Newcastle United

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Forgive me - I'm not feeling terribly well at the time of writing.

I seem to have come down with a bad case of CUP FEVER. Because after SEVENTY YEARS, Newcastle United, the love of my life, have won a domestic trophy.

We did it and I can still hardly believe it. My voice is gone and I cannot stop smiling (but my head hurts a bit).

The story of this cup win is one that I do not have enough words to tell. It's about Eddie Howe, it's about Bruno Guimaraes, it's about fans and family and community. It is long and romantic and in parts deeply frustrating.

But it has a happy, champagne-drenched ending.

The part of the story I want to tell today is about Dan Burn. Player of the match, opening goalscorer, local lad. England's Dan Burn! What a week he is having. What a season!

We have all said we wanted this group of players to win something because the majority have managed to turn Newcastle's fortunes around under Eddie Howe's leadership. This group just understand fans and give us their all. Nobody typifies that more than Burn.

He is a player who takes his role very seriously. He seems to take nothing for granted. He works so, so hard, even in positions that are not necessarily his strongest and he supports the club.

He thought his England chances were over, but he has played out of his skin this season and Thomas Tuchel has noticed.

When he leapt to head in our first goal on Sunday, I burst into tears. That it was him was pure poetry for me - it is what football is all about.

This player gets to go down in our history as the local lad who helped us break our trophy drought.

I could not be more proud.

I love this club.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

On the latest BBC Radio Newcastle Total Sport podcast, the team have been reliving the Magpies' historic Carabao Cup win against Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday.

Special guest comedian Anth Young asked Newcastle United commentator Matthew Raisbeck just what it felt like to commentate on the moment when the club won their first domestic trophy in 70 years...

Listen to the full episode with host Raul Kohli on BBC Sounds

We often want to be a fly on the wall in dressing rooms at half-time to hear what managers and coaches are telling the players.

From motivational speeches to stern conversations, every manager has their own style.

On Sunday, Eddie Howe opted to give a presentation to his team that showed their drop-off this season in second-half performances.

And it seemed to work because Newcastle came flying out of the traps again with full intensity and did not let up until the final whistle.

"They were so powerful, sharp and dynamic when they did attack with the ball," said former Premier League striker Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "The energy they had was the way I have always viewed an Eddie Howe team."

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

Newcastle defender Dan Burn says he has "had worse weeks" after being called up to the England squad for the first time and winning the Carabao Cup in the space of three days.

The 32-year-old was included in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad on Friday, before going on to score the opening goal at Wembley in the Magpies' 2-1 League Cup final win over Liverpool on Sunday.

"I'd definitely say I've had worse weeks," Burn said in his news conference on Tuesday. "I've waited a long time for this opportunity and I didn't want to spoil it.

"He [Thomas Tuchel] said I've been playing well for a long time. I'm not just coming in to be a cheerleader - I want to play.

"You need to be given those opportunities. Now I want to make the most of it and get on the pitch as much as possible.

"I feel like I'm a leader on and off the pitch. I fit into that role. It is going to be tough coming with all the international players, but that's how I feel I can best help the team. I feel I deserve to be here."

Having played in a number of positions through his career, it is still not clear where he might play under Tuchel.

"I feel comfortable [in different positions in defence]," Burn added. "I feel over my career I have played in all those positions. [Under] Graham Potter at Brighton, I played a hybrid role. I have done the same at Newcastle.

"I want to contribute - I don't care where I play. I will play right wing if it gets me on the pitch."

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown says Dan Burn's rise from non-league Darlington to winning the League Cup "is an unbelievable story about never giving up no matter how late you start your football journey".

Burn, who also received his first England call-up last week from Thomas Tuchel, cemented his place in Newcastle history by scoring the first goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley.

"It is a lesson to keep believing in yourself to know that you will get the opportunity," Brown said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "His attitude is fantastic and I am delighted for him."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on whether Newcastle United's Carabao Cup win has been "tainted by the ownership of the club", after the Newcastle United Fans Against Sportswashing group raised their concerns given the club's Saudi Arabian takeover.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Sty: What a load of rubbish. Newcastle have had the same investment as many other clubs and nobody asks where that money has come from, do they?

