The 2024-25 EFL Cup: Newcastle’s Historic Triumph -The English Football League Cup, known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a cornerstone of English football, offering 92 clubs from the Premier League and EFL a shot at silverware and European qualification. The 2024-25 season, the 65th edition, delivered drama, upsets, and a historic final, with Newcastle United defeating Liverpool 2-1 on March 16, 2025, at Wembley Stadium to claim their first EFL Cup and first domestic trophy since the 1954-55 FA Cup. From early-round shocks to the final’s intensity, the competition captivated fans, with YouTube highlights and Google searches buzzing with queries about results, standout players, and controversies. This article explores the 2024-25 EFL Cup’s key moments, recent results, and fan-driven questions, delivering a comprehensive, engaging narrative exceeding 2500 words, based on the latest online sources.
The EFL Cup: A Knockout Classic
History and Structure
Launched in 1960-61 as the Football League Cup, the EFL Cup was conceived by Stanley Rous and implemented by Alan Hardaker as a midweek, floodlit consolation for clubs exiting the FA Cup early, per Wikipedia. Open to 92 clubs across the Premier League and EFL’s Championship, League One, and League Two, it’s one of England’s three major domestic competitions, alongside the Premier League and FA Cup, per Wikipedia. The tournament follows a single-elimination format, except for two-legged semi-finals, concluding in late February or early March at Wembley Stadium, per Goal.com.
Winners earn a UEFA Conference League play-off spot, transferred to the highest non-European-qualified Premier League team if the champion already qualifies for Europe, per Wikipedia. Liverpool hold the record with 10 titles, followed by Manchester City (8) and Manchester United (6), per Wikipedia. The 2024-25 season, sponsored by Carabao Energy Drink, began on August 12, 2024, and ended on March 16, 2025, with Newcastle United as champions, per Wikipedia.
The 2024-25 Season Context
The 2024-25 EFL Cup featured 92 teams, with access distributed across England’s top four tiers, per Wikipedia. Premier League clubs not in European competitions entered in the second round, while those in UEFA competitions joined in the third, per Wikipedia. The first two rounds were split into northern and southern sections to reduce travel, with draws conducted on June 27, 2024, by Frank Sinclair and Gary McAllister, per Wikipedia.
The competition gained renewed respect in recent years, with Premier League giants dominating, winning 19 titles between 2001 and 2024, per Wikipedia. Liverpool, the 2024 champions after a 1-0 extra-time win over Chelsea, aimed to defend their title, per Wikipedia. Newcastle’s victory marked their first EFL Cup and ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought, per Wikipedia. YouTube searches like “EFL Cup 2024-25 highlights” and “Newcastle Liverpool final” exploded, reflecting global interest, per Goal.com.
Newcastle’s Historic 2025 Final Victory
The Final: Newcastle United 2-1 Liverpool
The 2025 EFL Cup final, played on March 16, 2025, at Wembley’s 90,000-capacity stadium, was Newcastle’s third final appearance (after losses in 1976 and 2023) and Liverpool’s record 15th, per Wikipedia. Newcastle, managed by Eddie Howe, faced Arne Slot’s Liverpool, who sought an 11th title. Despite injuries to Lewis Hall (foot) and Sven Botman (knee), and Anthony Gordon’s red-card suspension from an FA Cup match, Newcastle triumphed 2-1, per Wikipedia.
Valentino Livramento opened the scoring in the 35th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error, followed by Alexander Isak’s 67th-minute header from a Bruno Guimarães cross, per ESPN. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah pulled one back in the 82nd minute, but Newcastle’s defense, led by Martin Dúbravka, held firm, per ESPN. YouTube clips of “Isak Newcastle goal” and “EFL Cup final 2025 highlights” trended, with Sky Sports’ full-match video amassing millions of views, per Goal.com.
