More stories

  • in

    ‘Completely misread the room’ – Newcastle fans left fuming after train ban on alcohol for Carabao Cup final day

    NEWCASTLE fans are fuming after being banned from drinking alcohol on trains on Carabao Cup final day.Toon take on Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday in their first major final for 24 years.
    Newcastle fans have criticised the decision to ban boozeCredit: Getty
    But fans have been left dismayed by the decision of the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) to ban alcohol on trains from London King’s Cross to Newcastle after 7pm on Sunday.
    The Football Supporters Association is now in a dispute with the train company and accused them of targeting football fans trying to enjoy a day out.
    The FSA tweeted: “We’ve long been opposed to dry trains that target football fans for just being football fans on a day out.
    “This move from LNER for the League Cup final won’t achieve much and has completely misread the mood amongst NUFC fans, which will be celebratory regardless.”
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    A response from the rail company read: “The decision has been taken in co-operation with the British Transport Police to prevent any unnecessary antisocial behaviour, fuelled by alcohol.
    “We want fans to enjoy themselves, but not at the risk of injury to other customers or our colleagues.
    “We will have additional security and Transport Police in place at London King’s Cross to assist our colleagues and manage the capacity levels on services to ensure everyone travelling with us, for football or not, gets to their destination safely and enjoys their journey.”
    The FSA remained unsatisfied, replying: “Thanks for the reply – we remain completely unconvinced by the explanation, however.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “If you could feed that back to the senior management at LNER, they’ve got this one wrong.”
    Many Newcastle fans are in agreement with the FSA and have criticised the decision to ban booze.
    One wrote: “A bit pathetic this! Only 3 hours and most fans will have been drinking from the moment they leave Newcastle Friday/Saturday.”
    Another added: “The treatment of all football supporters is appalling, they don’t implement draconian restrictions on any other customers or sports fans. Time for common sense.”
    And a third said: “Like many I feel this is poor judgement, in spite of the explanation. Dry trains aren’t enforced in many other scenarios, e.g. race day attenders in York etc. Picking an #NUFC cup final day to enforce draconian measures is a shame, and wrong in my opinion.” More

  • in

    Watch Alejandro Garnacho try to hide dramatic new haircut with fans convinced it’s inspired by Harry Potter

    MANCHESTER UNITED star Alejandro Garnacho has been spotted trying to hide a striking new hairstyle. And fans are convinced he has taken some inspiration from the Harry Potter series.

    Alejandro Garnacho previously had a ‘Peaky Blinders’ style to his hairCredit: Rex
    But now the 18-year-old has gone super blondeCredit: PA
    Fans are comparing him to Harry Potter character Draco MalfoyCredit: Alamy
    Garnacho, 18, has previously had a look resembling characters from Peaky Blinders.
    But now fans believe the winger is rocking a do like Draco Malfoy, the peroxide blonde villain in the Harry Potter series.
    Fans online rushed to comment on the new hairstyle.
    One said: “No more Peaky Blinders.”
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    A second fan chimed in: “Draco Malfoy,” while a third user shared a gif of Malfoy.
    A third wrote: “That’s not Garnacho. That’s Draco Malfoy.”
    “Our boy Garnacho rockin the Draco Malfoy look 🤣,” commented a fourth.
    A fifth added: “Alejandro Malfoy Garnacho 😭.”
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
    The Argentine prodigy’s new look also drew comparisons to when Lionel Messi went blonde, with one fan saying: “Following the steps of the GOAT 🐐,” alongside a picture of blonde Messi.
    Another fan shared an image of blonde Messi under a post of Garnacho’s new look.
    However, considering Garnacho’s idol is Messi’s GOAT rival Cristiano Ronaldo, it was probably not his exact intention to draw such comparisons.
    As well as fans, the new look whipped up some reaction from team-mates, including Brazilian Casemiro.
    SIlver-haired team-mate Antony exposed Garnacho’s new look to the rest of the squad while in training, with Casemiro showing off his surprise.
    Dyed hair is a theme in the Man Utd dressing room, with Lisandro Martinez also having some blonde in his barnet.
    The fresh look comes ahead of a crunch Europa League second leg against Barcelona, with Erik ten Hag revealing both Harry Maguire and Antony can return.
    Meanwhile, Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are also back following suspension from the thrilling first leg which ended 2-2.
    Ten Hag must also cast his mind to Sunday’s Carabao Cup final for United’s first chance to win silverware in over half a decade. More

