WE FUCKING WON IT!!

TF Match Report: NUFC 2-1 Liverpool. Stephen has your report on the 9pm out of King's Cross

What is this sensation? What is this thing that comes after the jubilation? What do you do when you’ve finished singing Sam Fender tunes, the players have paraded the cup and the Liverpool fans have gone home?

The overwhelming emotion … relief! Seventy years of domestic drought, they’re over. A complete and utter bettering of Liverpool, Eddie Howe’s first win over them. A trophy for the lads who got us out of it in 2022, took us to Milan and Paris in 2023 and now … into the winners circle.

This correspondent has at times been a vocal critic of Eddie Howe. No more! This man has done what Robson and Keegan were unable to do. He has galvanised this group to treat the 2025 final very differently from 2023. To prioritise turning up today, to want and need those percentages that make all the difference. The squad of players delivered.

The fans did too. Covent Garden was interesting and I’m sure some people had very sore heads Sunday morning waking up around the capital. The pubs were loud and the name of Sandro Tonali echoed around the whole city. Once we were inside, the whole place hit lift off, the scarves, the flags and the whole place felt like it was rocking.

It starts with the back five. They were expertly marshalled by Kieran Trippier, Mo Salah got no change out of the back line and a special mention for the lad from Blyth. Fifteen million, goals versus PSG, Leicester and now a cup final header. Who cares that he had about a one foot height advantage over his marker, where did the ball end up.

Can Liverpool say they deserved more? Probably not. They looked devoid of ideas in the first half and to be kind they gave the impression of a team mentally thinking they just needed to turn up.

The midfield. Joelinton a colossus, crashing into every tackle, never letting their players settle and chasing every ball no matter the cause. Sandro showing that he can do gamesmanship, as well as quality and control. We missed him last season and he’s been transformational since December and returning to the six role. Again though Bruno … you could see what it meant to him at the final whistle and the manager had a little one on one time with him. Played with his heart from the first minute and deserved the adulation he justifiably got before the trophy lift and after. He had faith even when we were in the bottom three, that’s been rewarded now.

When Anthony Gordon saw red two weeks ago, some thought the chance had gone. Fair play to Harvey Barnes, I didn’t see that performance coming. He terrorised the right back, left him for dead a couple of times and though he didn’t add to his goal and assist numbers, replaced by Willock to just carry on running.

On the other side Jacob Murphy, much aligned but a constant outlet, doubled up when Liverpool ended the game with nine attackers on (it felt like that). Didn’t lose his head at any point and played like the fan we know he is. Southampton waves and Wembley medals – what a career this lad has had with the club.

The striker, the one they all want but can’t have. Took his goal expertly, nearly added a second and had another disallowed. Virgil won’t want to see him again, mind he didn’t get near him for a lot of the afternoon.

The subs did their part. Sean Longstaff stood up and walked as if to come on, then sat back down for Emil Krafth. Played his part. Joe Willock is a specialist at running down the clock, who knew. Callum Wilson hassled and harried and nearly forced a third, we weren’t there to be liked, we were here to compete.

All those stats about all those teams who’ve won more since us, done. Keep your Ronnie Radford goals on the third round footage, just make sure you remember we aren’t desperate for a trophy anymore. Pochettino at Spurs was a nearly man, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle delivered when it mattered.

A sleeping giant has awoken, with goals scored by giants in both physical stature (Burn) and talent (Isak). The season isn’t over, the weekend couldn’t have gone better, enjoy Dubai or international duty boys … you bloody deserve it!

Stephen Ord @smord84