Newcastle United’s resurgence under Eddie Howe and the Saudi Public Investment Fund has been nothing short of remarkable. After securing a long-awaited return to the Champions League in 2023, the Magpies still sought silverware. Their 2023 Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester United was a bitter blow, but just two years later, they ended their seven-decade wait for a trophy by stunning Liverpool at Wembley. The dramatic victory caused an upset in sports betting markets on sites like LiveScore Bet.
Without further ado, let’s take a look back at how Newcastle navigated their way to becoming Carabao Cup winners.
Third Round – AFC Wimbledon
Newcastle entered the competition in the third round, hosting League Two side AFC Wimbledon at St. James’ Park.
On paper, it was expected to be a routine victory, but the visitors proved resilient. A first-half penalty from Fabian Schar was all that separated the sides in a narrow 1-0 win, ensuring the Magpies progressed with minimal fuss.
Fourth Round – Chelsea
The fourth round saw a significant step up in opposition as Newcastle faced Chelsea, five-time winners of the competition. Despite the Blues’ pedigree, Howe’s men dominated the encounter, securing a 2-0 victory. Alexander Isak struck in the 23rd minute to give Newcastle the lead before Axel Disasi’s own goal just three minutes later effectively ended Chelsea’s hopes.
Quarter-Finals – Brentford
Another London club, Brentford, travelled to St. James’ Park for the quarter-finals, but they fared no better than Chelsea. Sandro Tonali’s brace gave Newcastle a commanding lead before half-time, and Schar’s second-half strike put the tie beyond doubt. A late Yoane Wissa goal provided a consolation for the Bees, but Newcastle’s 3-1 triumph highlighted their growing confidence.
Semi-Finals – Arsenal
The semi-final draw pitted Newcastle against Arsenal in a two-legged showdown, presenting their toughest challenge yet.
The first leg at the Emirates Stadium saw the Magpies deliver a statement performance, stunning the hosts with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Isak and Anthony Gordon.
The return leg at St. James’ Park saw an early Jacob Murphy strike extend Newcastle’s advantage, before Gordon added another in the second half, sealing a dominant 4-0 aggregate win. The result underlined the Magpies’ credentials as serious contenders.
Final – Liverpool
Awaiting Newcastle in the final were Liverpool, with many expecting Arne Slot’s side to claim their first trophy under the Dutchman and boost their domestic dominance. However, Newcastle had other plans. The Magpies capitalised on a weary Liverpool side, who were still recovering from a gruelling Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties just days earlier.
Geordie lad Dan Burn sent the Newcastle fans into raptures with a powerful header before half-time, giving his side a deserved lead. Isak then struck in the 52nd minute to double their advantage, putting them firmly in control. A stoppage-time goal from Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa made for a nervy ending, but Newcastle held firm to secure a historic 2-1 victory and lift the Carabao Cup for the first time.
