Welcome to the Soul of Sport series. Each week, Sportsmail photographers will cover the biggest sporting events as you’ve never seen them before.
Rather than just focusing on the action, they will seek to capture what goes on behind the scenes to provide a very different perspective.
In our first photo essay, Andy Hooper followed Newcastle United’s Toon Army before, during and after the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.
He captured the heady optimism ahead of Sunday’s game as thousands of fans spilled off the trains from the North East and onto the then streets of the capital.
We see the full range of emotions during the 90 minutes under the Wembley Arch and dark reflections afterwards.
This is raw emotion. This is what we love and hate about being fans. This is the soul of sport.
The hundreds of Newcastle United fans who poured off the trains at King’s Cross railway station were brimming with optimism ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley.
An endless stream of Geordie fans came off the trains from the North East and into the heart of the capital
There was no doubting the submissions of the Toon Army who disturbed a quiet Sunday morning at King’s Cross Station
London’s famous landmarks were soon visible for those decked out in black and white on a very special weekend
The famous lions of Trafalgar Square are a decent enough target for those Newcastle fans enjoying a kick
Thousands of Newcastle fans had taken over Trafalgar Square on Saturday night and few returned the next day
Newcastle fans, some sporting black and white paint, enjoy a pre-match drink at 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 that 1999 was the last time Newcastle United played at Wembley – which is the old Wembley – in a final, you can forgive those fans for stopping to take a souvenir photo
![Some traveled from Newcastle by car, with their own message to go to Wembley [sic]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/27/00/68109847-11796475-image-a-55_1677457445432.jpg)
Some traveled from Newcastle by car, with their own message to go to Wembley [sic]
There’s always a chance to pick up a souvenir, with this pin badge seller outside Wembley doing a roaring trade
This Newcastle fan had amassed a fine collection of badges – including one marking a previous meeting against Manchester United in the 1999 FA Cup final
Black and white Newcastle fans appear to outnumber Manchester United fans in this shot
A kiss for good luck as Newcastle fans – including one with a full head, not just a face, of paint – gather
The battle cry as the match kicks off as tens of thousands of Newcastle fans in one half of Wembley roar the team on
Black and white flags wave to create a stunning choreographed display at the Newcastle end before kick-off
Any outfit was fine, as long as it was black and white – and there’s always an excuse to pop into Mackems
‘Howay United’ was the refrain from the Geordie masses, leading to a wave of optimism this season
The kind of expression that can only mean a refereeing decision just went against your team
Some proud Geordie ink is 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 tried to copy his facial hair
This fan, with a huge NUFC tattoo on his stomach, wasn’t remotely bothered by the chilly temperatures
A picture that sums up Newcastle’s afternoon as their few chances at Wembley were squandered
Optimism turned to deflation as goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford put Manchester United in control of the final
Newcastle’s 54-year wait for major silverware continues after Manchester United beat Manchester United 2-0 in the final
It just wasn’t Newcastle’s day as their supporters left Wembley for the long journey home