Newcastle United have set a new club record in the Champions League after securing a famous 4-1 home victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
It was a dream night for the Magpies who welcomed Champions League football back to St James' Park for the first time in two decades, and the Toon Army had plenty to smile about after watching their side ease to victory over a disappointing PSG outfit.
St James' Park erupted when Miguel Almiron opened the scoring with a sweet left-footed strike into the far corner, before Geordie defender Dan Burn thumped a towering header over the line despite Gianluigi Donnarumma's best efforts to keep it out and a lengthy VAR review.
Another local lad got in on the action just five minutes after the interval when Sean Longstaff drilled a low shot from a tight angle under Donnarumma's outstretched arm, with the home supporters left stunned at going three goals ahead against the French champions.
Lucas Hernandez pulled one back for PSG with a header just before the hour mark, and Newcastle had to ride a little storm as the visitors pushed for another, with Ousmane Dembele the most threatening attacker for Luis Enrique's side.
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However, Eddie Howe's side capped their memorable night in style, with a brilliant long-range strike from Fabian Schar in stoppage time securing Newcastle's biggest-ever Champions League win, surpassing the 3-1 success over Bayer Leverkusen back in February 2003.
Newcastle have also condemned PSG to their heaviest Champions League group-stage defeat since a 3-0 loss to Chelsea back in September 2004.
Local heroes Burn was left in disbelief after the match, telling TNT Sports: "Crazy. It hasn't really sunk in, I'm a bit speechless. We said we wanted to entertain the crowd and I knew when we'd be at home it would be electric. It was amazing to score.
"It's like a dream, it's like I'm waiting for someone to waken me up. Ever since I came here, it's seemed to go on an upward trajectory and I keep waiting for the bubble to pop – but we deserve this."
The Blyth-born defender, added: "I just try to survive at that apprentice level and you try to work your way up. I was released by Fulham at 25 years old; to come back and play Champions League football – I am very proud.
"I can't believe it obviously. The home games are the ones we can go and attack and Dortmund is next, I cannot believe I am saying Dortmund is next."
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Longstaff also expressed his pride to represent Newcastle on a "special" night in the Champions League, adding: "It's some night. We knew as a group it was going to be special. For me and Burny to score is unreal.
"There's a few here who probably thought three years ago we were out the door. I'm so proud to be from Newcastle, I'm over the moon. My family will be proud and probably a bit drunk!
"This is the elite of the elite. [PSG] have some of the best players in the world. We wanted to show how good we are. We have stuff to improve on but tonight we will just celebrate the win. If anyone in Newcastle ever had an excuse not to go in [to work] it's this!"
Newcastle have climbed to the top of Group F – viewed by many as the group of death – after picking up four points from their first two games, one point ahead of PSG in second, two clear of AC Milan in third and three ahead of Borussia Dortmund at the bottom.
Howe's side return to Premier League action on Sunday when they travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United in their final fixture before the international break.
Oliver Thomas
