Manchester United crushed Newcastle United’s hopes of a claiming a first domestic trophy for nearly 70 years with a clinical 2-0 victory in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
A header by Casemiro followed by an own goal by Sven Botman late in the first half silenced the hordes of Newcastle fans who flocked to the capital as United went on to lift the trophy for a sixth time with relative ease.
Miracle man: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag with coaching staff celebrate with the trophy.
A six-year wait ends: Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire lift the trophy as they celebrate with teammates after winning the Carabao Cup.
Manchester United fans in the stands.
Newcastle United's Fabian Schar clashes with Manchester United's Luke Shaw.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe reacts during the game.
Newcastle United's Callum Wilson in action with Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the team's second goal.
Manchester United's David de Gea celebrates after Marcus Rashford scores their second goal.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford scores the second goal.
Manchester United's Casemiro celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates.
Manchester United's Casemiro scores the opener.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe talks to Dan Burn.
Manchester United's Diogo Dalot and Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier remonstrate with referee.
Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (L) vies with Newcastle United's Brazilian striker Joelinton (R) during the English League Cup final football match between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Antony of Manchester United is challenged by Dan Burn of Newcastle United during the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, Antony and Fred before the match.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe before the match.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag before the match.
Newcastle United players line up before the match.
Newcastle fans wave flags as they await kick-off in the English League Cup final football match between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Antony before the match.
Newcastle United fans with flags inside the stadium before the match.
While much of the build-up was about Newcastle’s first appearance in a major final since 1999, it was Erik ten Hag’s resurgent United which claimed the club’s first silverware since winning the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
There was little between the sides in a scrappy first half but the English season’s first silverware was effectively decided in the space of six minutes towards halftime.
Newcastle was stunned when Brazilian Casemiro met a superb Luke Shaw free kick in the 33rd minute to head past Loris Karius, the goal allowed to stand after a VAR check for offside.
Six minutes later Newcastle was left totally deflated when the in-form Marcus Rashford was played in down the left and his shot deflected over a helpless Karius, the goal later being credited to the unfortunate Botman.
Kicking towards their fans in the second half Newcastle roused themselves into action and pinned a leggy-looking United back at times but their wait for a trophy goes on.
Newcastle’s fans, who had created a sea of black and white with give-away plastic flags at the stadium’s west side during the closing minutes, drifted away before the presentation.
The Tyneside club has now lost each of their last nine matches at Wembley, a run that began in the 1974 FA Cup final.
By contrast Man United’s fans were in full voice as Bruno Fernandes raised the trophy which they hope will be the first of many under Dutch coach Ten Hag whose first season is going from strength to strength after some difficult early days.
United, which beat Barcelona in midweek to reach the last-16 of the Europa League and is still in contention in the Premier League title race, was not at its best.
But it had far more goal threat and Wout Weghorst fluffed a chance when he shot tamely at Karius, Newcastle’s third-choice keeper playing his first competitive match since 2021.
Newcastle looked dangerous occasionally when Allan Saint-Maximin got on the ball but its lack of goals in recent months was evident as it huffed and puffed.
Joelinton headed one chance over and Dan Burn’s header whistled wide on the stroke of halftime but by that stage the writing was on the wall for a familiar near miss for Newcastle.
Comments
SHARE