LONDON: Newcastle ended their decades-long trophy drought in stunning style as Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed a 2-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup final on Sunday.
Eddie Howe’s side made history at Wembley with a superb display that left the runaway Premier League leaders shell-shocked.
Burn put Newcastle ahead late in the first half and Isak’s 27th goal in all competitions doubled their lead after the interval.
Federico Chiesa got one back in the closing seconds, but Newcastle held on for their first major silverware since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
That success in the predecessor to the Europa League is a relic of a bygone era, but this long-awaited triumph will be forever etched in the memories of the Newcastle fans who turned one half of Wembley into a roiling sea of black and white with their ecstatic celebrations.
It was also Newcastle’s first major domestic prize dating back 70 years to the 1955 FA Cup.
Since the Magpies lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, 30 different English teams had won silverware, while Liverpool had clinched 38 major trophies in that time.
But after losing the 2023 League Cup final against Manchester United, Howe’s team returned to Wembley and set the record straight at last.
Newcastle had endured five relegations to the second tier since their last trophy, with club legends like Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne and Malcolm MacDonald failing to win silverware in their time on Tyneside.
Aside from a brief period when Kevin Keegan’s self-styled “entertainers” challenged for the title in the 1990s, Newcastle have endured decades of underachievement and self-inflicted wounds that rendered them a laughing stock for long periods.
All that changed in 2021 when a Saudi-backed consortium completed a takeover from unpopular owner Mike Ashley and quickly hired Howe as their manager.
Thanks to Howe’s astute leadership and the Saudi financial backing, Newcastle have been transformed from relegation candidates to silverware winners.
The defeat was another painful blow for Liverpool just days after their Champions League last 16 exit on penalties against Paris Saint-Germain.
But despite failing to win their first trophy under boss Arne Slot, Liverpool still sit 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League, within touching distance of a record-equalling 20th English title.
Liverpool are 23 points ahead of sixth-placed Newcastle in the league and hadn’t lost to them for 17 games dating back to 2015.
But Howe’s men were in no mood to be cowed by past failures
Newcastle fans unveiled a banner before kick-off urging their team to “write your name in the history books.”
They rose to the challenge in spectacular fashion, snapping into tackles and counter-attacking with purpose, while Liverpool were sluggish and sloppy in possession.
Bruno Guimaraes had a golden opportunity to reward Newcastle’s enterprising start when Burn headed Kieran Trippier’s corner toward the Brazil midfielder, but he nodded at Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher from close-range.
Newcastle’s desire and drive was clear to see when Joelinton tracked back from midfield to stop Jarell Quansah in his tracks and celebrated with a fist-pumping roar.
Despite nearly being caught out by Burn’s aerial prowess once before, Liverpool failed to heed the warning as the towering center-back put Newcastle ahead in the 45th minute.
Bizarrely left unmarked, with only the diminutive Alex Mac Allister anywhere near him, Burn was allowed to rise unchallenged to meet Tripper’s corner as he thumped a powerful header into far corner from 12 yards.
Burn’s goal — Newcastle’s first in a cup final since 1976 — capped an incredible week for the journeyman center-back, who received his first England call-up on Friday.
With Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah completely anonymous, the lethargic Reds had no answer as Isak put Newcastle into dreamland after 52 minutes.
Jacob Murphy met Tino Livramento’s cross with a header that found Isak, who drilled a superb first-time finish past Kelleher from 10 yards.
Chiesa’s stoppage-time strike set up an anxious finale, but good things comes to those who wait.
And all across Wembley, Newcastle players and fans celebrated with abandon as a party over half a century in the making got into full swing.
Newcastle stun Liverpool in League Cup final to end decades-long trophy drought
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Newcastle stun Liverpool in League Cup final to end decades-long trophy drought
Harley-Davidson to launch racing series with MotoGP in 2026
- Riders will be given race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide bagger motorcycles
- The 12-race series will run at six Grands Prix on the MotoGP calendar
PARIS: Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson and MotoGP announced a new global racing series on Saturday which will launch in 2026, with teams riding bagger motorcycles at Grands Prix in Europe and North America.
Riders will be given race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide bagger motorcycles, which are touring-style bikes designed for long-distance riding.
The 12-race series will run at six Grands Prix on the MotoGP calendar and the grid is expected to have six to eight teams with two riders each.
“This is a bold new step for Harley-Davidson’s global racing ambitions,” Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz said in a statement.