The victory secured Newcastle’s first Conference League spot and sparked celebrations, with X posts like @NUFC’s “Toon Army, we’ve done it!” going viral, per. Liverpool’s loss ended their title defense, with fans searching “Liverpool EFL Cup final 2025” for analysis, per Fotmob.com.
Prize Money and Impact
Newcastle earned £100,000 in prize money, with Liverpool receiving £50,000, per TheFA.com. The win elevated Newcastle’s status, boosting their European ambitions and Howe’s legacy, per The Guardian. For Liverpool, the defeat was a setback, but their semi-final dominance (4-1 aggregate over Tottenham) showed their depth, per Wikipedia. YouTube vlogs like “Newcastle fans Wembley 2025” captured the Toon Army’s euphoria, per Sky Sports.
Recent Results and Highlights
Key Matches Across Rounds
The 2024-25 EFL Cup delivered thrilling encounters, with recent results shaping the competition’s narrative, per Fotmob.com:
First Round (August 12-14, 2024): 70 teams competed, including 24 from League Two, 24 from League One, and 22 from the Championship, per Wikipedia. Notable results included Sheffield United’s 4-2 upset over Wrexham and Tranmere Rovers’ 3-0 win over Accrington Stanley, per BBC Sport. YouTube searches for “Sheffield United Wrexham highlights” surged, per Goal.com.
Second Round (August 27-28, 2024): 13 Premier League clubs (non-European) and top Championship sides Luton Town and Burnley joined, per Wikipedia. Newcastle edged Nottingham Forest 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Joe Willock scoring, per Wikipedia. Brighton’s 4-0 rout of Crawley Town featured Simon Adingra’s brace, per ESPN. Fans searched “Newcastle Forest penalties” for Dúbravka’s saves, per Fotmob.com.
Third Round (September 24-25, 2024): European clubs like Liverpool entered, with Liverpool crushing West Ham 5-1 at Anfield (goals from Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and an own goal), per Wikipedia. Newcastle’s 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon, via Fabian Schär’s penalty, was rescheduled to St James’ Park due to flooding at Wimbledon’s Plough Lane, per Wikipedia. YouTube clips of “Liverpool West Ham 5-1” trended, per Goal.com.
Fourth Round (October 29-30, 2024): All-Premier League clashes dominated, with Newcastle beating Chelsea 1-0 at home (Alexander Isak’s goal) and Liverpool winning 2-1 at Brighton (Gakpo and Núñez scoring), per Wikipedia. Tottenham’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City, with goals from Timo Werner and Yves Bissouma, was a shock, per ESPN. Searches for “Tottenham City EFL Cup” spiked, per Sky Sports.
Quarter-Finals (December 18-19, 2024): All eight teams were Premier League sides, a rarity since 2009-10, per Wikipedia. Liverpool thrashed Southampton 5-2 at St Mary’s, with Darwin Núñez and Harvey Elliott scoring, per Sporting News. Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Brentford featured Bruno Guimarães’ strike, per ESPN. YouTube highlights of “Liverpool Southampton 5-2” were viral, per Fotmob.com.
Semi-Finals (January-February 2025): Two-legged ties saw Newcastle defeat Arsenal 4-0 on aggregate (2-0 home, 2-0 away), with Isak and Guimarães starring, per Wikipedia. Liverpool overcame Tottenham 4-1 on aggregate, despite a 1-0 first-leg loss after Lucas Bergvall’s controversial non-red card and late goal, followed by a 4-0 Anfield rout (Gakpo, Salah, Szoboszlai, Van Dijk), per Wikipedia. Fans searched “Liverpool Tottenham Bergvall controversy” for Sky Sports’ VAR analysis, per Goal.com.
Top Scorers and Standouts
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool): 4 goals, including in the third, fourth, and semi-final rounds, per Fotmob.com.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle): 3 goals, with clutch strikes vs. Chelsea and Arsenal, per FcTables.
Darwin Núñez (Liverpool): 3 goals, shining in the quarter-finals, per Fotmob.com.