  • in

    ‘How f***ing stupid is this?’ – Alan Shearer recalls embarrassment at Newcastle’s open-top bus parades for LOSING finals

    ALAN SHEARER has recalled his embarrassment at Newcastle holding open-top bus parades after losing finals in the 90s. The trophy-desperate Magpies finished 13th in the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons and managed to reached the FA Cup finals on both occasions.
    Despite coming close, Shearer did not win any trophies during his 10 years at beloved NewcastleCredit: Rex
    Losing the cup finals did not stop Newcastle from putting on a well-attended open-top bus paradeCredit: PA
    But 2-0 defeats to Arsenal and then Manchester United followed at Wembley in consecutive years.
    Despite the losses, Newcastle still held open-top bus parades on both occasions.
    While the club confirmed they won’t be continuing the strange traditional if they lose against Manchester United in this week’s Carabao Cup Final, the memories still make Shearer cringe.
    He told Match of the Day’s Top 10 podcast: “We did open-top bus parades after being beaten twice in the cup finals which make you think … how f***ing stupid is this?
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “It just shows how desperate the Newcastle fans are for success because there was hundreds of thousands of fans.”
    Host Gary Lineker said: “Only in Newcastle would they all turn out.”
    Shearer added: “Unbelievable. I mean it’s absolutely outrageous.
    “Hundreds of thousands of fans lining the streets. It’s like, ah, it’s embarrassing [to not have a trophy to show].”
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    Despite his famous goalscoring abilities, Shearer would not win a single trophy during his 10 year spell at his beloved Newcastle.
    The only major trophy he won in his career was the 1994-95 Premier League with Blackburn, although the former striker does have an array of individual awards and records to mark his career.
    Newcastle have confirmed they won’t be having any parades should they fail to beat Manchester United on Sunday.
    But if Eddie Howe and his team win their first major trophy since 1955, officials have planned for a parade through Tyneside on Tuesday. More

  • in

    Loris Karius has chance to resurrect career and write new chapter in Carabao Cup final, claims Newcastle’s Eddie Howe

    NEWCASTLE boss Eddie Howe claims Loris Karius has been handed a dream chance of resurrecting his crumbling career in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.The former Liverpool keeper looks set to start in goal against Manchester United at Wembley after Nick Pope’s red card on Saturday evening.
    Loris Karius is set to start for Newcastle at Wembley on SundayCredit: Getty
    Eddie Howe has backed Loris Karius to impress in the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty
    Karius, 29, suffered a nightmare in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid and has not played a competitive game for two years.
    Toon boss Howe said: “It would be a magnificent chance for him to rewrite the story of his career. There’s been loads of stories through the times in football where these things have happened and there’s been a really positive outcome – or not.
    “As soon as it happened (Pope’s red card) there was a feeling of whether there was another page in Karius’ career to write. Who knows what that chapter will look like?
    “That’s the beauty of football. We never know what is going to happen. This unpredictability is what makes it such an amazing thing to watch.”
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Karius is Newcastle’s No3 keeper but No2 Martin Dubravka misses the final as he is Cup tied, having played on loan at Man Utd this season.
    German keeper Karius, who spent last year frozen out at Liverpool, received an urgent phone call from Howe on Saturday night following Pope’s dismissal in the 2-0 loss at home to Liverpool.
    Karius was in Milan with his girlfriend until Monday but was back training with the squad on Tuesday, along with No4 keeper Mark Gillespie.
    Howe said: “I had a chat with Loris on Saturday night. I felt the need to connect with him and speak with him. He was great, very relaxed. That’s the kind of guy he is – a very cool customer.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “Mark and Loris are fine. They’re part of a goalkeeping unit that is committed to that work every day, since pre-season started, so they’ve done lots of different things within training this season that people wouldn’t have seen. There have been training games and friendlies. They’ve been involved in all of them. They’re match ready.”
    Howe was asked whether he would have done anything differently in hindsight. Knowing his keeper situation, Howe could have started Dubravka against Liverpool on Saturday or maybe not let him go on loan to United.
    The Toon boss said: “I think if you go right back to the start of the season you would do things differently. We don’t have that ability to do so.
    “We’ve ended up in the situation we’re in. As for the Nick Pope sending off, it’s amazing how these things work. That’s how the footballing gods work.”
    Howe also confirmed Newcastle have not appealed against Pope’s red card.
    The former Bournemouth boss said: “We won’t be appealing. We looked at the footage and decided it wouldn’t have had a chance of being successful.
    “We’ve been thrown a challenge here. Nick’s suspended, he’s been a rock for us but I don’t see the group concerned about that. I just see strength.” More

