SOUL OF SPORT: Newcastle fans filled London with their optimism

The hundreds of Newcastle United fans who poured off trains at King’s Cross railway station were full of optimism ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley

An endless stream of Geordie fans made their way off trains from the north-east and into the heart of the capital 

There was no doubting the allegiances of the Toon Army who disturbed a sedate Sunday morning at King’s Cross station

Soon the famous London landmarks were in view for those bedecked in black and white on what was a very special weekend

The famous lions of Trafalgar Square provide a decent enough target for these Newcastle fans enjoying a kick-around

Thousands of Newcastle fans had taken over Trafalgar Square on Saturday evening and a few returned the following day

Newcastle fans, some sporting black and white face paint, enjoy a pre-match drink in the hours building up to kick-off

It’s one of the best feelings in football – walking down Wembley Way to watch your team play in a cup final 

Given it was 1999 the last time Newcastle United played at Wembley – that being the old Wembley – in a final, you can forgive these fans for stopping to take a souvenir photograph

Some travelled down from Newcastle by car, with their own message about going to Wembly [sic] 

There’s always the chance to pick up a memento, with this pin badge seller outside Wembley doing a roaring trade 

This Newcastle fan had amassed a fine collection of badges – they included one marking a previous meeting against Manchester United in the 1999 FA Cup final

The black and white-clad Newcastle fans certain seem to be outnumbering those in Man United red in this shot

A kiss for good luck as the Newcastle fans – including this one with a whole head, not only a face, of paint – assemble 

The battle cry as the game gets underway as tens of thousands of Newcastle fans in one half of Wembley roar the team on

Black and white flags flutter to create a stunning choreographed display across the Newcastle end ahead of the start

Any attire was fine, so long as it was black and white – and there’s always an excuse to have a pop at the Mackems 

‘Howay United’ was the refrain from the Geordie masses, who have been riding a wave of optimism this season

The kind of expression that can only mean a refereeing decision has just gone against your team 

Some proud Geordie ink on display with the Tyne Bridge and the Angel of the North depicted on this fan’s forearm

This young fan of Newcastle’s brilliant Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes even sought to copy his facial hair

This fan, with a huge NUFC tattoo across his stomach, wasn’t remotely bothered about chilly temperatures

An image that sums up Newcastle’s afternoon as the few chances they carved out at Wembley were squandered

Optimism turned to deflation as goals by Casemiro and Marcus Rashford put Manchester United in control of the final

Newcastle’s 54-year wait for a major piece of silverware goes on after Manchester United won the final 2-0

It just wasn’t to be Newcastle’s day as their supporters left Wembley and set out on the long journey home