Newcastle United

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Seventy years. That is how long Newcastle United had waited to win another domestic trophy.

And their fans have made up for the seven-decade drought with the way they have celebrated their Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.

There has been jubilation, tears, relief, pride - and most of all just happiness.

But for some - and it does not appear to be a view shared widely amongst Newcastle fans - there is a regret to the win.

And that relates back to the club's £305m Saudi Arabian takeover three years and five months ago.

One of the voices raising concerns is the Newcastle United Fans Against Sportswashing (NUFCFAS) group.

"Newcastle United's victory will also be seen as a victory for the human rights abusing regime and their sportswashing project", the group said in a statement.

"We know that it should be a great day for the city of Newcastle, and many will feel that way, but for us it is unfortunately tainted by the ownership of the club.

"Silence on human rights is complicity in the crimes of the regime which owns our club. This is what sportswashing is all about."

Critics points to Saudi Arabia facing years of criticism over subjects such as:

• Human rights violations

• The repression of women

• The criminalisation of homosexuality

• The restriction of free speech

• The continued use of the death penalty

• The 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

• The imprisonment of activists for online dissent

• The country's involvement in the bloody conflict in Yemen

What do you think Newcastle fans? Do you share these views? Are you bothered by this criticism? Tell us here

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Newcastle United's chief executive Darren Eales has announced the club will celebrate their Carabao Cup win with the fans on Saturday 29 March, with more details to follow.

Reflecting on the triumphant win at Wembley on BBC Radio Newcastle, Eales said: "It was so wonderful for all of the supporters and the whole occasion was wonderful with the scarves and flags and the way the players played from the first minute.

"They were incredible, but at the end you could see what it meant to all of the supporters and this is why we're in the game and involved in football.

"It is all just so exciting and Eddie Howe is just an amazing manager."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Former Newcastle midfielder Rob Lee says Eddie Howe is a "legend" in the city, like all the players in their trophy-winning side.

Lee told BBC Radio 5 Live after Sunday's Carabao Cup win: "Howe has been magnificent. There are not many English managers around at the moment that have won trophies and lots of people have tried.

"In a short space of time he has saved us from relegation, took us to the Champions League, got us to a final two years ago and then got us to a final again and now he has won a trophy. He'll be an absolute legend in Newcastle as all the players will be now."

On the England manager's job Lee added: "As much as I would have hated him to have left Newcastle, if you're thinking of an English manager to manage England there is nobody else but Eddie."

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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It is 6 November 2021 and a 1-1 draw at Brighton leaves Newcastle second bottom of the Premier League and facing the very-real prospect of a return to the Championship.

Weeks earlier, the club had been taken over by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium, who talked up the idea of Champions League football and winning trophies.

Despite the optimism among fans about entering a new era, such thoughts seemed a million miles away.

But watching on in the stands that day against the Seagulls was Eddie Howe, Newcastle's soon-to-be-appointed manager who, in just 18 months, would oversee a return to Europe and has now ended their 70-year-wait for a major trophy after Sunday's 2-1 win against Liverpool at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup.

The peak of Newcastle's transformation during Howe's time at the club was to come on Wednesday, 4 October 2023.

That night St James' Park hosted Champions League football for the first time in more than 20 years and a Paris St-Germain team led by Kylian Mbappe was beaten 4-1.

"This was Newcastle United at their best," BBC Radio Newcastle reporter Matthew Raisbeck said. "It will be talked about forever.

"It showed what they were capable of at that moment but also, hopefully, a glimpse of what can be their reality for years to come."

Ultimately, they struggled to compete in both Europe and the Premier League while also dealing with an injury crisis that saw them without 20 players at some points.

A run of one win in seven games from 7 December until 13 January 2024 even saw some talk of Howe being under pressure but their form improved enough to secure a respectable seventh-place finish.

Inconsistency and injuries were an issue again this season but Newcastle have overcome those to end their long wait for a trophy.

"There is a statue at St James' Park of Bobby Robson," former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given said on Sky Sports after Sunday's final.

