‘He didn’t train like that!’ – Eddie Howe pokes fun of ‘colossus’ Dan Burn after local lad’s heroics in Carabao Cup win
EDDIE HOWE poked fun at “colossus” Dan Burn after the Newcastle ace inspired his side to Carabao Cup victory.
Local lad Burn, 32, scored the first goal in Toon’s 2-1 win over Liverpool in Sunday’s Wembley final.
The Blyth man was also an unstoppable force in defence as he kept the Premier League leaders at bay.
And Burn’s week is set to get even better after receiving his first-ever England call-up from new boss Thomas Tuchel.
However, Newcastle gaffer Howe made a hilarious joke about Burn’s performance in London today.
The trophy winner cheekily suggested that his centre-back’s goal was indeed a rare piece of art — because Burn is yet to show any scoring capability in training!
Howe declared: “We were well aware of the history and we wanted to do the club proud. We wanted to score, we wanted to perform and we wanted to win.
“We are breaking new ground, I thought we were magnificent today.
“We worked consistently for two weeks on set plays just for this game and if you had seen us in practice you would have said we haad no chance.
“We couldn’t believe Dan Burn scored – he didn’t train like that! He was a colossus for us.”
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Howe continued: “I am very very emotional and been all day which is unlike me.
“We knew what was at stake today for all of our fans, we wanted to do them proud and win the trophy.
“I am so, so pleased with the result and the performance – we deserved to win today.
“It was tough when Liverpool scored. I was thinking about extra time, we always make it difficult for ourselves it was never going to be 2-0.”
Burn himself was over the moon with his performance, declaring: “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.”
On his goal, Burn noted: “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.
“I feel sometimes I get around bodies and it’s tough to get free. I feel strange, I feel numb at the minute.”
Burn is brilliant. If he can score goals then great but it’s the way he defends
Alexander Isak
Burn also revealed when he plans on linking up with England, adding: “Tomorrow morning. I’ll be first there tomorrow at 8 o’clock.”
Meanwhile, fellow scorer Alexander Isak hailed Burn’s contribution and reflected on his own piece of history.
The Swede said: “It was his [Dan Burn’s] game. He is brilliant. If he can score goals then great but it’s the way he defends. That sets the foundation for us.
“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. We are all aware of how long it’s been for the fans without a trophy.
“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.
“When you’ve been without a trophy for so long it can be in the back of your head but no hopefully we have won this it is bright days in front of us.”