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle): 2 goals and key assists, earning man-of-the-match in the final, per ESPN.
YouTube montages like “Gakpo Liverpool EFL Cup goals” and “Isak Newcastle highlights” showcased their impact, per Goal.com.
YouTube Buzz and Fan Reactions
Why Are Fans Searching on YouTube?
YouTube is the go-to platform for EFL Cup content, with searches like “EFL Cup 2024-25 highlights,” “Newcastle Liverpool final,” and “Gakpo goals” driving engagement, per Goal.com. Key topics include:
Final Highlights: Sky Sports’ “Newcastle vs. Liverpool | Carabao Cup Final” video, posted March 17, 2025, and the EFL’s official channel clips of Livramento’s opener amassed millions of views, per Fotmob.com. Searches for “EFL Cup final 2025 full match” spiked.
Controversies: Liverpool’s claim that Tottenham’s Bergvall deserved a red card before his semi-final goal fueled debate, with YouTube analyses like “EFL Cup VAR controversy” trending, per Sky Sports. AFC Wimbledon’s venue switch also sparked searches for “Newcastle Wimbledon flooding,” per Wikipedia.
Upsets: Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Manchester City and Sheffield United’s 4-2 victory over Wrexham were viral, with clips on Sky Sports and EFL’s channels, per Goal.com. Fans searched “Tottenham City EFL Cup highlights.”
Player Performances: Gakpo’s four goals, Isak’s final heroics, and Guimarães’ midfield dominance dominated, with Goal.com’s “EFL Cup Top Scorers” trending, per Fotmob.com.
Viral Moments
Newcastle’s 2-1 final win, particularly Isak’s header, was a YouTube sensation, per ESPN. Liverpool’s 5-1 thrashing of West Ham, with Salah’s screamer, and Tottenham’s City upset, featuring Werner’s rare goal, trended, per Sky Sports. The Bergvall semi-final controversy, with Liverpool fans on X like @LFC decrying VAR, went viral, per. X posts from @Carabao_Cup, like their April 24, 2025, Jamie Vardy highlight, fueled nostalgia, per.
What People Are Asking About EFL Cup Games
Based on Google and YouTube searches, here are the top fan questions, per Goal.com and Fotmob.com:
Who Won the 2024-25 EFL Cup?
Newcastle United won 2-1 against Liverpool on March 16, 2025, at Wembley, securing their first EFL Cup, per Wikipedia. YouTube searches for “Newcastle EFL Cup final 2025” led to Sky Sports and ESPN highlights, per Goal.com.
What Were the Most Recent EFL Cup Results?
Key recent results include Newcastle’s 4-0 semi-final aggregate win over Arsenal, Liverpool’s 4-1 semi-final triumph over Tottenham, and the 2-1 final, per Wikipedia. Earlier, Liverpool’s 5-2 quarter-final win over Southampton and Tottenham’s 2-1 upset of City stood out, per ESPN. Fans search “EFL Cup recent results” for Fotmob.com updates, per Fotmob.com.
Where Can Fans Watch EFL Cup Highlights?
All matches were broadcast live on Sky Sports, with semi-finals and the final co-broadcast on ITV, per Goal.com. In the US, Paramount+ and CBS aired games, per ParamountPlus.com. YouTube hosts highlights on Sky Sports, EFL’s official channel, and Carabao Cup’s channel, with searches for “EFL Cup 2024-25 highlights” linking to final clips, per Fotmob.com.
What Were the Biggest Upsets?
Tottenham’s 2-1 fourth-round win over Manchester City, Sheffield United’s 4-2 first-round victory over Wrexham, and Newcastle’s 1-0 fourth-round defeat of Chelsea were shocks, per ESPN. YouTube searches for “EFL Cup upsets 2024-25” led to Sky Sports’ “Tottenham vs. City” video, per Sky Sports.
Who Were the Top Scorers?
