After an astonishing wait of 70 years, Newcastle United has finally quenched its thirst for triumph. This historic moment arrived when the club, buoyed by Saudi backing, emerged victorious in the English League Cup by edging out Liverpool with a 2-1 win on Sunday. This triumph not only signifies the breaking of a lengthy trophy drought for the club but also rekindles the spirit and dreams of an entire city.
The game unfolded at Wembley, where Dan Burn and Alexander Isak made their mark in the score sheet on either side of halftime. Even though Federico Chiesa’s late goal for Liverpool hinted at a thrilling finish, the Magpies held firm, ensuring no further interruptions to their celebration. “After 70 years, we can now say we are the champions again,” echoed a teary-eyed Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle’s captain, encapsulating the raw emotion of the moment. “It’s truly one of the best days of my life.”
Looking back, Newcastle’s last major domestic success came in 1955 with the FA Cup. Fast forward to 1969, they added the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup to their cabinet, but post that, victory seemed to have evaded their grasp—until now. This achievement marked the first silverware since the club’s acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in 2021, a move anticipated to transform the club’s legacy.
Dan Burn sparked celebrations with a commanding header before halftime, setting the stage for Isak, who extended their lead with a precise effort in the 52nd minute. Chiesa’s late strike introduced an element of anxiety, but Newcastle’s resolve saw them through, stirring jubilation among their fans who have long endured the club’s barren spells.
Contrast this with Liverpool’s aspirations this season. Despite commanding a 12-point lead over Arsenal at the Premier League summit and closing in on a record-equalling 20th English title, their coach Arne Slot was left waiting for his maiden trophy. Their loss not only ended their League Cup journey but compounded a rough week after their exit from the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arne Slot candidly remarked, “It took us 7, 8, 9 months to lose twice in a row. You know the deeper you go into tournaments, the fiercer the opposition. And even Liverpool can lose football games.”
Over the years, Newcastle has seen its share of heartbreaks, losing consecutive FA Cup finals in 1998 and 1999, and recently against Manchester United in the League Cup final two years back. On this memorable occasion, Eddie Howe’s squad was a deserving winner against a Liverpool side that has steamrolled their league opponents throughout the season. “Opportunities like these don’t come often. We had to capitalize and the way our players delivered under pressure was magnificent,” Howe expressed with pride. “It shows that we can hold our own against the very best.”
What does this mean for Newcastle’s future? For the Toon Army, whose anthems resonated throughout Wembley, this victory is just the beginning under their new administration. While Newcastle can boast about being backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with assets around $925 billion, soccer’s financial regulations have curbed their spending spree, resulting in more prudent investment compared to clubs like Manchester City and PSG.
This considered approach saw key acquisitions like Burn and Isak step up when it mattered most. Reflecting on the future, Eddie Howe suggested, “Hopefully with this one triumph, more may follow. There’s no assurance, but this success definitely shows our capability.”
Arsenal Bridging the Gap
Mikel Merino’s Arsenal managed to narrow the points gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to 12, with their 1-0 win over Chelsea. Arsenal’s title campaign has faltered in recent weeks, yet Merino left his mark in the 20th minute, heading in Martin Odegaard’s corner at the Emirates. “All we can do is win our games,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commented. “If we do, we are in a better spot.”
On the flip side, Chelsea missed an opportunity to expand its slim lead over Manchester City. With Arsenal on 58 points, they are now comfortably sitting 10 points clear of four-time champion City.
Manchester United on a Roll
Meanwhile, Manchester United continued their resurgence with a 3-0 triumph over Leicester. Rasmus Hojlund broke his goalless spell to open United’s account. Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes further sealed victory, moving the club to 13th while deepening Leicester’s relegation woes.
However, the victory was marred by Ayden Heaven’s severe injury, a debut promising great potential cut short by misfortune. As I watched the anguish on the team’s faces, I was reminded of the paradox of sport—victory and loss, ecstasy and despair, often intertwined.
Tottenham’s Troubles
Elsewhere, Tottenham’s difficulties continued with a 2-0 defeat at Fulham, mounting pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou. “It’s been a challenging campaign. We’ve let too many games slip away that we could’ve capitalized on,” Postecoglou reflected post-defeat. With their current form, returning from the international break with renewed vigor is crucial.
As Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon’s efforts secured Fulham’s win, they now sit eighth, four points shy of a Champions League spot, leaving Tottenham pondering its path forward.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
