Local boy Burn the hero as Newcastle finally deliver a trophy

LONDON : For all the millions of pounds Newcastle United have invested in an array of talent from around the globe since a Saudi Arabia-backed takeover in 2021, it was Dan Burn, born down the road in Blyth, who proved the hero to end decades of hurt on Sunday.

Brazilian captain Bruno Guimaraes was inspirational in the 2-1 League Cup final win over Liverpool, as was compatriot Joelinton who celebrated tackles like a man-possessed.

Italian Sandro Tonali oozed class and Sweden's Alexander Isak scored his 24th goal of a superb season that will afford him cult status alongside the club's former iconic forwards.

But the moment 32-year-old central defender Burn met a corner with a thumping header to put Newcastle in front on the stroke of halftime was the defining moment of a final that delivered Newcastle's first domestic silverware since 1955.

Burn, a Newcastle youth product but whose career needed stops at Darlington, Fulham, Yeovil Town, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Brighton & Hove Albion before returning to the relegation-threatened Magpies in 2022, was described by manager Eddie Howe as colossal on Sunday after a fairytale week.

"I've had worse weeks. I don't want to go to sleep because I feel like I'm dreaming and it's all going to be a lie," Burn, who on Friday was given his first England call-up and on Sunday scored his first goal of the season, said.

"I don't get many (goals) so I saved it for a big occasion."

There will not be much time to celebrate though, Burn said. "I'll be first there tomorrow at 8 o'clock," he added of joining up with new England manager Thomas Tuchel's camp.

Howe was brought in soon after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund led a takeover of the club and, while the talk was of the trophies