Burn in dreamland after Newcastle's Carabao Cup win
Dan Burn felt like he was dreaming after scoring the opening goal for Newcastle United in its 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool.
The defender scored on the stroke of half-time to put Newcastle on the front foot, with Alexander Isak getting his side's second just after the break to clinch Newcastle's first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Though Federico Chiesa set up a nervy finish by pulling one back in stoppage time, it did not stop Newcastle from lifting its first major piece of domestic silverware since the 1955 FA Cup.
Burn, who received his first England call-up last week, became just the second Newcastle player to score in an Carabao Cup final, after Alan Gowling against Manchester City in 1976.
As a boyhood Newcastle fan, Burn was in dreamland after ending the club's trophy drought.
"Not bad. I've had worse weeks! I feel like I am dreaming," he said. "I knew Alexis [Mac Allister] wasn't looking so I could get a jump on him. As soon as I headed it, I knew it was in. I don't get many, so at least I saved it for a big occasion!
"I feel strange. It is hard to put into words."
Isak made his 100th Newcastle appearance in the showpiece at Wembley and scored his 58th goal for the club in all competitions.
Among all Premier League players, only Erling Haaland (113) and Mohamed Salah (84) have netted more since Isak's Magpies debut in August 2022.
Isak also had a goal ruled out for offside mere minutes before he netted Newcastle's second goal, but the Swede hailed Burn for his impressive performance at both ends of the pitch.
"It was his [Dan Burn's] game. He is brilliant," Isak said. "If he can score goals, then great, but it's the way he defends. That sets the foundation for us."
Burn made a game-high 11 clearances and won seven of his nine duels.
Reflecting on his goal, Isak said: "This game is about moments, and it's not about being really good as a striker, but it's about being there to score when needed.
"The first half was a bit frustrating for me, but I kept telling myself my moment would come."
Newcastle's last trip to Wembley saw it suffer a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the 2022-2023 Carabao Cup final, but after righting its wrongs from that match, Isak is excited about what the Magpies can do next.
"This is really just the start. We will see more from the fans and what it means for the people when we get back to Newcastle," he said.
"We are all aware of how long it's been for the fans without a trophy.
"When you've been without a trophy for so long, it can be in the back of your head, but hopefully, we have won this, it is bright days in front of us."
