Dan Burn cemented himself as a Newcastle United legend on Sunday.
Burn, who was released by Newcastle United as youngster, completed what has been quite the journey to get back there by helping the club end a 70-year long domestic trophy drought.
The defender scored the opening goal as Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 to win the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, lifting a first piece of major domestic silverware for the first time since 1955.
It has certainly a memorable week in the 32-year-old’s life. Burn was called up to the England squad for the first time two days before scoring the opening goal at Wembley – sending his team on their way to Carabao Cup success.
Liverpool simply could not deal with the towering centre-back. Such was the level of detail Eddie Howe went into in his preparation for the game, Burn did not get involved in a tussle with Reds defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate when Newcastle had a corner.
Instead, he dropped off and went up against perhaps less physically imposing players. Indeed, he beat Alexis Mac Allister time and time again, which is where the opening goal came from.
After the game, Burn made some interesting comments.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Dan Burn names the Liverpool player he targeted in Carabao Cup final
Burn was naturally asked about what was a fine header by Sky Sports after the game.
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, he revealed that he targeted Mac Allister when noticing the Argentine wasn’t looking at the ball as the corner was delivered.
Set-pieces can always prove the difference and Sunday was no different. It was as well-worked as they come.
“I knew Alexis [Mac Allister] wasn’t looking at the ball and I’d be able to get a jump on him. I don’t get many so I saved it for a big occasion,” he said.
“I feel sometimes I get around bodies and it’s tough to get free.
“I feel strange, I feel numb at the minute.”
"I don't really want to go to sleep, I feel like I'm dreaming"
Dan Burn reacts to Newcastle's Carabao Cup win… and is gate-crashed by his skipper pic.twitter.com/m4MTiAnUfO
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 16, 2025
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Jason Tindall had a big role in Dan Burn’s Carabao Cup final goal
Newcastle assistant manager Jason Tindall could well have had a part to play in the goal.
Though Howe will obviously take the credit for the result, Tindall is Newcastle’s set-piece coach.
Whoever worked on the plan deserves praise. Burn was a constant menace throughout and Liverpool just simply did not know how to deal with him.
All of the players on Sunday made themselves Newcastle United legends. Burn has a special place within that.
It’s hard to think of a better signing the club could have made.