Carabao Cup

FOOTIE fans were left in hysterics during Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final celebrations.The Magpies ended their 70-year-long wait for domestic silverware last weekend with a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley.Newcastle United ended their 70-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao CupCredit: REXSean Longstaff celebrated wildly as the trophy was hoisted in the confetti-filled airCredit: SKY SPORTSThe midfielder seemed to gag on the confettiCredit: SKY SPORTSThe Magpies were over the moon after the final whistle, but even more so when they finally got their hands on the trophy.Eddie Howe’s troops leapt for the stars after being presented the cup in the Royal Box.Green and white confetti filled the sky as the Toon stars celebrated, although a piece of it ended up getting caught in Sean Longstaff’s mouth.Footage of the midfielder reacting to the confetti going into his mouth spread like wildfire on social media, with one footie fan saying: “Unbelievable.”READ MORE ON NEWCASTLEAnother said: “Dying!”And another said: “Could only be Longstaff.”One remarked: “I saw this while replaying and laughed my head off. Glad you’re okay Sean, we love you!”Another chimed in: “Missed this and now p***ing myself at Longstaff nearly choking to death on a bit of confetti.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSCarabao 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.Howe – the first English manager to win a major trophy since 2008 – was overjoyed to have ended Newcastle’s trophy drought.The 47-year-old said: “We were well aware of the history.How Newcastle outsmarted Liverpool with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak’s genius tricks”We knew what was at stake for all our fans — we wanted to do them, and the club proud and win the trophy.”Eddie Howe was over the moon to end Newcastle’s trophy droughtCredit: REX More

ALAN SHEARER shed a tear for his late father following Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final triumph.The Magpies ended their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday.Newcastle United ended their 70-year wait for domestic silverware with a 2-1 win over LiverpoolCredit: REXClub legend Alan Shearer went wild after the final whistleCredit: MATCHDAY IMAGES LTDShearer revealed he then shed a tear as he thought about his late father, AlanCredit: THE REST IS FOOTBALLClub legend Shearer, his son Will and daughter Chloe were among the thousands of Geordies who were in a state of ecstasy after the final whistle.But his thoughts quickly turned to his late father Alan, who passed away last year following his battle with cancer.During the latest episode of the Rest is Football Podcast, he said: “I must admit, I had a tear or two [in my eye] when the final whistle went because I thought of my old man.”He was lucky enough, he went to the ’69 final when they won the Fairs Cup, so he sampled it a little bit.READ MORE ON NEWCASTLE”But I just wish he’d been there yesterday. But he’d been looking down.”According to Shearer, his old man was still thinking about the team during his final days on the planet.He continued: “Even in his last few days, he was on about Newcastle and how he wanted them to do well and win the trophy and what have you.”But me and Will and my daughter Chloe and her boyfriend were all at the game yesterday so we’ll give him a little nod.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAlan Shearer is wild with celebration as Newcastle win the Carabao CupCredit: INSTAGRAM@ALANSHEARERShearer bravely opened up on the passing of his father last year, writing in a column for The Athletic: “He told us exactly what he wanted and he told us that when the time came, he wanted to be at home. And he was.”We were all there with him and it was very peaceful. The pain had gone.Alan Shearer’s daughter Chloe and Newcastle stars go wild at Boxpark as they celebrate famous Carabao Cup final win”On the way, there were light and dark moments.”We knew what was coming and one day when I was trying to switch off for a couple of hours, I got a call from my mam, ‘Dad wants you and Karen home now. He’s ready to go.'”In the end, he lasted for another 27 or 28 hours.”But on that final evening, he talked through his life, the people he had fights with and didn’t like and plans for his own funeral.”He was laughing and reminiscing. The clarity was amazing.”Newcastle will parade the Carabao Cup trophy around the city on Saturday, March 29.Shearer, who at We,bley with son Will and daughter Chloe, celebrates with Dan BurnCredit: Instagram More

