Newcastle United route to history hasn’t been an easy path. The victory over Liverpool – Premier League leaders and one of the best teams in Europe – was a stunning end to a journey that had started way back in August.
Sinkholes, suspect match balls, Aleksander Isak’s goals, Sandro Tonali’s return. Four wins over the Premier League’s top four. Newcastle’s trip to the 2025 Carabao Cup Final was eventful.
But they made it to Wembley, and achieved redemption after the 2023 heartache. Here’s how they did it.
Second Round: (A) Newcastle (4) 1-1 (3) Nottingham Forest – 28/08/24
Sandro Tonali’s long-awaited return from a 10-month betting suspension was the headline, but Newcastle needed penalties to get past Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Joe Willock struck inside 18 seconds after Carlos Miguel parried Alexander Isak’s shot into his path. Tonali, starting for the first time since his ban, almost marked his comeback with a goal three minutes later, only for Miguel to deny him.
Jota Silva’s superb half-volley off the woodwork levelled the tie, and despite Newcastle dominating, Forest held firm. Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, Lewis Hall, and Anthony Gordon all had chances to win it in normal time, but it went to penalties.
Joelinton’s miss gave Forest hope, but Ibrahim Sangaré and Taiwo Awoniyi faltered, leaving Sean Longstaff to convert the winner and book Newcastle’s spot in round three.
Third Round: (H) Newcastle 1-0 Wimbledon – 01/10/24
A drab night at St James’ Park saw Newcastle edge past League Two Wimbledon thanks to a Fabian Schär penalty.
The game was supposed to be played at Plough Lane, but a sinkhole caused by torrential rain forced a venue switch. Newcastle donated £15,000 to repair the damage.
Despite 80% possession, Eddie Howe’s side lacked sharpness. Schär, brought down in the box by Joe Pigott, won and converted the decisive penalty, but that was as eventful as it got.
“Job done,” was Howe’s verdict. His gum-chewing, particularly aggressive on the touchline, told its own story.
Round of 16: (H) Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea – 30/10/24
A much-needed win, as Newcastle snapped a poor run of form to knock out an understrength Chelsea.
Three days earlier, they had lost 2-1 to the same opposition at Stamford Bridge, part of a grim spell that also included a draw at Everton and a defeat to Brighton. But here, Newcastle delivered.
Isak’s cool finish, after Tonali and Joelinton had pressed Renato Veiga into an error, settled early nerves. A second followed as Axel Disasi deflected Joe Willock’s header into his own net from an Isak cross.
Chelsea, without Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, had their moments – João Félix tested Newcastle’s defence – but the Magpies were always in control.
“Despite all Chelsea’s changes, we beat a very good team,” insisted Howe.
Quarter-Final: (H) Newcastle 3-1 Brentford – 18/12/24
Sandro Tonali ran the show as Newcastle cruised into the semi-finals.
With speculation mounting that the Italian could return to Milan, he gave a masterclass, dictating tempo and scoring twice. Howe had begun deploying him in a deeper No.6 role, pushing Bruno Guimarães further forward as he tinkered with ways to fit both into his best XI. The tweak paid off.
Tonali’s first came after Nathan Collins cleared a Tino Livramento cross straight into his path. A crisp right-foot strike did the rest. The game drifted after that, but his second – a cushioned volley from an Anthony Gordon corner – was a moment of class. Joelinton’s decoy run helped make it happen, a clear piece of Jason Tindall planning paying off.
Fabian Schär tapped in a third after a flurry of blocked shots while Yoane Wissa’s late consolation barely registered.
“We’ve got our attacking rhythm back,” beamed Howe. “We’re starting to see the best of Sandro.”
Semi-Final First Leg: (A) Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal – 07/01/25
Newcastle’s biggest statement of the competition, as they stunned Arsenal at the Emirates.
Isak, in the form of his life, tormented Mikel Arteta’s defence, scoring his 10th goal in nine games. He finished emphatically after Sven Botman’s flick and Jacob Murphy’s clever touch set him free.
The 6,000 travelling Geordies, packed into the Clock End were in raptures. Arsenal had 23 attempts but only three on target. Their wastefulness was punished when Isak forced a save from David Raya, and Gordon tapped in the rebound.
Newcastle had arrived at the Emirates on a five-game winning streak. They left with one foot in the final.
Semi-Final Second Leg: (H) Newcastle (4) 2-0 (0) Arsenal – 05/02/25
The Gallowgate faithful greeted Arsenal with a giant “Get Into Them” banner. Newcastle obliged.
Unusually, Howe switched to a back five, perhaps due to Joelinton’s injury. Kieran Trippier, deployed at wing-back, put in a typically streetwise performance.
Isak had an early goal ruled out by VAR, but there was no stopping Newcastle. First, he rattled the post with a 20-yard drive, allowing Murphy to volley home the rebound.
Gordon then sealed it, sliding a shot past Raya after Arsenal’s disastrous attempt to play out from the back early in the second half.
Arteta, already seething after the first leg, had blamed the match ball for their poor performance. The Gallowgate responded in kind, taunting him with chants of: “Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball!”
A comprehensive 4-0 aggregate win. Wembley awaits.
The Final: Wembley. Liverpool 0-1 Newcastle United – 16/03/25
History-makers. The perfect end to an incredible journey as the 70-year wait for a domestic trophy was ended.
Dan Burn’s stunning header just before half-time gave Newcastle a deserved first-half advantage and when Alexander Isak swept home the second – minutes after having an effort chalked off for offside – the Geordie fans were in dreamland.
It could have been more before Federico Chiesa’s 95th-minute strike caused a few nervous moments in the dying embers of the game. When the final whistle finally sounded, legends were born.
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.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sinkhole-dodgy-balls-arsenal-statement-31213798
