Carabao Cup final ratings: Local lad Dan Burn Newcastle’s Wembley hero as Mo Salah endures Wembley nightmare
NEWCASTLE ended their 70-year trophy drought in style by beating Premier League champions-elect Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
The 2-1 scoreline flattered the Reds in truth, with Eddie Howe‘s Toon having produced a sensational performance to flatten runaway league leaders.
Local lad Dan Burn, fresh off his first England call-up, rose highest to head his boyhood club into the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Alexander Isak then deservedly doubled Newcastle‘s lead shortly after the break.
The Toon could have further increased their advantage, only for forgotten man Federico Chiesa to hand Liverpool a late life-line on 94 minutes.
After the Reds failed to conjure a late comeback, here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Liverpool players…
Caoimhin Kelleher – 5
Didn’t do an awful lot wrong to be honest, but was left scrambling at two great finishes from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak.
In fairness to the Irishman, was it not for him this game could’ve ended with the Reds in a three or even four goal deficit.
Has so often been Liverpool’s hero on occasions like today, but it wasn’t to be this time around.
Jarrell Quansah – 5
After being called up to Thomas Tuchel‘s England setup, Jarrell Quansah had the tough task of replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back for the Red Men.
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While the youngster was solid defensively, he lacked the attacking prowess that makes TAA so unique and didn’t look massively comfortable in the role of the modern full-back.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
There are plenty of reasons many consider him to be the best defender in the world, and one of the best in history, but today he wasn’t able to show them.
His passes seemed to always find a Newcastle player, which was perhaps more down to their desire than his ability, but either way they didn’t come off like they usually do.
He was probably the Reds’ best defender on the day nonetheless, seemed the only one of the bunch able to cope with Newcastle’s physicality and desire.
Ibrahima Konate – 4
Much like Van Dijk whom he has learned from, we are so used to seeing the imperious Frenchman dominate players physically and composed at the back on the ball.
For some reason today it didn’t seem to be working for him.
Had a few shaky moments early on with the ball at his feet and the running of Isak caused him a few problems too.
Andy Robertson – 5
His experience is so valuable in a game like this, but he looked off the pace today.
Looked as though his feet couldn’t quite keep up with his footballing brain as he tried to create attacks for the Reds and was beaten a fair few times by Jacob Murphy down the right.
Made a few extremely valuable blocks however defensively, but that was about all he could offer.
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
For a player of his evident quality, and a midfielder who has been a press-resistant machine for the Reds this season, I was left pretty disappointed to see him outshone by all three of Newcastle’s trio in the middle.
Had a few nice touches and made some vital tackles, but wasn’t as impressive as we’ve seen him be many times this season.
Alexis Mac Allister – 4
Not quite sure why 5ft 9in Mac Allister was marking 6ft 6in Dan Burn from set pieces, but it definitely didn’t work.
He wasn’t at his best today, with his passes tending to be poorly weighted and being physically dominated by his counterparts in black and white.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 4
The most attacking of Liverpool’s midfield three, Szobo showed some real intelligence with his passing and composure on the ball but was unable to provide that incisive pass when LFC needed it most.
No efforts from range and a lack of all-round innovation on the front foot limited his ability to create chances for his side against an extremely combative Newcastle defence.
Mo Salah – 2
Was nullified brilliantly in the first half by Newcastle’s dynamic defensive duo of the rapid Tino Livramento and physical specimen Dan Burn.
Eddie Howe seemed to employ the same tactic to stop him as PSG used in the Champions League, with a left-sided double up, and at times triple up causing trouble for the Egyptian King.
His Ballon d’Or charge looks to be slipping week by week at the moment.
Luis Diaz – 3
For a player who has so much to offer going forward, we didn’t see any of it from the Colombian winger this afternoon.
Before the game you would have fancied his chances against a Kieran Trippier who is perhaps not what he once was, but the Englishman dominated him on the wing in truth.
Diogo Jota – 3
Was largely ineffective for a player of his calibre.
Normally offers a bit of dynamism across the front line, and while he did break the Newcastle defence a few times with his running, there was no end product from him on the day.