"Maybe they will build one of Eddie Howe."

Read more from Gary about Howe's Newcastle

Liverpool have made contact with people close to 25-year-old Newcastle United and Sweden striker Alexander Isak, before a potential summer move. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will receive a £3m bonus if the Magpies qualify for the Champions League next season, after masterminding the team's first major trophy win for 56 years. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to miss out on 18-year-old Malaga forward Antonio Cordero, with Newcastle the overwhelming favourites to sign the Spain Under-19 international. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Liverpool are ahead of Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham in the race to sign 24-year-old Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Pride, passion and and relief.

Relive some of the best moments in our gallery below and keep on scrolling for countless posts from fans, players and pundits on Newcastle's epic day.

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's EFL Cup final victory against Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Yusuf: Fifty-six years and up came Burn and Isak to win them the cup in style against Liverpool. A huge difference between the two sides with Newcastle having double the amount of chances and putting their heart and soul into stopping Liverpool. A day Newcastle fans will never forget.

Anon: I'm 77, I've supported Newcastle from 1955 and the last time they won a cup. I thought I was running short of time but we've done it. That game was absolutely magic!

Alastair: Howe tricked Slot into mirroring Newcastle's long-ball game, cutting out the midfield and gifting the Toon all the second balls, which along with his cunning corners were cutting Liverpool apart.

Graham: Fully deserved, in control all game and a great team defensive display. Well done everyone at the club. The support was immense too.

Robin: Only one team in it. From the off, Newcastle's determination was greater than Liverpool's. Looked sharp whereas Liverpool looked jaded.

Sometimes football can move you to tears at the best and worst of times.

For Newcastle fans - like this father and son embracing at a train station - the best of times are currently playing out.

Take a look at this emotional interview with BBC Radio Newcastle.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle midfielder Lee Clark hopes Dan Burn can cap off an "amazing week" by earning his first England cap when the Three Lions take on Albania on Friday.

"It couldn't have been written better," Clark told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"This week has been phenomenal for him, getting his England call-up at 32. He has been sensational since he came, scoring, man of the match. I couldn't be more proud of him.

"I've obviously got links with him, had him at Birmingham when I was the manager there, signed him on loan and him and his family are superb people. It couldn't happen to a nicer lad so hopefully he can top off an amazing week by winning his first England cap."

When asked about the end of Newcastle's trophy drought, Clark added: "I had my chance [to lift a trophy at Wembley]. We gave it a go and unfortunately for us it didn't happen and that group yesterday thoroughly deserved it. It was brilliant being part of it, being there, being able to celebrate with them. It was just a brilliant feeling, a brilliant atmosphere and too long a wait.

"I think when you play a club like Liverpool who are used to winning things and win things on a regular basis it can be alright that they miss out for a year and we can end that 70-year hoodoo."

Matthew Raisbeck
BBC Radio Newcastle reporter

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Sunday was epic and historic for Newcastle and the fans, so I think it is going to take a while to sink in.

If you think about all of the great players and managers they have had in the modern era - superstars with big names - none of them could do what Eddie Howe and his side have done.

That gives you a sense of the brilliant achievement.

Not only did they win, but they deserved to win. They had to beat the best to win the League Cup and they did. They put in a brilliant performance.

None of Liverpool's stars could show how good they can be because Newcastle were just better all over the pitch. Individually they were brilliant, and collectively they were superb.

It was the pinnacle. So special. You will never forget it.

But of course, it would not be Newcastle without a little bit of jeopardy and anxiety at the end. We do not do things the easy way!

The telling thing was that they were not caught up in the emotion this time around. They stayed outside of London, they learned a lot from two years ago and this time they handled it all really well.

• Not a Newcastle fan? Find and follow your club here

And I have to mention Dan Burn.

It is nice that the squad have some Geordies and Newcastle fans in the squad, so for Burn to get the goal that started it all off was special.

His performance was unbelievably good, but his story from non-league to Champions League, and now scoring in a League Cup final is fantastic.