NEWCASTLE fans have waited 70 years to see their club win silverware and finally the Toon Army have something to celebrate.Goals by Blyth-born Dan Burn and star striker Alexander Isak sunk Liverpool 2-1 to lift the Carabao Cup at Wembley.Eddie Howe outsmarted Arne Slot on set-piecesCredit: GettyNewcastle’s midfield three were crucial to the dominant performanceCredit: GettyNewcastle fully deserved victory and laid the blueprint for how to stop Arne Slot’s Reds and nullify goal machine Mo Salah.In the latest episode of SunSport’s Tactics Exposed, our expert DEAN SCOGGINS explains ‘Howe’ it was done…1. Burn Baby BurnA local lad scoring in a cup final is what dreams are made of.But this was masterminded by Howe and his coaches, shattering Liverpool’s zonal marking system.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey used Burn perfectly. Slot leaves five big lads in front of the six-yard box by the goalkeeper and then he sends the other players out to mark, like the smaller Alexis MacAllister.Newcastle floated the ball to Burn to isolate the man mountain against Mac AllisterSo Newcastle put Fabian Schar, Joelinton and big Burn in those positions to hit clipped, flat corners, letting them win aerial duels, while Bruno Guimaraes gets in the way of Liverpool’s big lads on the edge of the six-yard box.Liverpool defend like this a lot and it’s fantastic from Howe and Jason Tindall because they’ve taken Liverpool’s two best headers in Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk out of the picture as they can’t get to the ball.There’s this square in front of them that becomes Newcastle’s territory and it is all wrong for Slot.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDan Burn’s bullet header nestled into the bottom cornerCredit: RexOnce pushing trolleys at Asda, now in the England squad, what a week Burn has had.2. Isak leaves VVD in a spinIsak’s classic “go, stop, go” movement fooled Van Dijk. A burst of movement before holding back and going again to create a yard of space.Making it 2-0, it was Van Dijk’s mistake, he got caught under the ball and he knew it.The cross comes in from the left and the ball goes over both Isak and Van Dijk to Jacob Murphy.As the ball goes to winger, Isak does his movement to create himself three or four yards of space. Isak’s clever movement fooled Van DijkAs the ball goes over the Liverpool skipper’s head, his position is wrong. He gets himself into a situation where Isak can almost see his shirt number and he takes his eye off the Swede. Van Dijk should be in a position so when the ball drops to Isak, he can sprint out and close the ball down to, at the very worst, block the shot. Instead he is caught nowhere near the goalscorer.Van Dijk’s reaction said it allCredit: Rex3. Three midfield heroes First and foremost, they were the epitome of the Geordie nation, the Toon Army. Everything came through them.Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali – the blocks, the dual successes, the headers, the tackles and most importantly, they work together as a three.In the match, Tonali is the one who breaks out of the three to join Isak in the press. And then the other two are ready to pounce behind.It is man-for-man, but if it they get through the press, they work hard to retreat into a compact shape. Liverpool did not have control and their midfielder had no time on the ball – you’re looking around thinking, ‘as soon as I receive the ball here, I’m going to get smashed by one of these physical three’. It felt like three against one.The midfield’s pressing, physicality and desire was keyBut tactics aside, to implement a plan properly and have the levels of effort required is a credit to those three players.You can tell a team how to play and you can talk about tactics, but if the players don’t trust it and don’t commit to it, it’s not going to work.Newcastle won the midfield battle4. ‘Howe’ they broke LiverpoolEddie Howe take a bow, this was a blueprint of how to stop Liverpool – after PSG did a similar thing in the Champions League.Newcastle pressed with four or five players, forcing Liverpool to go long.The most important thing is the fifth player makes a good decision, because if he goes and there’s too many – that’s the press gone and you’re outnumbered in midfield and in front of the back four. Newcastle pressed aggressively and made Liverpool go longIn the coaching manual, we are told to make the pitch small when you’re defending and make the pitch big when you’re attacking. But what Newcastle do is throw that out the window and go, ‘we’re going to make it massive and force the keeper and defenders to go long’ into the space behind the press.Their man-for-man pressing system forced Liverpool into going direct and when they went long, those duels were won easily by Burn, Schar and Joelinton.The midfield made it chaotic and it was very, very difficult for the Reds to get out.Newcastle’s big lads won the aerial duels with ease5. Slow Mo – how Salah was stoppedIn Salah’s eight games at Wembley, he has scored in just one of them.Again, he was a shadow of his usual self at the home of English football and he touched the ball just once in the box versus the Magpies. Liverpool like to use Salah in the build-up, coming in off the sideline to receive passes into his feet that let him turn and dribble Liverpool up the pitch.But the Toon created a black and white wall around him by swarming as the balls were fired into him.Salah was surrounded by Newcastle stars in the build-up of Liverpool attacksThey stopped these passes being effective and every time he got the ball, he touched it backwards towards his own half.Liverpool could not isolate Salah one-vs-one against Tino Livramento, who is a good one-vs-one defender anyway, doing an outstanding job if the Egyptian King ever did have space to run into.Most of Salah’s touches came from chasing long balls over the top into the channel after Newcastle’s brilliant press.READ MORE SUN STORIESSalah had a frustrating afternoon and could not get touches in dangerous areasNewcastle had the effort and application to make this a perfect final performance and make their fans’ dreams come true.Liverpool are 12 points ahead and have won the Premier League – but their route to the title would not be so simple if Howe laid out this masterplan earlier in the season. 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NEWCASTLE confirmed the date for their Carabao Cup trophy parade despite mystery over a deleted tweet.The Toon ended their 70-year wait for silverware yesterday, beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium thanks to goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak.Newcastle will parade the Carabao Cup across TynesideCredit: RexGeordie celebrations went long into the night as players drank from the cup and thousands of fans headed out to party.Newcastle’s heroes are now set for a parade across Tyneside to show off their silverware.The club confirmed the date of the event, telling fans on social media to keep Saturday 29th March free.But the tweet was then swiftly deleted by Newcastle.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDespite the post being taken down, fans are expected to line the streets after talks were held between the club, City Council and Northumbria Police.Newcastle will confirm full details “in the near future”.The date has been chosen as the majority of the triumphant squad are due to jet off for international duty across the globe.That included both goalscorers, Brazilians Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, plus England duo Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd those not heading off to represent their country have flown to Saudi Arabia for a warm-weather training camp.But the full team, coaching staff, officials and the Toon Army will all be back on March 29.Eddie Howe fights back tears as he dedicates Carabao Cup to late mum as Newcastle hero Dan Burn says ‘don’t wake me up’Eddie Howe’s side do not have a fixture that weekend as they lost in the FA Cup 2-1 to Brighton.Their next match comes after the parade on the April 2 when they welcome Brentford to St James’ Park.The celebration is something to look forward and Howe said: “There has to be a big celebration. I certainly will be encouraging it, which is very rare for me, usually I’m the other way. “We have to celebrate, hopefully with our supporters, with everyone that’s waited so long.”It is difficult as it’s international duty. Players will be going off here, there and everywhere. There won’t be long to spend together but hopefully it will be really enjoyable.”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. More

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