SUBSTITUTES:
Darwin Nunez (Diogo Jota, 56) – 4
It was the same old story for Darwin Nunez that we have seen from him for most of the season.
He has the right ideas and gets in good areas, but wasn’t able to be the difference maker off of the bench for the Redmen when they needed him.
Curtis Jones (Ibrahima Konate, 57) – 6
Injected the game with some energy and looked one of the better players in a red shirt when he came on.
Came closest to getting his side back in the game with a powerful strike which was well saved by Nick Pope.
Cody Gakpo (Alexis Mac Allister, 67) – 4
Largely ineffective after coming on, was well marshalled by Newcastle’s right hand side.
Harvey Elliott (Luis Diaz, 74) – 7
Was a difference maker off of the bench for his side, winning the ball brilliantly from Bruno Guimaraes and slotting a fine ball into the path of Chiesa who finished with aplomb.
Played with the kind of fire and intensity Liverpool needed, but didn’t have long enough to give more of it to his team.
Federico Chiesa (Ryan Gravenberch, 74) – 7
Scored the goal which gave Liverpool a glimmer of hope at the death and made it a nervy final five minutes for the Geordies. Seems to have a knack of scoring at Wembley, and couldn’t have done much more after coming on off the bench.
Here’s how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated each Newcastle star on the day…
Nick Pope – 9
Despite all the concerns over his footwork, the stopper produced his inner Manuel Neuer in the first half with a great sweeper-keeper display.
But it was all about his handling after the break as he made an excellent one-handed save from Curtis Jones just after the second goal.
Kieran Trippier – 9
Fortunate to get away with the handball in the first half but showed exactly why he won over 50 caps for England. Was also his corner that the opener came from.
He might not have had the armband on, but a real captain’s performance from the veteran left-back as he refused to give Luis Diaz an inch.
Fabian Schar – 9
Did not give the Liverpool attack an inch.
Really composed display from the Swiss star alongside the man of the moment Dan Burn.
Dan Burn – 10
What a week for the loveable big Geordie defender with a first England call-up and then scoring here to end his boyhood club’s 70-year wait for a major trophy.
The perfect display by the now legendary Toon defender.
Tino Livramento – 9
Absolutely superb despite being played out of his natural position.
Handled the threat of Mo Salah with ease and got forward numerous times, as well as having a huge hand in the crucial second goal.
Bruno Guimaraes – 9
Brazil-iant.
The first man to lift a trophy for Newcastle since Bob Moncur in 1969 and the boy from Brazil earned it.
Like the rest of his team-mates, gave absolutely everything he had and now his name is etched into the Toon history forever.
Sandro Tonali – 9
The Italian showed a great engine to get around the pitch and ensured Liverpool’s midfield could have zero effect.
That was as well as all of his silky passing, which showed exactly why Newcastle paid the big bucks for him.
Joelinton – 10
An absolute rock for the Magpies in midfield and celebrated every tackle he won as if it was a goal.
Was absolutely everywhere and typified everything about Toon’s performance.
Jacob Murphy – 9
Was always a threat down the right but his crossing let his work-rate down slightly in the opening period.
But he made right up for that with a great assist for Isak to secure his place in the hearts of the Toon Army forever.
Harvey Barnes – 9
Enjoyed himself against Jarell Quansah and was a constant pain.
His display is a testament to how little Eddie Howe’s side missed Anthony Gordon.
Alexander Isak – 9
Didn’t get much of a sniff in the first half but he only needs one chance and he took it brilliantly after the break.
Was only denied a second courtesy of a fantastic save from Caoimhin Kelleher.
Get building that statue because he has just certified his status as a Newcastle legend.
SUBSTITUTES
Callum Wilson (on for Isak, 82 minutes) – 6
Continued the great work-rate his fellow striker had produced to see the game out.
Joe Willock (on for Barnes, 82 minutes) – 7
Ran-and-ran after coming on to get his team over the line.
Emil Krafth (on for Murphy, 90 minutes) – NA