Newcastle: What a night. what a performance what a team.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United continued to make history at St James’ Park, this time breaking Carabao Cup hoodoo by reaching their first semi-final of the competition since the 1970s.
Goals from home hero Dan Byrne and adopted Geordie Joelinton saw the Magpies overcome Leicester City and into the last four of the competition, just three games from an elusive first trophy of the PIF-financed era.
The draw for the last four, which will be a two-legged affair later this month, will be made on Wednesday, with the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City potentially lying in wait for the high-flying Magpies.
“Very much so. I’m delighted to have achieved it,” Howe said of taking United to their first League Cup semi-final in 46 years.
“That’s what we wanted pre-game, obviously, we were determined to try and get into the semi-finals. The performance level I thought was great tonight. The players played well from start to finish and created a lot of chances today. Their goalkeeper played very well to keep us out for a while but did a great job.
He said, ‘It is one thing to reach the semi-finals but you want to reach the final and feel it. We know that we have a great test ahead of us, no matter who we meet. But we are very happy to be there.”
team selection spells
After having trouble with his team selection in the FA Cup at Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, Howe went with a tried and tested team at home, picking the same team that had made their Premier League debut last time out at Arsenal.
And like that case, it was a tight contest – but who could expect anything less from a cup quarter-final? Especially when the Magpies have lost every single tie they have played at this stage of the competition since making their only final in 1976.
On Boxing Day the Magpies flew out of the block and bombed the Foxes within the first half minute, and they could have easily done the same on a special evening on Tyneside.
However, as has been the case in recent weeks at least, United’s finishing in the first half disappeared.
Newcastle’s most important player in this campaign has been Miguel Almiron, his nine goals propelled the Magpies into the top four of the Premier League – and he was instrumental in taking control of the match.
His ball to Joe Willock, then a cross, saw Sean Longstaff blazing over the bar with the goal at his mercy, with just over two minutes on the clock. The Paraguayan teed up Bruno Guimarães who was useless with a shot from 25 yards.
With the crowd waving thousands of scarves and flags over their heads, the players responded with their own performances. The chances came on fire as Bruno fired wide again when well placed, Longstaff drew a save from the impressive Danny Ward and Callum Wilson saw a goal-bound shot deflected wide.
It took half an hour for Fox to show signs of life and to catch up with United. However he fended off several Newcastle advances and produced some craft of his own before the break.
A ball was easily deflected for Mark Albrighton on the United left and his first-time ball in a Patson raid caused alarm among a usually stout Newcastle defence, but the Zambian’s cutback was poorly executed with Harvey Barnes waiting given. Kieran Trippier, as he often does, sensed danger.
After the break it bounced and tucked again between the two sides, although the home side showed more intent.
The impressive Joelinton struck the foot of a post with a low drive and fellow goalscorer Byrne was left to despair when Trippier lofted the free-kick over his huge frame.
Around the hour, however, the floodgates opened – and it was a monumental moment for the birth and breeding of Geordie Byrne. A cushioned pass by Joelinton found Fox high in field to the left, and a touch to his left, a splash of some trademark strength and speed, opened him up a yard for a shot, and with a swipe of his right he fired into Ward’s net. Got the bottom corner of.
Lift off at St James’s.
The goal rekindled the visitors to life and Brendan Rodgers decided to throw the kitchen sink at the Magpies with Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho strengthening their attacking lines.
But it was all open space and Joelinton was in no mood to take the opportunity as he struck home with his left foot for 2-0.
‘We’re going to Wembley’
Chants of “we’re going to Wembley” could be heard from Hadrian’s Wall to North Yorkshire as the city erupted in mass joy.
Vardy had a few late chances to reduce the arrears but United clocked in and booked their place in the hat.
“We knew this game was very important because we were knocked out of the FA Cup and we had to react,” said captain Trippier.
“I think we did that from the first whistle. Bruno says we can take a little rest but I don’t think so. We have a big game coming up soon. From my first game against Cambridge it’s It was sold out and the supporters here are fantastic.
“They follow us in numbers, they sell out all the time and it’s been a long time since the success of this club and all these players, we want to make them proud and give everything on the pitch, which we’ve done for this season. May this continue for a long time. It will mean everything (to win the silverware). We just need to believe as a team, focus on the next game and make it a Gotta take it as a game in time. The Premier League is relentless and there are some fantastic teams in this competition. We’re just focussing on the next game.”