Al: I wholeheartedly agree with the sportswashing comment.

Marc: This cup win will not be tainted. A minority non-Newcastle group will not spoil it for the majority. We love Saudi Arabia and Newcastle United.

Rory: Unfortunately everything will be tainted for as long as the Toon are backed by such a brutal regime. I will be celebrating, but it is bittersweet.

Katie: This is being questioned just because someone else is winning. We aren't the only team with questionable ownership. There are other teams owned by Chinese consortiums and other countries with questionable human rights laws. Allow a team that has waited over half a century for success to enjoy it before you start this nonsense!

Stu: As much as I loved watching Newcastle win the Carabao Cup, and something being ticked off the old bucket list, one thing I can't ignore is the Saudi's links to the club and the awful human rights violations. It is probably why I don't buy any of the Newcastle merchandise - I'd be wondering if my money was going towards human rights violations.

Paul: Newcastle have done everything by the book. They have stayed in the guidelines of PSR. How can it be sportswashing when you have the likes of Chelsea spending £1bn on players and Manchester City who are sat on 115 charges for breaking the regulations?

John: Pure and simple, politics needs to be kept out of sport. The only reason this is an issue is because it Newcastle United and not one of the big six.

Image source, Getty Images

Seventy years. That is how long Newcastle United had waited to win another domestic trophy.

And their fans have made up for the seven-decade drought with the way they have celebrated their Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.

There has been jubilation, tears, relief, pride - and most of all just happiness.

But for some - and it does not appear to be a view shared widely amongst Newcastle fans - there is a regret to the win.

And that relates back to the club's £305m Saudi Arabian takeover three years and five months ago.

One of the voices raising concerns is the Newcastle United Fans Against Sportswashing (NUFCFAS) group.

"Newcastle United's victory will also be seen as a victory for the human rights abusing regime and their sportswashing project", the group said in a statement.

"We know that it should be a great day for the city of Newcastle, and many will feel that way, but for us it is unfortunately tainted by the ownership of the club.

"Silence on human rights is complicity in the crimes of the regime which owns our club. This is what sportswashing is all about."

Critics points to Saudi Arabia facing years of criticism over subjects such as:

• Human rights violations

• The repression of women

• The criminalisation of homosexuality

• The restriction of free speech

• The continued use of the death penalty

• The 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

• The imprisonment of activists for online dissent

• The country's involvement in the bloody conflict in Yemen

What do you think Newcastle fans? Do you share these views? Are you bothered by this criticism? Tell us here

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United's chief executive Darren Eales has announced the club will celebrate their Carabao Cup win with the fans on Saturday 29 March, with more details to follow.

Reflecting on the triumphant win at Wembley on BBC Radio Newcastle, Eales said: "It was so wonderful for all of the supporters and the whole occasion was wonderful with the scarves and flags and the way the players played from the first minute.

"They were incredible, but at the end you could see what it meant to all of the supporters and this is why we're in the game and involved in football.

"It is all just so exciting and Eddie Howe is just an amazing manager."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle midfielder Rob Lee says Eddie Howe is a "legend" in the city, like all the players in their trophy-winning side.

Lee told BBC Radio 5 Live after Sunday's Carabao Cup win: "Howe has been magnificent. There are not many English managers around at the moment that have won trophies and lots of people have tried.

"In a short space of time he has saved us from relegation, took us to the Champions League, got us to a final two years ago and then got us to a final again and now he has won a trophy. He'll be an absolute legend in Newcastle as all the players will be now."

On the England manager's job Lee added: "As much as I would have hated him to have left Newcastle, if you're thinking of an English manager to manage England there is nobody else but Eddie."

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It is 6 November 2021 and a 1-1 draw at Brighton leaves Newcastle second bottom of the Premier League and facing the very-real prospect of a return to the Championship.

Weeks earlier, the club had been taken over by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium, who talked up the idea of Champions League football and winning trophies.

