Newcastle United's unbeaten Premier League run was finally ended by Liverpool who inflicted a painful defeat on the Magpies at a rain-sodden St James' Park.
The mood in the build-up to the club's first major final since 1999 was dampened but only slightly as Toon fans chanted excitedly about their first trip to Wembley for more than two decades. Defeat was tough for United but they were also served a hammer blow when Nick Pope's red card resulted in automatic suspension.
It means one of the stars of the season will not be between the posts for the Carabao Cup final next week.
READ MORE: Nick Pope suspended for Carabao Cup final after Liverpool red card leaving Newcastle in trouble
United had went into the game looking to set a new unbeaten league record by extending their run to 18 matches but it wasn't to be. The big selection call beforehand surrounded hamstring victim Joe Willock and who would replace him but it was young Geordie Elliot Anderson who came in.
Ahead of kick off a poignant flag display on what would have been Sir Bobby Robson's 90th birthday took place around St James'. It was followed by what was scheduled to be a minute's silence for Christian Atsu, who lost his life in the earthquake in Turkey, but it spontaneously turned into 60 seconds of applause from both sets of fans.
It felt right and set the tone for the big occasion with Newcastle making a bright start. First Miguel Almiron was denied by Alisson on four minutes before Allan Saint-Maximin toiled down the left.
But it was the visitors who opened the scoring with just 10 minutes played as Newcastle conceded only their seventh goal at home in the Premier League this season. Trent Alexander-Arnold lifted a ball over the top from the right flank for £85million man Darwin Nunez to latch on to before he controlled and fired past a grounded Nick Pope.
The big-money signing from Benfica had to sweat for a moment or two as the goal was checked by VAR for offside but it stood and Newcastle were set an early challenge. An animated Dan Burn threw his arms in the air in a bid to gee his team-mates up but Liverpool came at them again five minutes later, this time though Kieran Trippier hooked clear from Alexander-Arnold's cross.
With 17 minutes gone Mo Salah delicately dinked the ball into the danger area with £45million signing from PSV Eindhoven calmly stroking the ball home for a second Liverpool goal. A nightmare scenario then unfolded on 22 minutes as Salah went clean through with Pope rushing out to meet him.
A rush of blood from Pope, who has been excellent this season, saw him elect to try to smother the ball with his hands despite being 10 yards from his penalty area. Referee Anthony Taylor could not get his red card out quick enough as he stuck to the letter of the law and the realisation he was banned for the final took seconds to sink in.
With more than an hour to play against the Reds, Slovakia international Martin Dubravka was called off the bench and replaced youngster Anderson. Newcastle tried to haul themselves back into it through Saint-Maximin on 31 minutes but Alisson got a hand on his shot on the turn.
And before the break towering defender, Dan Burn rose high before striking the bar at the Leazes End but Liverpool went in with a commanding lead at the break. Newcastle at least made a game of it after the break but could not find a way back into it.
The second half saw Alexander Isak get a sight of goal as he swung a left boot at a chance inside the box but the ball went well wide. Liverpool star Nunez then made a run across the box before unleashing a shot which Dubravka saved well.
Jurgen Klopp then made a quadruple change close to the hour as Gakpo went off for Firmino, Nunex went off for James Milner, Jordan Henderson was replaced by Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott came on for youngster Stefan Bajcetic.
A driving run from Saint-Maximin saw a shot flash wide from the left as United tried to get back into the game on the hour mark. Howe then made a trio of changes when he brought on Callum Wilson, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy with Almiron, Trippier and Isak all going off.
Newcastle then turned to Matt Ritchie for the final 20 minutes as he replaced Joelinton. With 15 minutes to go, Andrew Robertson squared the ball for Salah when the goal was gaping but it proved to be a let off for the Magpies.
An excellent run from Gordon saw him slip in fellow sub Wilson with nine minutes left but Alisson came out and blocked well. And that was it United's invitation to get back into the game and been and gone.
Jota headed wide with two minutes left as Liverpool threatened a third but there was an air of resignation around the field from a black and white point of view. Jota went round Dubravka again but his shot was cleared on the line by Burn.
That would have been harsh on the 10 men of Newcastle but the by that time this game and their unbeaten run was long gone. And so on to Wembley...
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