Eddie Howe believes that the EFL Cup success of Newcastle United on Liverpool can be a turning point to help the Magpies to challenge regularly for trophies.
Howe watched as goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak's first major domestic success of Newcastle sealed since they won the FA Cup in 1954-55.
The last moments in Wembley Stadium were made for Newcastle when Federico Chiesa yielded in the second half of the stopping time, but Howe's side held a 2-1 win.
Newcastle directly the mistakes of their EFL Cup defeat against Manchester United in 2023, and Howe thinks that their first large domestic trophy in 70 years will act as a platform to build.
“We wanted to make the football club proud today. We try to break new roads and hopefully this is a turning point for us,” Howe told Sky Sports.
“With fixed plays, we consistently worked on certain for this game for two weeks.
“Than [Burn] Will be the first to admit, he has not practiced! All players were beautiful, but especially him. He was a colossus. “
The boss. pic.twitter.com/HDP2VZ2WLZ
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 16, 2025
Despite their late fear, Newcastle winners were worth a Liverpool side that apparently still hurt their Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.
The magpies ended the game with an expected goals (XG) total of 1.84 of their 17 shots, with Isak also excluded a goal for offside in the second half.
They also limited the starman of Arne Slot, Mohamed Salah, to very little. Indeed, for the first time in his career in Liverpool, the Egyptians tried no chance or created nor a chance in a match in which he played 90 minutes.
It was also Howe's first victory over Liverpool about all matches since taking over from Steve Bruce in November 2021 (D2 L7).
And despite his bad record against the Reds, Howe was confident before he met the leaders of the Premier League.
“Emotional, very emotional. It's very different from me. We knew what was at stake and just wanted to make everyone proud,” Howe added.
“We were desperate to try to win the trophy after so many years of pain.
“It had a different feeling. We won the game and everything will be positively rated, but we have prepared well and I was confident that the players would perform.”
Howe also became the first English manager to win the FA Cup of EFL Cup since Harry Redknapp with Portsmouth in 2008, while he is the first to do this specifically in the last competition since Steve McClaren with Middlesbrough in 2004.
2008 – Eddie Howe is the first English manager to win the FA Cup of League Cup since Harry Redknapp with Portsmouth in 2008, while he is the first to do this specifically in the League Cup since Steve Mclararen with Middlesbrough in 2004. ELATION. pic.twitter.com/novhiytjri
– Optajoe (@Optajoe) March 16, 2025
It was also an emotional day for Bruno Guimaraes, with the captain from Newcastle to tears after the last whistle.
The Brazilian international ended the competition with joint team-high totals for duels (nine, level with Joelinton) and opportunities created (two, level with Burn and Harvey Barnes).
He also won more tackles (four) and regained more times (nine) than his teammates.
“It's all for these fans. They deserve everything. When I came here for the first time, I said I wanted to put my name in history,” Guimaraes said.
“We can now say that we are the champions again. This is one of the best days of my life.
“I have no words. It is the best day of my life. For them [the fans] It is just like the World Cup. People grew up and do not see us as champions.
“My first year as a captain of this club, and it's one of the best days. This is incredible.”
Guimaraes wants to put his name down in Newcastle Folklore, like a club legend who looked in the stands in Wembley.
“This is my second home. We make history. One day when I leave this club, I want the fans to sing my name as they do [Alan] Shearer, “he said.
“He texted me for the game. I'm so emotional. “
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