Newcastle beat Liverpool to clinch first major domestic trophy in 70 years

Dan Burn and Alexander Isak scored either side of the half-time break to help Newcastle United stun Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final and win their first major trophy in 70 years.

Burn was called into Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad and marked the occasion with a well-taken goal. The giant defender escaped the attention of Liverpool’s defenders to head home a Kieran Trippier corner moments before the break.

Newcastle thought they had a second goal just five minutes into the second half, with Isak tapping home a rebound. Their celebrations were cut short, though, with Bruno Guimaraes ruled to be offside and interfering with play while stood in front of Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Eddie Howe’s side didn’t feel sorry for themselves, though, with Isak making no mistake just two minutes on from that disallowed effort. Liverpool might be way out in front in the league, but a stoppage-time goal from Federico Chiesa was too little, too late for Arne Slot’s Reds.

The end of the first half is so often spoken of as the best time to score, and so it proved. Newcastle were on top from the moment Burn headed them in front. After Isak made it two, Newcastle could sense a first trophy since the 1969 Fairs Cup – and a first major domestic honour since the 1955 FA Cup – was within touching distance.

With an international break just around the corner, Newcastle will have time for their win to really soak in while Liverpool need to use the time to regroup ahead of the league run-in. Here are Mirror Football’s talking points from Wembley.

Salah subdued

Mohamed Salah has been the Premier League’s stand-out player this season by most people’s estimations, but he was made to wait for any sniff of an opportunity against Newcastle. The Egyptian scored twice at St James’ Park before Christmas but was a peripheral figure in the opening half hour.

In first-half stoppage-time, he showed what he can do given even half a chance. Newcastle were grateful that his outside-of-the-boot cross didn’t lead to a goal, with Diogo Jota unable to find the target after the ball dropped to him in the box.

For all Salah’s brilliance, his fellow forwards have been far less prolific of late. He can only do so much on his own, but he cut a lonely figure for much of the game.