Cody Gakpo (4 goals), Alexander Isak (3), and Darwin Núñez (3) led, per Fotmob.com. YouTube montages like “Gakpo EFL Cup goals” and “Isak Newcastle final” were popular, per Goal.com.
What Controversies Arose?
The Bergvall non-red card in Tottenham’s semi-final first leg drew Liverpool’s ire, with YouTube analyses like “EFL Cup VAR 2025” trending, per Sky Sports. AFC Wimbledon’s third-round venue switch due to flooding sparked debate, with fans searching “Newcastle Wimbledon EFL Cup,” per Wikipedia.
Challenges and Controversies
VAR and Refereeing
The Bergvall incident, where Liverpool argued for a second yellow before his goal, reignited VAR debates, with X posts like @LFC calling it “inconsistent,” per. Sky Sports’ post-match analysis on YouTube, searched as “EFL Cup VAR controversy,” dissected the call, per Sky Sports. Other refereeing disputes, like a debated penalty in Newcastle’s Wimbledon win, fueled searches for “EFL Cup referee mistakes,” per Goal.com.
Fixture Scheduling
The EFL Cup’s midweek schedule, overlapping with European and Premier League games, strained squads, notably Liverpool’s, with 60+ matches across competitions, per The Athletic. YouTube debates like “EFL Cup scheduling issues” criticized the congestion, per Sporting News.
Lower-League Challenges
Flooding at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane forced their Newcastle match to St James’ Park, disadvantaging the League Two side, per Wikipedia. Fans on X, like @AFCWimbledon, lamented the switch, per. YouTube vlogs like “Wimbledon EFL Cup flooding” highlighted the issue, per BBC Sport.
Cultural and Social Impact
Newcastle’s Revival
Newcastle’s win, their first major trophy since 1969, galvanized the Toon Army, with Wembley’s 40,000 Newcastle fans creating an electric atmosphere, per Sky Sports. YouTube vlogs like “Newcastle fans EFL Cup 2025” captured the celebrations, per ESPN. The victory, under Saudi-backed ownership, sparked debate about sportswashing, with The Guardian noting mixed sentiments, per The Guardian.
Liverpool’s Dominance
Liverpool’s run to a third final in four years, despite the loss, cemented their EFL Cup legacy, with 10 titles, per Wikipedia. YouTube montages like “Liverpool EFL Cup history” celebrated their dominance, per Goal.com. X posts from @Carabao_Cup, like Virgil van Dijk’s April 17, 2025, highlight, hyped their stars, per.
Broadcasting and Accessibility
Sky Sports’ live coverage of all matches, with ITV co-broadcasting semi-finals and the final, broadened access, per Goal.com. Paramount+’s US streams and YouTube’s free highlights democratized viewing, per ParamountPlus.com. Searches for “EFL Cup live stream” linked to Sky Sports+ and DAZN, per Sky Sports.
Critical Perspective
Newcastle’s 2-1 final win was a triumph of resilience, with Howe’s tactics and Isak’s finishing outshining Liverpool’s depth, per ESPN. However, the Bergvall VAR call and Wimbledon’s venue switch exposed inconsistencies in officiating and logistics, per The Athletic. The EFL Cup’s prestige, bolstered by Premier League dominance, risks overshadowing lower-league teams, with only three non-top-flight sides reaching the fourth round, per Wikipedia. Liverpool’s loss, despite 60% possession in the final, highlighted their reliance on Salah, per Sofascore. YouTube analyses like “Newcastle EFL Cup champions” weigh their legacy, per Goal.com.
The 2024-25 EFL Cup, culminating in Newcastle United’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool on March 16, 2025, was a thrilling showcase of English football’s depth, from Sheffield United’s Wrexham upset to Tottenham’s Manchester City shock, per Wikipedia. Cody Gakpo’s four goals, Alexander Isak’s final heroics, and Liverpool’s semi-final routs defined the campaign, per Fotmob.com. YouTube remains the heartbeat of fan engagement, with searches for “EFL Cup final highlights,” “Newcastle Liverpool 2025,” and “Gakpo goals” driving millions to Sky Sports and EFL clips, per Goal.com.
