Eddie Howe made a ‘big thing’ about Newcastle United’s physical statistics dipping in recent weeks during his half-time team talk as the Magpies ended their long wait to win a major domestic trophy.
Newcastle went into the break 1-0 up against Liverpool in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, courtesy of a thumping header from Dan Burn, but Howe was certainly not getting carried away at Wembley. Newcastle, after all, had let Nottingham Forest back into the game last month, despite going into half-time 4-1 up, while the Magpies conceded a killer second goal midway through the second half at Anfield just a few weeks ago. Going forward, too, Newcastle had only bagged a single goal after the break in their previous five matches.
Newcastle simply could not afford to try and settle for a 1-0 against the Premier League leaders and cup holders, and the black-and-whites quickly doubled their lead in the 52nd minute through Alexander Isak. It ended up proving a crucial strike after Liverpool substitute Federico Chiesa pulled one back in stoppage time and Burn hailed Howe’s input at the break.
“The manager did make a big thing about that at half-time,” the Geordie revealed. “He pulled up a slide that showed our physical stats from the last six or seven games and that it dipped massively in that first 15 minutes of the second half.
“I think we have been guilty of protecting leads in the past, but we just wanted not to take a backward step and to really push forward. I thought, for a large part of that, we defended really well.”
The numbers don’t lie in that regard. Newcastle limited Liverpool to only two efforts on target while this was just the third game where Mohamed Salah failed to either take a shot or create a chance for the Reds in his seven-and-a-half years at the club. Newcastle won 13 more duels than Liverpool and Arne Slot recognised that his side had been ‘outplayed in their style’.
Newcastle United Carabao Cup WINNERS 2024/25
At last, Newcastle have their hands on silverware!
After an agonising 56-year wait, the Magpies’ amazing army of fans can celebrate watching their side lift a trophy after their Carabao Cup final win. And to celebrate, the Newcastle Chronicle have produced this souvenir special, marking the Wembley triumph.
It is packed full of reaction, analysis and quotes as well as amazing pictures from the day, and a centre-spread poster.
It is the perfect souvenir of an historic day for Newcastle.
Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in the North East from March 20, 2025.
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