KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING: Newcastle’s Saudi revolution had finally been rewarded. The Geordie fans who had expected so much so soon have had to wait three and a half years but that fuelled the delirious response to the Magpies’ well-earned 2-1 Wembley triumph over League Cup holders Liverpool.

Dan Burn and Alex Isak struck the goals which delivered a first trophy for Newcastle since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, forerunner of the Europa League, in 1968. Not only that but it was their first domestic success in 70 years, since the 1955 FA Cup in the days of legendary Jackie Milburn.

Victory was a vindication of the low-key management style of Eddie Howe and the owners’ faith in the man overlooked last year for the England job after Gareth Southgate’s post-Euro departure. Faith underlined by Howe’s continuance in post after the League Cup Final defeat two years ago by Manchester United.

Liverpool were left to rue another disappointment after the midweek exit from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain via an Anfield penalty shootout.

They had won a 10^th League Cup last year against Chelsea amid a major injury crisis but this time they had no such excuse.

The Premier League title was always their No1 target in the first season of Arne Slot’s post-Klopp regime and success is all but assured. However this past week’s failings will leave a questionmark over essential rebuilding amid the contract expirations of top scorer Mo Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and home-grown favourite Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Early chances

Newcastle made their energy and enthusiasm tell in the first half. Liverpool looked lethargic. Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali went close and then Alex Isak and Kieran Tripper had shots blocked in quick succession. Mohamed Salah, in what may prove his last Wembley final, was a virtual spectator out on the right wing.

England veteran Trippier was everywhere in driving his team forward and it was from his left-wing corner that Dan Burn headed Newcastle in front. Newcastle had taken all their corners long, cutting out Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Burn, just called up for an England squad for the first time by Thomas Tuchel, took advantage with a long-range angled header past Caoimhin Kelleher.

This was Newcastle’s first goal in a Wembley cup final since Alan Gowling in a League Cup Final defeat by Manchester City in 1976.

Liverpool sought to take the initiative from the start of the second half but within eight minutes they were two goals down. A left-wing raid by Tino Livramento led to a downward header from Jacob Murphy and first-time shot from Isak.

Desperate measures

Slot, having surprisingly held off from making a halftime change, now threw on Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones in place of Diogo Jota and Konate and went to three at the back. Dominik Szoboszlai was foiled by a fine save from Nick Pope. But the longer the final ran on so Liverpool looked as much in danger of conceding on the counter-attack as scoring themselves.

Federico Chiesa, another substitute, pulled one back in the 11 minutes of stoppage time but it was too little too late. Newcastle had finally beaten the jinx of defeat in nine consecutive Wembley defeats including five finals.

Slot was magnanimous in defeat, saying: “The game went the way they wanted. They were really aggressive and defended really well. They are stronger and taller in the heading duels and both goals came from that. We needed to be better with the ball and create more and we gave them the positive mindset at the break with that one goal lead.

“We did have one or two chances but altogether Newcastle deserved the win. To say our performance was any reaction to what happened in midweek would not do justice to Newcastle.”

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