Newcastle secured its spot in the 2024/25 Carabao Cup final with a commanding win over Arsenal, repeating the 2-0 scoreline from the first leg. Playing at a buzzing St. James' Park, the Magpies were clinical, sealing their second final appearance in three seasons. Now, they wait to face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the grand showdown at Wembley.
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That wait has stretched to 70 years since their 1955 FA Cup triumph, and fans are beginning to believe this could finally be the moment that drought is finally broken, and some silverware is brought home.
Newcastle ruthless, Arsenal had no answers
The Magpies barely left any room for surprises; they opened it early, inside 18 minutes of the opening half, where Murphy capitalized after Isak saw his powerful attempt come off the post. The stadium just went crazy in that instant, as home supporters knew this one was good to seal qualification with.
Early in the second half, Anthony Gordon doubled the lead after an Arsenal defensive mishap. Fabian Schär pressed high, dispossessed Declan Rice, and Gordon simply rolled the ball into an empty net. The aggregate score ballooned to 4-0, crushing any last hope of an Arsenal comeback.
Eddie Howe’s game plan shut Arsenal down
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said his side were aggressive and disciplined in their approach to the tie, and that pressing Arsenal's centre-backs was key - as it proved in the first leg.
"It was a tough game, but tactically we were excellent. The plan was to be aggressive and sometimes that doesn't always work. Today, it did. I think it helped solidify our approach. We had to sit back at times, but we were always in the game.
Howe also spoke about adapting against a side that dominates possession. Without Joelinton, he opted for a taller lineup to physically match up on set pieces.
"We had to work on set plays because their aerial threat is huge. In the first leg, we had some lucky moments. Our line-up was for height, without Joelinton. We needed Dan Burn, Fabian Schär and Sven Botman. Today we defended the set pieces very well." Important was the defensive organization. Even though Arsenal have attacking players like Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, they did not create any real danger.
Fabian Schar's game was instrumental in the Swiss central defender who stood out, at the back or disrupting Arsenal in midfield. Of course, mainly tasked with canceling out key Arsenal playmaker Declan Rice, he had done just that.
"Fabian [Schär] had to cover a lot of ground at times tracking Declan Rice whether he dropped deep, went wide or pushed forward. Sometimes the whole pitch. He's an excellent athlete and more than capable of doing so."
Newcastle didn't simply win — they controlled the game demonstrating the type of discipline required when big matches need to be won.
A trip back to Wembley now carries added weight
This final is not about the silverware but a moment of definition in the Newcastle project, with an undoubted ambition that has pushed hard into the top tier of English soccer since the change in ownership at the club.
For Eddie Howe, too, the mentality has to shift: Newcastle needs to see itself as a club that belongs in these moments.
"Our first trip to Wembley felt a little unexpected, but the club we want to be has to make this a regular thing. Our cup run wasn't easy — we knocked out four Premier League teams — so we did the hard work."
Reaching another final proves they are moving in the right direction.
Final against Liverpool or Tottenham
Newcastle now awaits the winner of Liverpool vs. Tottenham to determine their opponent at Wembley. Spurs won the first leg 1-0, but beating Liverpool at Anfield is never an easy task.
Should Liverpool advance, that would be a big test. The Reds are accustomed to big finals and have an extremely lethal attack. Should Tottenham advance, the Magpies face a more even match-up but still against a team capable of rising to the occasion.