Burn and Isak secure EFL Cup glory to end 70-year drought

Newcastle United finally ended their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy as they produced an outstanding EFL Cup final performance to beat Premier League leaders Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley.

The Magpies were seen as underdogs for their second EFL Cup final in three years, Newcastle having lost 2-0 to Manchester United on the same stage two years ago.

But they rose to the occasion this time around to write themselves into Newcastle folklore, a first-half header from Dan Burn followed up by a superb second from star striker Alexander Isak.

Federico Chiesa frayed the Newcastle nerves with a late reply, but Eddie Howe’s men clung on to claim a deserved victory and put to bed the ghosts that have haunted the club for decades.

WE HAVE DONE IT!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/YZ9bMDYRCG

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 16, 2025

Liverpool v Newcastle

Newcastle created the better chances throughout the first half, Sandro Tonali bending an effort wide of the right-hand post and Bruno Guimaraes’ cushioned header from close range too soft to trouble Caoimhín Kelleher.

Liverpool had an appeal for a penalty waved away by referee John Brooks and cleared by VAR after Kieran Trippier handled in the area under pressure from Luis Diaz. Trippier’s arm was outstretched, but VAR ruled he was using it for balance.

Soon after that reprieve, Newcastle got the goal their first-half performance deserved when Burn, a consistent threat at corners in the opening 45 minutes, powered Trippier’s deep delivery into the bottom-left corner with a superb header, the Magpies’ first goal at Wembley for 25 years sending their travelling fans into raptures.

“It’s the boy from Blyth!”

A bullet header from Dan Burn! 💥 pic.twitter.com/TWjNryvqeu

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 16, 2025

Newcastle thought they had a second six minutes into the second half when Isak prodded home from close range after Kelleher kept out Burn’s effort following a corner, only for the linesmen to deem Guimaraes had interfered with play from an offside position.

But just a minute later Isak did have his goal, producing a cultured first-time finish from Jacob Murphy’s knockdown to leave Liverpool with a mountain to climb.

“Now they’re BELIEVING!” 🎙️

Alexander Isak doubles the Newcastle lead at Wembley 🤯 pic.twitter.com/sUlyVIX5Ul

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 16, 2025

Arne Slot responded by throwing on Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez and Jones almost halved the deficit, his vicious effort tipped over by Nick Pope.

But Kelleher performed even greater heroics at the other end to deny Isak a brace after Harvey Barnes had done brilliantly to pull the ball back for the Sweden striker.

Barnes and Murphy then saw further opportunities go begging and, as the clock ticked to the halfway point of eight minutes of injury time, Federico Chiesa sprung the Newcastle offside trap and slotted calmly beyond Pope to give Liverpool hope of forcing extra time.

Yet there was to be no remarkable comeback from the would-be Premier League champions, as Newcastle saw out the remaining six minutes of play to spark delirious scenes as they celebrated bringing their tortuous wait to an end.