Soccer

IT’S PARTY TYNE in Newcastle – and you cannot help but feel more good times are on the way.Eddie Howe put all of the big boys on notice after finally getting the monkey off Toon’s back.Eddie Howe has led a remarkable turnaround and ended the club’s long wait for silverwareCredit: GettyNewcastle can now establish themselves as part of the eliteCredit: GettyThe 56-year wait for silverware is over, his place amongst the legends is secured, but something even more special could be on the cards.This summer may in fact turn out to be the sliding doors moment that sees him go on to be THE all-time great.The turnaround under Howe since his arrival at the start of the Geordie Arabia revolution has been nothing short of remarkable.Despite being the richest club in the world, the Profit and Sustainability Rules have prevented a Saudi surge straight to the top.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNow, finally for the Toon Army and Howe, it all seems to be clicking into gear.Newcastle did blow the big bucks early on stars such as Kieran Trippier, captain Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and man of the moment Dan Burn.Naturally, signing that sort of quality lifted them from the foot of the table to safety – the first part of the Middle Eastern masterplan.Champions League qualification came the following season – probably a year or two ahead of schedule – as well as a League Cup final defeat to Manchester United.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThen, after a thrilling start, it felt like it had all gone a bit flat last season following their group stage exit in the Champions League coupled with star signing Sandro Tonali’s betting ban.Newcastle missed out on European qualification and due to PSR constraints Howe went through three lean transfer windows.Ant & Dec scream with joy and Alan Shearer loses his hat as Geordies go wild after Newcastle win Carabao CupNot only did he fail to add any significant new boys to his ranks, his squad was actually weakened as Yankuba Minteh, Lloyd Kelly and Miguel Almiron were all flogged to help balance the books.That only makes Sunday’s achievement at Wembley all the more impressive and it could be all systems go after finally getting rid of the long-wait for silverware.Last month the club revealed their latest financial results and they are now in a position to spend significantly again this summer.Howe has room in his squad and will look to add a new right winger, goalkeeper, and midfielder at least to his ranks.And the Wembley success only further strengthens their desire to hang on to their top stars.Dan Burn’s towering header can be the sliding doors moment for the club’s riseCredit: RexAlexander Isak is planning talks over a new deal at St James’ ParkCredit: GettyIsak has already indicated he is planning talks over a new contract in the summer and fellow Arsenal target Guimaraes declared his intention to land more silverware with the club.But a huge factor in whether this upcoming window will be a defining moment in the club’s history is still to come.It is the Champions League where everybody wants to play – and that is no different from Toon’s top players to their Saudi chiefs.The extra cash windfall that brings only strengthens their PSR position and enables them to spend more on transfer targets, but it helps keep their big names happy too.And after waiting a lifetime to see them lift a trophy and climb the summit of the mountain, it is key they don’t now come crashing down the other side with so much still to play for this term.Newcastle sit sixth in the Premier League table, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and with a game in hand on them and Manchester City in fifth.One cup final is done and dusted but the Magpies still have nine remaining in the chase for Champions League qualification.And amid the apparent turmoil at Manchester United and the uncertainty at Tottenham, if Howe can get his men over the line and into the top four, the opportunity is there to cement their status among the top dogs for years to come.Now is not the time to sit back and reflect on their achievements, it’s the time to strike.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith confirmation of their stunning new stadium due to come in the upcoming weeks, the club’s top brass need to make sure Howe has a team just as spectacular as their state-of-the-art home will be.What a time to be in Toon town.Carabao Cup final ratingsNEWCASTLE 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 lifeline on 94 minutes.But that goal was unable to spur a further comeback as Newcastle saw out the remaining added time.Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Liverpool players and Gary Stonehouse rated the Newcastle players. 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ALAN SHEARER’S long, long wait to see Newcastle win a trophy is over.And he made absolutely sure to celebrate the day in full.Alan Shearer revelled in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup winCredit: InstagramHe posed for photos at Wembley Boxpark with the likes of JoelintonCredit: InstagramShearer headed to Wembley with his kids Will and ChloeCredit: Instagram @alanshearerShearer’s beloved Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final thanks to goals from local hero Dan Burn and star striker Alexander Isak.And one of the club’s all-time greats was in the stands to soak up the occasion – before joining the players at the afterparty. Shearer, 54, got himself into a VIP box at Wembley where he was joined by kids Chloe and Will as well as a host of former Newcastle stars and celebrities. The likes of Yohan Cabaye, Warren Barton, Jonas Gutierrez, Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor and Steve Harper were in the same VIP box – as were South Shields’ Little Mix Jade Thirlwall plus James Bay.