  • in

    Man Utd vs Newcastle: Rashford out for goals as Toon down to third choice keeper – Carabao Cup final TV channel, stream

    NEWCASTLE UNITED are heading to the rebuilt Wembley for the first time as they face Man Utd in the Carabao Cup final.But a string of misfortunes for the Magpies is likely to slightly dampen excitement ahead of a tough clash with the Red Devils.
    Marcus Rashford heads to Wembley in the form of his lifeCredit: EPA
    Newcastle’s third choice goalkeeper Loris Karius is set to be called upon to keep Rashford and co outCredit: Getty
    Despite beating Southampton home and away to qualify for the final, Eddie Howe’s Champions League chasers have gone well off the boil in the Premier League.
    They are now four games without a win and suffered a humbling defeat to Liverpool last weekend.
    But to make matters worse, goalkeeper Nick Pope was sent off in the 2-0 loss to the Reds and will now miss the Wembley final.
    And in a bizarre twist of fate, Newcastle are unable to call on backup goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, as he played for their opponents Man Utd during a loan spell.

    The Slovak was between the sticks for Man Utd’s third round win over Aston Villa and fourth round win over Burnley.
    That means that former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius is likely to get the nod over Mark Gillespie.
    And he will be desperate to perform better than his last appearance for an English club, where two howlers for Liverpool gifted Real Madrid the Champions League.
    But United talisman Marcus Rashford is in a rich vein of form and will be able to scent blood a mile off if Karius is not up to the task.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
    The England ace has already surpassed his best ever goal tally for a season, with three months still to play.
    Therefore the onus at Wembley will be on Newcastle’s normally-reliable backline of Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier to provide Karius with extra protection.
    What time does Man Utd vs Newcastle kick off?

    The Carabao Cup final will be held on Sunday, February 26.
    Kick-off is at 4.30pm.
    It takes place at Wembley Stadium.
    Last time the sides met, Newcastle ground out a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford back in October.

    What TV channel is Man Utd vs Newcastle on and can I live stream it?

    The Carabao Cup final is live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
    Coverage commences at 3pm on Sky Sports Football and 3.30pm on Main Event.
    To stream the game live, head to Sky Go or get a Now TV Day Pass.

    Latest odds
    To win in 90 minutes
    Man Utd 23/20
    Draw 23/10
    Newcastle 23/10
    To win the Carabao Cup
    Man Utd 13/20
    Read More on The Sun
    Newcastle 5/4
    Odds from Betfair correct as of Tuesday, February 21 More

  • in

    Newcastle fans hatch wild plan to try and allow suspended Nick Pope to play in Carabao Cup final

    NEWCASTLE fans have hatched a wild plan that would allow Nick Pope to play in the Carabao Cup final. The goalkeeper was sent off in the Toon’s loss to Liverpool in the Premier League, meaning he is suspended for the clash with Manchester United at Wembley.
    Nick Pope handled the ball outside the area in Newcastle’s last game and received a red cardCredit: Reuters
    Loris Karius is set to play in the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty
    Second choice stopper Martin Dubravka can also not play as he is cup tied having represented the Red Devils earlier on in the competition while on loan at Old Trafford.
    Additionally, Karl Darlow is at Hull until the end of the season, so manager Eddie Howe has to select Loris Karius or Mark Gillespie as the club go for their first major trophy since 1954/55.
    Karius is best known for his horror mistakes while at Liverpool in the Champions League final in 2018 and he has not yet played for Newcastle.
    Meanwhile, Gillespie has only ever featured three times for the club and has not stood between the sticks since 2020.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Therefore, Newcastle fans have come up with a creative and bonkers idea to get Pope to play.
    Some desperate supporters have suggested he gets loaned out to English sixth tier side Blyth Spartans and he serves his suspension there.

    They can still sign players because their league’s transfer window is open until March.
    Blyth Spartans face Telford United on Saturday, which would allow him to miss one match for them, get recalled by Newcastle, and then face Man Utd on Sunday.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    However, having investigated the rules, this plan would not be allowed as no team can deregister and re-register a player in the same week.
    It’s certainly a unique attempt at finding a way around the rules, which shows fans clearly don’t have much hope in Karius, who is expected to play.
    A member of the Newcastle faithful even photoshopped Pope in a disguise and joked how much the forgotten man Karius has changed since his howlers for Liverpool. More

  • in

    Supercomputer predicts Man Utd’s season – so how likely is quadruple after Paul Scholes’ bold claim?

