Welcome to the Soul of Sport series. Every week, Sportsmail photographers will showcase the biggest sporting events like you’ve never seen them before.
Rather than just focusing on the action, they seek to capture what happens behind the scenes to offer a very different perspective.
In our first photo shoot, Andy Hooper followed Newcastle United’s Toon Army before, during and after their 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 poured from northeastern trains into the streets of the capital.
We see the full range of emotions during the 90 minutes under Wembley Arch and somber reflections afterwards.
This is raw emotion. That’s everything we love and hate about being a fan. This is the soul of the sport.
The hundreds of Newcastle United fans who stepped off trains at King’s Cross railway station were full of optimism ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley
A never-ending stream of Geordie fans poured off trains from the north-east and into the heart of the capital.
There was no doubting the loyalty of the Toon Army that disturbed a calm Sunday morning at King’s Cross Station.
Soon London’s famous landmarks were on view for those decked out in black and white on what was to be a very special weekend.
The famous lions of Trafalgar Square provide a decent target for these Newcastle supporters to enjoy.
Thousands of Newcastle fans poured into Trafalgar Square on Saturday night and some returned the following day.
Newcastle fans, some in black and white face paint, enjoy a pre-match drink in the hours leading up to kick-off
It’s one of the best football sensations – 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 – the former being Wembley – in a final, you can forgive these fans for stopping to take a souvenir photo
Some traveled from Newcastle by car, with their own message about going to Wembly (sic)
There’s always a chance to grab a souvenir, with this badge seller outside of Wembley doing a roaring trade.
This Newcastle fan has amassed a fine collection of badges – including one scoring a previous meeting against Manchester United in the 1999 FA Cup Final
Newcastle fans dressed in black and white appear to be outnumbering those of red Man United in this photo
A good-luck kiss as the Newcastle fans – including this one with his full head, not just his face painted – gather
The rallying cry as the game begins, with tens of thousands of Newcastle fans in a Wembley half roaring for the team
Black and white flags fly to create a stunning choreographed display in Newcastle before kickoff
Any outfit was fine as long as it was black and white – and there’s always an excuse to grab a soda at Mackems
‘Howay United’ was the refrain of the Geordie masses, who are on a wave of optimism this season
The kind of expression that can only mean a refereeing decision is over against your team
Some proud Geordie inks 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 Guimarães even tried to copy his facial hair
This fan, with a huge NUFC tattoo on his stomach, wasn’t bothered at all by frigid 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 key piece continues after Manchester United won the final 2-0
It was not to be Newcastle’s day as their fans left Wembley and set out on the long journey home.