Burn will begin preparation with the England national team early on the following Monday morning. His mixture of disbelief and joy is representative of the sentiments shared by fans and players alike. Reflecting on the momentous occasion, he conveyed, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll be first there at 8 o’clock." Such dedication reflects the team spirit and camaraderie within Newcastle United.
Newcastle's resurgence, powered by their passionate supporters and skilled players, can herald the dawn of a new era for the club. Their triumph on March 16 could spark additional success going forward, inspiring the next generation of Magpies to keep striving for excellence. With stars like Burn and Guimaraes leading the charge on the field, Newcastle's future looks bright.