by Welcome to the Soul of Sport series. Every week, Sportsmail’s photographers will feature the biggest sporting events you’ve never seen before.
Instead of focusing only on the action, they will try to capture what goes on behind the scenes to offer a completely different perspective.
In our first photo story, Andy Hooper followed the Toon Army team from Newcastle United before, during and after the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.
He captured the eerie optimism ahead of Sunday’s game as thousands of fans poured from trains from the North East into the streets of the capital.
We observe a full range of emotions for 90 minutes under the Wembley arch and gloomy reflections.
This is raw emotion. It’s everything we love and hate about being fans. This is the soul of the sport.
Hundreds of Newcastle United fans who poured from 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 has made its way from the trains of the North East to the heart of the capital
There was no doubt about the loyalty of the Toon army that disturbed a quiet Sunday morning at King’s Cross station
It wasn’t long before London’s famous landmarks became visible to those dressed in black and white on this special weekend
The famous lions of Trafalgar Square make a decent enough destination for those Newcastle fans who like to party
Thousands of Newcastle fans took over Trafalgar Square on Saturday night and several returned the next day
Newcastle fans, some athletes wearing black and white face paint, enjoy a pre-match drink in the hours leading up to kick-off
It’s one of the greatest feelings in football – walking around Wembley Way and watching your team play in the cup final
Considering 1999 was the last time Newcastle United played Wembley – it was old Wembley – in a final, you can forgive these fans for stopping to take a souvenir photo
Some came from Newcastle by car, with their own message of going to Wembly (sic!)
There’s always a chance to grab a souvenir, and this pin seller outside Wembley does great business
This Newcastle fan has amassed a considerable collection of badges – including one from his previous encounter with Manchester United in the 1999 FA Cup Final
The black and white Newcastle fans certainly seem to outnumber those in red Man United in this shot
Kiss for good luck as Newcastle fans – including the one with a whole head, not just a face, made of paint – gather
The battle cry as the game kicks off as tens of thousands of Newcastle fans in one half of Wembley roar the team
Black and white flags flutter creating a stunning choreographed display at the end of Newcastle before the start
Any outfit was fine as long as it was black and white – and there’s always an excuse to look at Mackems
“Howway United” was the refrain of the Geordie masses, who are experiencing a wave of optimism this season
This kind of expression, which can only mean a referee’s decision, has just gone against your team
Proud Geordie ink on display with 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 stubble
This fan, with a huge NUFC tattoo on his stomach, didn’t care about the low temperatures
A picture that sums up Newcastle’s afternoon as the few chances they created 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 a major trophy continues after Manchester United win the final 2-0
It just wasn’t going to be Newcastle’s day as their fans left Wembley for the long journey home