Despite the optimism among fans about entering a new era, such thoughts seemed a million miles away.

But watching on in the stands that day against the Seagulls was Eddie Howe, Newcastle's soon-to-be-appointed manager who, in just 18 months, would oversee a return to Europe and has now ended their 70-year-wait for a major trophy after Sunday's 2-1 win against Liverpool at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup.

The peak of Newcastle's transformation during Howe's time at the club was to come on Wednesday, 4 October 2023.

That night St James' Park hosted Champions League football for the first time in more than 20 years and a Paris St-Germain team led by Kylian Mbappe was beaten 4-1.

"This was Newcastle United at their best," BBC Radio Newcastle reporter Matthew Raisbeck said. "It will be talked about forever.

"It showed what they were capable of at that moment but also, hopefully, a glimpse of what can be their reality for years to come."

Ultimately, they struggled to compete in both Europe and the Premier League while also dealing with an injury crisis that saw them without 20 players at some points.

A run of one win in seven games from 7 December until 13 January 2024 even saw some talk of Howe being under pressure but their form improved enough to secure a respectable seventh-place finish.

Inconsistency and injuries were an issue again this season but Newcastle have overcome those to end their long wait for a trophy.

"There is a statue at St James' Park of Bobby Robson," former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given said on Sky Sports after Sunday's final.

"Maybe they will build one of Eddie Howe."

Read more from Gary about Howe's Newcastle

Liverpool have made contact with people close to 25-year-old Newcastle United and Sweden striker Alexander Isak, before a potential summer move. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will receive a £3m bonus if the Magpies qualify for the Champions League next season, after masterminding the team's first major trophy win for 56 years. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to miss out on 18-year-old Malaga forward Antonio Cordero, with Newcastle the overwhelming favourites to sign the Spain Under-19 international. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Liverpool are ahead of Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham in the race to sign 24-year-old Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Pride, passion and and relief.

Relive some of the best moments in our gallery below and keep on scrolling for countless posts from fans, players and pundits on Newcastle's epic day.

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's EFL Cup final victory against Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Yusuf: Fifty-six years and up came Burn and Isak to win them the cup in style against Liverpool. A huge difference between the two sides with Newcastle having double the amount of chances and putting their heart and soul into stopping Liverpool. A day Newcastle fans will never forget.

Anon: I'm 77, I've supported Newcastle from 1955 and the last time they won a cup. I thought I was running short of time but we've done it. That game was absolutely magic!

Alastair: Howe tricked Slot into mirroring Newcastle's long-ball game, cutting out the midfield and gifting the Toon all the second balls, which along with his cunning corners were cutting Liverpool apart.

Graham: Fully deserved, in control all game and a great team defensive display. Well done everyone at the club. The support was immense too.

Robin: Only one team in it. From the off, Newcastle's determination was greater than Liverpool's. Looked sharp whereas Liverpool looked jaded.

Sometimes football can move you to tears at the best and worst of times.

For Newcastle fans - like this father and son embracing at a train station - the best of times are currently playing out.

Take a look at this emotional interview with BBC Radio Newcastle.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle midfielder Lee Clark hopes Dan Burn can cap off an "amazing week" by earning his first England cap when the Three Lions take on Albania on Friday.

"It couldn't have been written better," Clark told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"This week has been phenomenal for him, getting his England call-up at 32. He has been sensational since he came, scoring, man of the match. I couldn't be more proud of him.

"I've obviously got links with him, had him at Birmingham when I was the manager there, signed him on loan and him and his family are superb people. It couldn't happen to a nicer lad so hopefully he can top off an amazing week by winning his first England cap."

When asked about the end of Newcastle's trophy drought, Clark added: "I had my chance [to lift a trophy at Wembley]. We gave it a go and unfortunately for us it didn't happen and that group yesterday thoroughly deserved it. It was brilliant being part of it, being there, being able to celebrate with them. It was just a brilliant feeling, a brilliant atmosphere and too long a wait.

"I think when you play a club like Liverpool who are used to winning things and win things on a regular basis it can be alright that they miss out for a year and we can end that 70-year hoodoo."