FOOTBALL
Carabao Cup glory for the Red Devils
Manchester United have won their first trophy in six years!
The scoreline is harsh on Newcastle, who have had 61 per cent of the possession and more shots (albeit most of them off target).
A superb header by Casemiro, willed past on the stretch from Shaw’s excellent free-kick earned United a 1-0 lead.
For the second goal,Rashford burst into the area, onto a cute little pass from Weghorst, and mishit a left-foot shot that deflected off Botman, six yards from goal, and looped over Karius.
The Magpies put everything into the second half to keep alive their hopes of winning a first domestic trophy since 1955. But it proved a task too far for Eddie Howe’s side.
Erik ten Hag’s substitutions were excellent.
Wan-Bissaka for Dalot, who was on a yellow against Saint-Maximin, at half-time showed his ruthless streak.
Later, McTominay and Sabitzer were bought in to stiffen the midfield when Newcastle were pushing with 20 minutes to go.
Casemiro once was magnificent putting out many fires and underlined his reputation as United’s best midfielder since Roy Keane. A display that earned him the Player of the match award.
Remarkably, the 30-year-old Brazilian has now won 17 of the 18 finals he has contested.
His one taste of disappointment was losing the Uefa Super Cup to Atletico Madrid when at Real Madrid.
Newcastle’s only chance came in the first half when De Gea showed razor-sharp reflexes to shoot out a hand and tip over Allan Saint-Maximin’s close-range shot after the forward turned and tricked Diogo Dalot.
Man United captain Bruno Fernandes said, “It’s an amazing feeling. We have been searching for this moment. Us the fans and clubs and all together, finally get our trophy and I think deservedly.”
“It has been an amazing period, first trophy of the season but we want more it is not enough for this club, we want more and we need more because our standards demand more.”
“For me it was about winning trophies and finally we did it. I am satisfied but I want more. I want much more.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said, “We played really well between both boxes today, we gave everything but we just didn’t get those breaks at both ends.”
“We should have defended the free-kick better and then the second goal is a killer.”
“We did everything to get back in the game. We had chances but couldn’t take them and that’s why we lost.”
“No complaints with how we played, obviously the scoreline doesn’t say that, and that’s where football can be cruel.”