“With this new series, we’re excited to bring a new form of racing to the world stage.”
The teams will be supported by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing.
Iran beat Pakistan in Asian polo qualifiers’ finals in Riyadh
- Iran defeated Pakistan with an aggregate score of 32–30 over two-leg matches
- Saudi Polo Federation chief highlights the high level of competition from both teams
RIYADH: The Iranian national polo team have qualified for the 2025 World Cup in the US after beating Pakistan in the 2025 Federation of International Polo (FIP) Arena World Polo Championship Asia qualifiers.
Held in western Riyadh at the Nofa Equestrian Resort, Iran defeated Pakistan with an aggregate score of 32–30 over two-leg matches, a media statement said on Saturday.
The medal ceremony was attended by Piero Dillier, president of the Federation of International Polo, and Faisal bin Duwaiyes, CEO of the Saudi Polo Federation, who awarded the medals to both teams.
Bin Duwaiyes said that the successful hosting of the event was a continuation of Saudi Arabia’s achievements in organizing regional and international sporting events.
“This success was made possible by the unwavering support of the Kingdom’s leadership and the close attention of the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, he said.
SPF’s CEO highlighted the high level of competition and strong performances from both teams throughout the matches.
Bin Duwaiyes underscored the significance of the presence of Federation of International Polo officials and sport experts. He described it as a valuable opportunity for Saudi administrative and technical personnel to gain experience and further contribute to the development of polo in the Kingdom.
Barcelona ready for Real test after Champions League exit, says Flick
- Barca lead the Spanish top-flight by four points over second-placed Real
- “After the defeat in Milan, everyone knows it’s not easy... but we’re doing things right,” Flick told reporters
BARCELONA: Barcelona’s players have discussed last week’s Champions League elimination and are ready to put their disappointment behind them as they prepare to face LaLiga title rivals Real Madrid, manager Hansi Flick said on Saturday.
Barca, who suffered a 4-3 Champions League semifinal defeat by Inter Milan on Tuesday, lead the Spanish top-flight by four points over second-placed Real.
With four matches left in the season, a home win on Sunday would move Flick’s side one victory away from their 28th Spanish league title.
“We’re doing well. After the defeat in Milan, everyone knows it’s not easy... but we’re doing things right. We’ve talked about what we want to do in these two weeks,” Flick told reporters.
“There are four more games to go. El Clasico is important, we have to show how well we can play. We have to show confidence. The players are doing very well... We’ve been talking about what they are thinking, what they are feeling.
“We had to talk about it as a group. Everyone knows that in a Clasico you have to give 100 percent. You have to be active, intense, dominant. Real Madrid is a very good team, and we need the fans.”
Barcelona have conceded 10 goals in their last four games across all competitions, leading to questions over their solidity and the team’s use of a high line when defending.
Flick, however, is content with his back line.
“When we started, I was clear about the philosophy... There have been games, especially at the beginning, where we saw doubts, but the team has adapted well,” he said.
“They have also been improving and are happy with the style and how we want to play. When you see the quality of the players you are happy.”
Flick also singled out defender Inigo Martinez for praise.
“He likes to play deeper, and it’s unbelievable to see how he’s adapted,” the German said.
“He’s a leader and focuses on winning every game. He works hard in every training session.
He shares his positive feelings with his teammates and he is a fighter. A great leader.”
Flick said striker Robert Lewandowski, returning from a hamstring injury, and full back Alejandro Balde would not start against Real.
“Gerard Martin and the rest of the players are doing very well,” Flick said.
“After this match, we have three more games left. Maybe they (Lewandowski and Balde) will get minutes in the second half, I think Balde is ready for that.”
Foreign cricketers head home as India-Pakistan tension disrupts world’s biggest T20 league
- The lucrative Indian Premier League was suspended for one week Friday
- The Pakistan Super League was postponed less than 24 hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board had announced it would try to move the remaining games to Dubai
NEW DELHI: The military tension between India and Pakistan has put the biggest Twenty20 cricket league in the world on hold while another one has been suspended for indefinite period.
The lucrative Indian Premier League was suspended for one week Friday while the Pakistan Super League was postponed less than 24 hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board had announced it would try to move the remaining eight games of the league to Dubai.
Leading foreign cricketers on both sides of the border have already started leaving for their respective countries and the Board of Control for Cricket in India is yet to announce the revised schedule.
