THE MAGPIES HAVE WON A SILVERWARE

 

Image Credit- BBC.

With a well-earned victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, Newcastle United won their first domestic trophy in 70 years and broke a major trophy drought that dated way back to 1969. Dan Burn's and Alexander Isak's goals on either side of halftime threw the Toon Army into a frenzy, setting them up for a victory that will make manager Eddie Howe and his team living legends in Tyneside. 

Newcastle's strategy in their past meetings against Liverpool this season have been to strike them on the break and frustrate them in the remaining time. However, Howe seemed confident enough to take full advantage of the present situation by pushing the Reds high after facing a team that had endured the mental and physical strain of playing PSG in the middle of the week. Newcastle's top three set the tone with their speed and enthusiasm, but the true struggle was won in midfield. Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, both Brazilians, dominated the middle of the park, engaging in 27 duels and winning nine apiece, which was the greatest record of any player on the field. Throughout the game, Newcastle was more energetic and dangerous than a sluggish Liverpool, but the last few seconds annoyed everyone in black and white when the video assistant referee ruled Chiesa's goal offside after much consideration. 

 Remarkably Burn, a boyhood Newcastle supporter capped off the best week of his career by opening the score by taking advantage of lax Liverpool marking. Isak provided Newcastle much-needed breathing room after the half with a brilliantly taken goal that extended the Magpies' lead.

Notably when the final whistle was blown, no one could believe that what has happened: Newcastle defeated Liverpool to break their lengthy trophy drought and snap a ten-year losing streak against the mighty Reds. Almost no one has been able to make a team with a 12-point advantage at the top of the Premier League look more ordinary this season than they did. Interestingly with this victory, Newcastle has ended nine straight Wembley losses and the dreary years since they won the FA Cup 70 years ago, marking a historic event. Inside Wembley, it kicked off the party of all parties, which would surely continue all the way back to Tyneside.