Newcastle parade latest: Fans line city's streets to celebrate first domestic trophy in 70 years

That's all for our live coverage of the celebrations after Newcastle United beat Liverpool 2-1 to win the Carabao Cup nearly two weeks ago.

The win secured the team their first domestic trophy in 70 years.

Tens of thousands of fans lined the streets of Newcastle to welcome an open-top bus carrying the players - as well as hardcore fans Ant and Dec.

At a ticketed event at Toon Moor, an estimated 150,000 fans then gathered to witness the team lift the cup.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said today's celebrations had "taken our breath away". 

His team will next face Brentford on 2 April in a Premier League match.

Scroll back below to see all the highlights from today's event.

We have just heard from Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, who has appeared on stage at Town Moor with his Carabao Cup winning team. 

Speaking to TV presenters and Newcastle fans, Ant and Dec, Howe said the team were aware of the importance of the win, but the scenes of celebration today have "taken our breath away".

"Thank you to everyone who has supported us, we really appreciate it," Howe told the crowds. 

Asked if this was just the beginning for the team, he added: "We hope so.

"It is very difficult in football to make any promises, but the promise we can give is that we will give absolutely everything in every moment, in every game, to try and bring long-term success to this club."

By Shingi Mararike, North of England correspondent 

From about 12 noon Newcastle United fans began to gather at Town Moor to celebrate the team's Carabao Cup triumph. 

From the field, which is more than 1,000 acres, you can see St James' Park, sitting in the heart of the city. 

Stood waiting for the party to start was John Poland, a 68-year-old fan who said the club is "in his DNA". 

Poland, who is from the city, says he can remember Newcastle's last trophy win, the 1969 Inter City Fairs Cup. 

For him, the club is an extension of the community. 

We "wrap our arms around you here, we make you feel welcome", he said, gesturing at the gathering sea of people in black and white scarves and shirts. 

As the grass filled up and the parade rolled across the city, the roars ratcheted up us the players appeared on the big screen. 

Fans of all ages understood the magnitude of the moment, including Archie, a nine-year-old who wants to one day play for Newcastle when he grows up. 

"I cried when they won and went upstairs and started playing Newcastle songs on my Alexa," he said. 

As Newcastle's record scorer Alan Shearer appeared on the stage, Andrea, a lifelong fan leaned over the railings to get a closer look. 

"This is everything," she said, "We're a working-class city and this is in the blood."

Newcastle United have just been greeted on stage at Town Moor by tens of thousands of adoring fans. 

Recreating what they did at Wembley Stadium nearly two weeks ago, players and some staff members of the club took turns to lift the Carabao Cup.

The biggest cheer, however, was saved for team manager, Eddie Howe.

 Back to Town Moor now, where the crowd is estimated to have reached 150,000. 

We are yet to see the team come out on stage to lift the Carabao Cup, but crowds have been treated to an appearance by Newcastle legend, Alan Shearer.

Speaking to the crowds, Shearer, who is the team's top goalscorer of all time, said witnessing the team win the Carabao Cup was the "best feeling" he has ever had on or off a football pitch.

"This is what I wanted, this is what I all wanted. I wanted this to happen in my lifetime, and it has happened," he said.

"I have been waiting for this day all my life, and it is incredible to see so many happy people and our city being done so proud."

He said after witnessing the victory he "partied harder than anyone". 

 Although most were overjoyed at Newcastle United's Carabao Cup win, some fans were disappointed. 

The Newcastle United Fans Against Sportswashing (NUFCFAS) group even called the win "a tainted triumph".

Their response stems back to the controversial £305m takeover of the club by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) back in 2021.

The PIF is Saudi's sovereign wealth fund and its governor, Yasir Al Rumayyan, is also chairman at Newcastle United.

The Premier League initially approved the PIF-led takeover, but has since faced calls to investigate the Saudi state and whether the 80% purchase of the club was part of its attempts at sportswashing.

Sportswashing refers to the practice of using investments in sports, events, or teams to improve a nation's public image, often to distract from negative issues like human rights abuses or corruption.

Peter Frankental, Amnesty UK's economic affairs director, said back in 2023 that since the PIF takeover, the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia had "deteriorated markedly" - referring to "scores of executions after unfair trials" and "courts jailing peaceful critics".

Newcastle has previously denied accusations of sportswashing, insisting the takeover was "not the Saudi state, it's PIF". 

The club said the deal was about growing Newcastle.

The open-top bus carrying the Carabao Cup winning team, Newcastle United, through the city centre has just finished.

During the journey from St James' Park to Town Moor, Sky Sports News spoke to team manager Eddie Howe and local player Dan Burn.

If you missed it, here is what the two had to say after their team's historic win:

The open-top bus has now reached its final destination - Town Moor - where tens of thousands more fans are waiting for the Newcastle United team.

Here, the players will take to the stage to lift the Carabao Cup - we expect this will happen around 6.35pm. 

After that, Sela, the sponsors of Newcastle United, have promised fans a "spectacular surprise".

Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope has just spoken to Ant and Dec from the open-top bus.

He said to be a part of today's celebrations is "truly amazing". 

Asked what it felt like when the final whistle was eventually blown at Wembley Arena, securing Newcastle United their win, Pope said there was a "bit of relief".

"I was much happier at 2-0, extra time felt like it was never ending. But to be able to run towards the fans at the final whistle knowing it was in the bag, it was unbelievable."

He added: "It felt so different from two years ago, we had a really good feeling in camp and I thought we were unbelievable on the day."

The open-top bus is continuing to make its way through the heart of Newcastle towards Town Moor, where it will finish. 

Our North of England correspondent Shingi Mararike, who is amongst the crowds, described it as a "tapestry of black and white" - the colours of Newcastle United.

He said: "The route is under a mile, but as you can imagine the bus is going at a pace at which every person gathered in the city, whether they are hanging from windows or standing in a car park, are trying to get a glimpse of."

Once it reaches Town Moor the team will lift the Carabao Cup on stage in front of an estimated 150,000 fans.