Newcastle 4-1 PSG: 'I'm so proud to be from Newcastle,' says Sean Longstaff after historic win - BBC Sport

Newcastle 4-1 PSG: 'I'm so proud to be from Newcastle,' says Sean Longstaff after historic win

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Dan Burn (centre-right) celebrates with Fabian Schar and Anthony GordonImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Dan Burn's (right) towering header made it 2-0 on a night that Newcastle stunned PSG 4-1

"If they've ever got an excuse not to go in [to work], it's this."

That was the response of Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff when he was asked about the prospect of Geordies attending work on Thursday, after Wednesday night's 4-1 Champions League win over PSG prompted a party atmosphere on Tyneside.

This was a night that Newcastle supporters had been waiting for, along with Newcastle-born goalscorers Longstaff and Dan Burn.

"It's some night," Longstaff, who is a product of the club's academy system, told TNT Sports.

"I think we knew it was going to be special with the atmosphere but for me and Burny to score on a night like tonight is pretty surreal.

"I am lost for words really.

"I think, to be honest, there are some of us that thought three years ago we were probably out of the door and it wasn't a great place to be.

"I am so proud to be from Newcastle and I am over the moon."

Before Wednesday's match, Newcastle's last Champions League game at St James' Park was in 2003. Longstaff was only five years old.

He grew up watching Bobby Robson's side, which featured the likes of Alan Shearer and Shay Given - both of whom watched on at the stadium as he smashed the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it 3-0 early in the second half.

The other Geordie on the scoresheet was Burn, whose towering first-half header brought his story full circle, having been released by Newcastle at 11 years of age.

"It has not sunk in," the 31-year-old told TNT Sports. "I am a bit speechless.

"I was released by Fulham at 25 years old. To come back and play Champions League football, I am very proud."

"It is like dream I am waiting for someone to wake me up, I am waiting for the bubble to pop."

For two local lads to get on the scoresheet against one of Europe's top sides was a special moment for the fans inside St James' Park, and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was quick to praise the supporters for the imposing atmosphere they created.

"In every team talk I mention the crowd because they are so powerful," he told CBS Sports.

"If we don't use the crowd and [instead] play a style of football where they are not going to be involved in the game we are missing a trick.

"We try and use their energy to help the players implement what we want.

"I am delighted for the club and the supporters what they gave us tonight was incredible."

Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, BBC Sport