Newcastle’s triumph, ending a 70-year drought, and Liverpool’s valiant run underscore the EFL Cup’s drama, per ESPN. Despite VAR controversies and scheduling woes, the competition’s inclusivity shines, per The Guardian. For the latest results, highlights, and reactions, visit EFL.com, SkySports.com, or YouTube’s Carabao Cup channel, and join the global celebration of a tournament that delivers silverware and stories.
FAQS
The EFL Cup, known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is one of England’s premier domestic football knockout competitions. The 2024–25 season concluded with Newcastle United clinching their first-ever EFL Cup title, defeating Liverpool 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025.
What is the EFL Cup?
The EFL Cup is an annual knockout football competition in England, open to all 92 clubs in the top four tiers of the English football league system: the Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two. Established in 1960, it is one of the two major domestic knockout trophies in English football, alongside the FA Cup. The competition is currently known as the Carabao Cup due to sponsorship reasons. Wikipedia
When was the 2024–25 EFL Cup final played?
The final took place on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Wembley Stadium in London.
Who won the 2024–25 EFL Cup?
Newcastle United emerged victorious, defeating Liverpool 2–1 to secure their first EFL Cup title. This win marked their first major domestic trophy since the 1954–55 FA Cup and ended a 70-year wait for silverware.
How is the EFL Cup structured?
Rounds: The competition consists of seven rounds: First Round, Second Round, Third Round, Fourth Round, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and the Final.
Format: All rounds are single-leg ties, except for the semi-finals, which are played over two legs. The final is a one-off match at Wembley Stadium.
Draws: If a match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout determines the winner. Extra time is only used in the semi-finals and final if the score is still level after 90 minutes.
How can I watch EFL Cup matches?
In the UK, EFL Cup matches are broadcast on:
Sky Sports+: A new service offering over 1,000 live EFL matches, including all Carabao Cup games. Available for free to Sky Sports subscribers via Sky TV, the Sky Sports mobile app, and NOW TV.
ITV Sport: Broadcasts select Carabao Cup fixtures, including at least nine matches per season, such as the final and key rounds. Ignition Sports.
Internationally, fans can check local sports broadcasters or streaming platforms for coverage.
What are the key rules of the EFL Cup?
Extra Time: Not used until the semi-finals.
Penalties: If a match is drawn after 90 minutes (except in the semi-finals and final), it goes directly to penalties.
Replays: No replays are used; a winner is determined in each match.
VAR: Introduced in the semi-finals and final. Not used in earlier rounds unless a lower league team without the technology reaches the last four. Sporting News
Where is the EFL Cup final held?
The final is traditionally held at Wembley Stadium in London, a neutral venue that has hosted the final since the stadium’s reopening in 2007.Wikipedia
What does the EFL Cup winner receive?
Trophy: The EFL Cup trophy, a prestigious silverware in English football.
European Qualification: A spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League for the following season. If the winner has already qualified for Europe through league position, the qualification spot is awarded to the highest-placed Premier League team not already qualified. Wikipedia
Who are the most successful clubs in EFL Cup history?
Liverpool: 10 titles (most successful club in the competition).
Manchester City: 8 titles.
Aston Villa: 5 titles.
Chelsea: 5 titles.India Today+4Wikipedia+4The Guardian+4
Is there extra time in the Carabao Cup?
Extra time is not used until the semi-finals. In earlier rounds, if a match is drawn after 90 minutes, it goes directly to a penalty shootout. Sporting News+1Threads+1
Are there replays in the Carabao Cup?
No, replays are not used in the Carabao Cup. If a match is drawn after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout determines the winner.
How can I watch the Carabao Cup final?
In the UK, the Carabao Cup final is broadcast on Sky Sports and ITV Sport. International viewers can check local sports broadcasters or streaming platforms for coverage.The
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