    PAUL SCHOLES reckons Manchester United can win a quadruple this season.But just how likely is the historic feat for Erik ten Hag’s brave battlers?
    Paul Scholes reckons Man Utd can win a quadruple this seasonCredit: Getty
    Erik ten Hag can land his first trophy in the Carabao Cup on SundayCredit: Getty
    The Dutchman has done a grand job since taking charge at Old Trafford last summer, leading his side to third in the table.
    United are just five points behind Arsenal after comfortably beating Leicester 3-0 at the weekend.
    And they are confident of making strong progress in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
    But Ten Hag can win his first trophy on Sunday when United take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    And Scholes feels victory at Wembley could spark an incredible run ending with United lifting all four trophies.
    However, Bettingexpert’s Supercomputer BETSiE has crunched the numbers and tallied the tables.
    And it reckons United have just a 0.04 per cent chance of getting their hands on the quad.
    In the Premier League, Arsenal still have a game in hand on the Red Devils, while rivals Man City occupy second place.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

    So therefore the odds of United winning their first Premier League title since 2013 is, in the eyes of the Supercomputer, extremely unlikely.
    And the Red Devils are predicted to finish in their current position of third.
    United have also been given very low odds of a Carabao, FA Cup and Europa League treble, with the boffin PC tipping them at just 1.56 per cent.
    However, should their sights be lowered to a double, United have an 8.23 per cent shot at winning the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
    On the European front, they are currently level at 2-2 with Barcelona after the first leg of their Europa League play-off.
    Manchester United’s chances are better should they target a domestic cup double of the Carabao and FA Cup with an 11.72 per cent chance.
    The Red Devils host West Ham in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup.
    But considering the last trophy United won was the 2017 Europa League under Jose Mourinho, any success in any competition will provide just cause for celebration amongst fans eager to see the return of Sir Alex Ferguson’s glory years. More

  • in

    Newcastle fan left devastated after returning home to find dog had eaten Carabao Cup final tickets after Liverpool loss

    A NEWCASTLE fan has been left devastated after his dog gobbled up his Carabao Cup Final tickets. Magpies fan Alan Carling was already having a bad day after returning from St James Park where Newcastle suffered their first league defeat since August and had Nick Pope sent off.
    Alan Carling joked that his dog was up for sale after he returned home to see his letters – and cup final tickets – destroyedCredit: NNP
    This was Alan’s desperate attempts to reconstruct the ticketsCredit: NNP
    But things were set to get even worse when he returned home and discovered what his overeager dog Rudy had been getting up to during the 90 minutes.
    The canine had reacted badly to letters being posted into the house and had shredded up all the post.
    Unfortunately for Alan, the letters destroyed included that of the tickets he had managed to secure for Wembley’s showpiece final in the League Cup against Manchester United.
    Alan, from North Tyneside, revealed on Facebook: “This is my dog Rudy. Rudy is a little b*****d of a pup and thinks letters through the post are an invasion of his home.
    READ MORE ON NEWCASTLE
    “After coming back from watching Newcastle lose at home for the first time this season against Liverpool, conceding two goals and having the keeper sent off in the first half.

    “Rudy thought he would give me a laugh by eating the Wembley tickets that were posted whilst I was out.
    “Dog for sale, £5.”
    It is the Toon’s first cup final since 1999 and there has been a mad scramble in the city to try and get into the game.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe revealed he had been getting texts from random numbers demanding tickets to the match after the club overcame Southampton in the semi-finals.
    All hope might not be lost for Alan who may still have time to explain his situation and get new tickets posted to him.
    Most stadiums can also be entered by using digital tickets but it was not clear if Alan had those available to him.
    He has yet to update followers on what has happened since Saturday evening.
    Whether Alan makes it to the game or not, it promises to be far from an easy afternoon for Newcastle with Manchester United in their best form for several years.
    Nick Pope is missing the cup final after this moment outside of his box against Liverpool on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    And as if the Red Devils weren’t formidable enough opponents on their own, Pope’s red card has further complicated the match.
    He is suspended and his back-up, Martin Dubravka, is cup-tied after playing for United in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, leading to a potentially bizarre scenario if Erik ten Hag’s side win the game.
    The situation opens the door for Loris Karius to make an extraordinary Newcastle debut, five years on after last playing in a final for Liverpool which is best remembered for his errors. More