There were reports in Indian media on Saturday that IPL organizers have shortlisted three southern cities — Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad — to host the remaining 16 games, provided it gets Indian government approval to resume.
The packed international cricket schedule could see some of the leading foreign players miss the remaining IPL games if the league extends beyond its scheduled May 25 final.
The IPL is the most popular cricket tournament in the world and runs between March and May. This year it has featured 65 international cricketers from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, England and Afghanistan.
Several dozen foreign cricketers who weren’t picked in the IPL auction were drafted into the PSL, which was due to end May 18.
The decision to postpone IPL on Friday came after a night of artillery exchanges between Indian and Pakistani soldiers across their frontier in Kashmir, amid a growing military standoff that erupted following an attack on tourists in the India-controlled portion of the disputed region.
On Friday night and Saturday, overseas cricketers and broadcast staff were given permission to fly out to their respective home countries, reducing the chance that the tournament would be resumed. There are about 70 overseas players in the IPL this season.
The BCCI said the decision to suspend the tournament was made “in the collective interest of all stakeholders.”
“While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country,” the BCCI statement said.
The suspension came after the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala in northern India was abandoned Thursday evening when the power went out during a government-mandated blackout. Players from both teams returned by train late Friday to New Delhi.
Punjab’s next game against Mumbai Indians had already been moved from Dharamsala to Mumbai because of the closure of several airports in the Indian northwestern corridor.
In Pakistan, foreign players were flown out of Islamabad in a special chartered flight hours before both countries were engaged in missile and drone attacks on each other’s military bases in the most serious confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades.
On Thursday, an Indian drone fell inside the complex of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium hours before the start of a PSL game in which several cricketers from New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, South Africa and England were due to compete.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also interior minister in the Pakistan government, held meetings with foreign cricketers and six franchise owners of the PSL before initially saying the tournament was being moved to Dubai before suspending it.
“Cricket, while being a unifying force and a source of joy, must take a respectful pause,” the PCB said in a statement.
The PCB said it acted on advice from Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The PCB had earlier confirmed the relocation of eight remaining PSL matches to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, citing growing concerns among overseas players and the need to prioritize their safety. But the latest announcement said the PSL was being postponed and gave no indication whether this year’s edition would resume at some point.
England cricketer Sam Billings, New Zealand’s Colin Munro, South African Rilee Rossouw and Jason Holder of West Indies were among 43 foreign cricketers competing in the PSL.
“We have sincere regard for the mental well-being of participating players and the sentiments of our foreign players, and we respect the concerns of their families who want to see them back home,” the PCB said.
Postecoglou ‘hopeful’ Son will return for Spurs against Palace
- South Korea international Son, 32, has missed the club’s past seven fixtures with a foot injury
- “Half hopeful that we get Sonny some minutes tomorrow so he’ll be the only one that sort of can come back in,” Postecoglou said
LONDON: Ange Postecoglou says he is “half hopeful” that captain Son Heung-min will return on Sunday as he makes plans for Tottenham’s showdown with Manchester United in the Europa League final.
South Korea international Son, 32, has missed the club’s past seven fixtures with a foot injury, including both legs of Tottenham’s 5-1 aggregate win against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semifinals.
“Everyone got through OK the other night. Half hopeful that we get Sonny some minutes tomorrow so he’ll be the only one that sort of can come back in,” Spurs boss Postecoglou said on Saturday.
“I think what we do know about Thursday night, playing on an artificial pitch (in Norway) takes a lot out of the players, it’s fair to say they were sore.”
Defenders Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie are expected to be rested against Palace.
Tottenham are a lowly 16th in the Premier League ahead of their match against Palace — a point and a place below United.
But they reached the semifinals of the League Cup and have a chance to win their first silverware for 17 years in the Europa League.
The Australian will bring up a century of fixtures as Tottenham boss in the Europa League final against United in Bilbao on May 21.
“It’d be a nice little bow there for that 100 and it’s been a really full 100,” he said. “It’s fair to say I’ve experienced just about every emotion in it and hopefully the one main emotion we’re all after will be the joy at the end of it.
“We have had a ridiculous injury-riddled season coupled by the fact we’ve done really well in two competitions and that is 60 games.
“So, it has felt — and certainly for me personally it has felt — like a really, really long season.
“But you just get energy and realize what happened the other night and you’re so close to achieving something special that it all dissipates into the background, so you get the energy you need.”
