Manchester United crushed Newcastle United’s hopes of a first domestic trophy for almost 70 years with a clinical 2-0 win in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
Casemiro’s header was followed by a late first-half own goal by Sven Boatman that silenced an optimistic Newcastle crowd in the capital as Manchester United lifted the trophy for a sixth time with relative ease.
Much of the build-up was Newcastle’s first appearance in a major final since 1999 and their fortunes boosted by Eddie Howe after the 2021 Saudi Arabia-led takeover.
But Erik ten Hag’s resurgent United showed them how far they still have to go after claiming the club’s first trophy since winning the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2017 — their longest wait for silverware since 1983.
“It’s been a fantastic season, the first trophy of the season but we want more and it’s not enough for this club, we want more and we want more because our standards are more demanding,” said Bruno Fernandes, denied a third goal in stoppage time. Time, said.
“For me it’s about winning trophies and finally we did that. I’m satisfied but I want more. I want more.”
There was little between the sides in a scrappy first half but England’s first silverware of the season was effectively decided six minutes before half-time.
Newcastle were stunned when Brazilian Casemiro curled a Luke Shaw free-kick past Loris Karius in the 33rd minute, only to see the goal stand after a VAR check for offside.
Newcastle were completely deflated six minutes later when Marcus Rashford was played down the left and his shot deflected off a helpless Karius for what initially appeared to be his 17th goal since the World Cup.
However, this is credited to the unfortunate boatman.
Kicking towards their fans in the second half, Newcastle brought themselves into action and pinned down a leggy-looking United at times but they rarely looked like scoring.
Newcastle fans, who created a sea of black and white with give-away plastic flags on the west side of the stadium in the closing minutes, drifted away ahead of the presentation.
The Tyneside club have now lost their last nine games at Wembley, starting in the 1974 FA Cup final.
Instead the stage was left to United, whose fans were in full voice as Bruno Fernandes lifted the trophy in what they hope will be the first of many under Dutchman Ten Haag, whose first season has gone from strength to strength after a difficult opening few days.
United, who beat Barcelona in midweek to reach the last-16 of the Europa League and remain in contention in the Premier League title race, were not at their best but handled the game brilliantly when they put their noses in front.
He was more of a goal threat and Voot Weghorst took a chance when he fired a fair shot at Newcastle’s third-choice Karius, who produced a stunning performance in his first competitive game for any club since 2021.
Newcastle were full of energy early on with Alan Saint-Maximin dangerous whenever they got the ball.
But Newcastle’s lack of goals in recent months has been evident as they huff and puff.
Jolinton headed one chance and Dan Burn’s header whistled wide on the stroke of half-time but by that stage the writing was on the wall for a familiar tale of woe.
“No complaints about how we played, obviously the scoreline doesn’t say that, and football can be brutal out there,” Newcastle manager Howe said.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t deliver to the fans today.”
Source: Reuters
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