Oh, and he has had to report for England duty this morning! When I spoke to him post-match in the tunnel, he told me that he could not even celebrate with an alcoholic drink because he had to report to training early for England. What a week he has had.

He has gone from the very bottom to the very top.

He, along with the rest of his team-mates and Eddie Howe, will be Newcastle United heroes forever.

Listen to full commentary on every Newcastle United game, and have your say on the Magpies on Total Sport North East every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Newcastle.

And subscribe to the Total Sport Newcastle United Podcast on BBC Sounds

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Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after Sunday's victory in Carabo Cup final: "I feel proud and emotional. It's been a rollercoaster few years since I arrived at the club. Everyone fully deserves it - we were more relaxed and calm about the game [than their EFL Cup final defeat in 2023] and we deserved the win.

"We learned a lot from the first final and we took the game to Liverpool. The manager sets the tactics and we have to stick to them. I've known him for 14,15 years now so I know what he expects and demands. Every player, and the subs who came on, stuck to the plan.

"I'll celebrate with a lot of drinks!"

Victory against Liverpool on Sunday meant Newcastle have beaten every team in the Premier League's top four to win a major domestic trophy for the first time in 70 years.

Talk about doing it the hard way!

And no-one can claim the Magpies have not deserved it.

Now, can they finish the season by pipping one of the above teams, or even Manchester City in fifth, to crown the campaign with Champions League qualification?

Listen to an hour devoted to Newcastle fans on BBC Radio 5 Live's Your Call from 10:00 GMT

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"Full credit to Newcastle because to a man they were outstanding," former Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

It was a nervy end but that was not a reflection on the full 90 minutes, in which the Magpies dominated and caused constant issues for the Reds.

"I was watching the reactions of the players when the final whistle went and Joelinton dropped to his knees because he had given every ounce of his energy into the game," Warnock added. "He was outstanding.

"Newcastle smothered Liverpool and they made it difficult for them. They created opportunities and they defended really well when Liverpool threw on so many attacking players in the latter stage.

"The game was played in a magnificent manner, but Newcastle stood strong and they deserve it because they were the better team on the day."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast live from Wembley on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Newcastle beat Liverpool to win the 2025 Carabao Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Krish: Wiped the floor with Liverpool and we just looked like we wanted it. We won the duels and second balls and I'm delighted for the fans. I've supported Newcastle for 33 years and my son has for one year. He'll never know the feeling of not winning something for so long.

Simon: This means so much to us as fans, to the city, players and staff. Brilliant performance. We played our game and nullified Liverpool's. The marking, the press, midfield and defence were all excellent. We see what it means to each of the players who played with real desire and passion. Eddie Howe and the staff deserve huge credit to how this team is developing and building.

Geff: Twenty-thousand three hundred and sixty-seven days of waiting are finally over. I cried because we won and my dad missed it by a few weeks. It was the greatest day of my life, by far.

Stevie: Newcastle played the perfect game - Liverpool didn't turn up.

Kenneth: Howay the lads! Well done Magpies. Credit due to Eddie Howe and all the players. Almost a one-way match. Liverpool outclassed...not an easy feat ...and in the history books too. The Angel of the North will be happy as well. Next stop Europe.

Steve: Every Newcastle player was brilliant and especially Dan Burn. A well-deserved victory and dominated the Premier League champs-to-be for at least 85 minutes.

Anthony: Outstanding from start to finish - everyone up for it.

Image source, Daily Express and Daily Mirror

The party might have started at Wembley but it will no count continue for days in Tyneside after Newcastle outplayed Liverpool to secure their first domestic trophy for 70 years.

Eddie Howe's men put in a dominant performance to end the barren years and a run of nine successive Wembley defeats since they lifted the FA Cup seven decades ago.

And it will also mean a place in Europe next season, no matter their final league position.

Several of the national newspapers have featured captain Bruno Guimaraes on their back page, as he was in tears at full-time and overcome with emotion at leading the Magpies to a historic win.

It's 'party Tyne'!

Image source, Daily Telegraph / The Metro