LONDON – It didn’t take long for Eddie Howe to develop a craving for silverware. Just an hour after lifting Newcastle’s first major trophy in over half a century, Howe, hair drenched in champagne, is already eyeing greater honors.
Newcastle showcased their quality en route to their first major title since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, sealing a 2-1 victory against Premier League leaders Liverpool—a scoreline that barely reflected their dominance at Wembley Stadium. Howe’s squad has achieved what the previous five cup finalists of the Magpies failed to do, leading to an anticipated celebration in the northeast.
Post-celebration, Howe is eager to use this trophy as a springboard for bigger rewards. Supported by Saudi Arabia’s PIF and featuring talents like Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and goal-scorer Alexander Isak, expectations are high for further achievements.
“Hopefully with one can come more,” Howe remarked. “There’s no guarantee, but it proves we can do it. I’ve had no doubts about our capabilities, but such opportunities are rare.”
He stressed the importance of taking chances in crucial moments, highlighting that his players stepped up to the plate under pressure, showcasing their ability to compete against top-tier teams.
“We need to find ways to get here more frequently, elevating our game as we did today,” Howe stated.
Dan Burn emerged as a significant contributor to Newcastle’s success, marking the scoring with a powerful header just before halftime, capping off a week that also saw him earn an England call-up for the first time.
“I’ve had worse weeks,” Burn joked. “I’m hesitant to sleep as it feels surreal, as if I’m in a dream.”
Contrastingly, it has been a challenging time for Liverpool under newly appointed manager Arne Slot. They suffered consecutive defeats for the first time while missing out on a chance to match Manchester United’s record of 20 domestic cups.
“That’s how the game unfolded,” Slot acknowledged. “The match went the way they wanted it to, with more duels, and we simply couldn’t compete. If we faced them ten times aerially, they’d likely win nine."
Liverpool will seek solace in the impending Premier League title but recognize the disappointment of the cup defeat.
“They deserve the victory as they executed their game plan effectively,” he concluded.