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd two competition winners managed to get seats at Shearer’s table – auction prizes from his foundation’s recent gala evening at the Hilton in Newcastle. The Toon icon opted for a smart casual look with a grey jumper over a white shirt, dark trousers and a flat cap – but made sure to show his colours with a black-and-white scarf. But there was nothing casual about his celebrations when Burn opened the scoring just before half-time as he leapt around in the posh seats. And Shearer could not contain his excitement when Isak made it 2-0 then again when the full-time whistle blew after a nervy injury time in which Federico Chiesa pulled one back for the Reds.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Premier League’s record goalscorer was regularly shown on TV throughout the game – as were duo Ant and Dec.But Shearer also kept pals Gary Lineker and Micah Richards updated throughout the day with some short videos shown on their Rest Is Football podcast.Alan Shearer is wild with celebration as Newcastle win the Carabao Cup The first saw the upbeat Geordie before he headed to Wembley before breaking into a cackling laugh in his first update from the stadium when he spotted two magpies in the floral table display.Shearer beamed: “Two f***ing magpies. It’s going to be our day.”Do you know what two magpies mean? One for sorrow, two for joy.”His half-time video heaped praise on big Burn following his goal and then he sent another one at the end, singing along to a Sam Fender song.Seemingly holding back tears, an emotional Shearer told the camera: “F***ing hell, 70 years, man.”We’ve done it. See you whenever lads, I’m not sure when I’ll see you somewhere.”Then after watching Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier lift the Carabao Cup trophy, Shearer and his family headed to Boxpark just a stone’s throw from the national stadium to continue the jubilations. Shearer updated The Rest Is Football lads with his excitable video messagesCredit: YouTube @TheRestIsFootballShearer sang along to Sam Fender during the trophy celebrationsCredit: YouTube @TheRestIsFootballThe emotion was clear to see for ShearerCredit: YouTube @TheRestIsFootballShearer filmed the scenes as thousands of the Toon Army sang various songs and chants.And then Eddie Howe’s triumphant squad headed into the venue to celebrate with the supporters.But as VIPs, the Shearers got into the exclusive area and posed for photos with the stars.Shearer got snaps with goalscorer Burn, Brazilian hero Joelinton and back-up goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, who was still in his kit.And the former Premier League winner with Blackburn – who was twice a beaten FA Cup finalist with his boyhood club – finally got his hands on Newcastle silverware as he put on Gillespie’s medal. Needless to say, Shearer did not join Lineker and Richards to film their podcast on Sunday night.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he did share posts to his Instagram story as early as 8am on Monday and then again later in the morning. Make no mistake about it, Alan Shearer made the most of witnessing his Newcastle side win the first major trophy in his lifetime. Shearer was in a VIP box with plenty of former Newcastle playersCredit: Instagram @steventaylor27officialHe wielded his scarf around his head when Alexander Isak made it 2-0Credit: Sky SportsShearer put on Mark Gillespie’s medal at the afterpartyCredit: Instagram @alanshearerThe Shearers joined the Toon Army in the celebrationsCredit: Instagram More

NEWCASTLE pulled off a stunning 2-1 Carabao Cup final victory over Wembley at Liverpool to win their first domestic trophy in 70 years.And given the Magpies’ dismal record in cup competitions spanning decades, few gave them much of a chance at all of overcoming the Premier League leaders at Wembley.The Wealdstone Raider was one of very few people to perfectly guess the outcome of the Carabao Cup finalCredit: https://x.com/brfcsammieHe previously went viral for his antics at Wealdstone gamesCredit: Andrew Styczynski – The SunDan Burn netted a headed goal as the Wealdstone Raider predictedCredit: APFew, that is, except 59-year-old Gordon Hill, better known as the Wealdstone Raider.The non-league superfan was seen donning a Newcastle shirt as he was interviewed ahead of the big match.And when asked what the score would be, he said: “2-1 Newcastle.”He was then asked who the first goalscorer would be and incredible responded: “You know what, I think Dan Burn to celebrate the England call-up.READ MORE NEWCASTLE NEWS”Well done for that Dan, you deserve it. Header, boom, straight in there.”And on 45 minutes, Burn did exactly what the Wealdstone Raider said he would do.Attacking a corner, the defender got to the ball first and coolly headed into Caoimhin Kelleher’s bottom right hand corner.Burn, who has just been called up to the England squad for the first time, has scored just seven goals in his four seasons on Tyneside.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd this goal was his first of the current season.Alexander Isak would then add a second goal after half time before Federico Chiesa pulled one back late on to make the final score exactly the 2-1 Toon victory that the Wealdstone Raider had predicted. Inside Newcastle’s wild dressing room celebrations as Burn does trademark dance and Longstaff drinks out of Carabao CupAfter the match, boss Eddie Howe joked that Dan Burn hadn’t shown any signs of making a goalscoring contribution during their set piece drills in training.He commented: “We worked consistently for two weeks on set plays just for this game and if you had seen us in practice you would have said we had no chance.”We couldn’t believe Dan Burn scored – he didn’t train like that! He was a colossus for us.”And fans were just as surprised that the prediction had come true, with many left wondering where the Wealdstone Raider’s knowledge of future events had come from.One posted on X: “Wealdstone raider turned mystic Meg”Another wrote: “Get the Wealdstone Raider to give us his lottery numbers. Blimey.”And a third commented: “someone had a vision” More