Newcastle United fans were left celebrating another Carabao Cup victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, while Bruno Guimaraes gave them something to laugh about, too.
It was yet another Carabao Cup victory for Newcastle United, who haven’t lost in the competition since their final defeat to Manchester United in 2023.
Eddie Howe has only lost two games in the tournament since taking charge of Newcastle, who have gone a step closer to retaining a trophy for the first time since 1952.
Fabian Schar’s controversial opener, which drew complaints from Thomas Frank, got the ball rolling in a dominant performance.
Nick Woltemade nabbed a casually excellent header of his own just after the break to ensure Newcastle cruised past Tottenham and set up a quarter-final with Fulham.
There was also a subtle moment of hilarity from Bruno Guimaraes that was spotted by some supporters after the referee got in the way of a Spurs star.
Bruno Guimaraes gives a hilarious reaction to referee intervention vs Spurs
It looked like it was going to be a rare night off for Captain Fantastic Guimaraes, but Howe brought him on with less than 10 minutes remaining to help see the game out.
Though Spurs were well and truly beaten, there was still a bit of life left in them as they peppered the impressive Aaron Ramsdale’s goal and tried to go forward.
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Substitute Randal Kolo Muani was one player working to turn things around and the French striker went on a mazy run up through the middle of the park, only for referee Chris Kavanagh to get in the way.
It looked as if Muani was about to pull the trigger when the ball hit Kavanagh’s heel as he desperately tried to avoid the ball, leaving the forward understandably frustrated.
Guimaraes, however, was delighted with the expertly timed defensive intervention and applauded Kavanagh for his contribution with a beaming smile across his face, something that cracked up supporters.
“So the ref unintentionally blocked Kolo Muani’s enthusiastic drive towards Newcastle goal area, and it’s Guimaraes applauding and laughing,” @iam_erny posted on X, formerly Twitter.
@Elnenyesta posted, along with several cry laughing emojis: Bruno Guimaraes clapping for the ref stopping the ball.”
Eddie Howe displays new-found squad depth in Tottenham win
One of Newcastle’s biggest complaints last season was that, beyond the quality starting XI, there was a lack of real quality in depth in the squad. That’s no longer the case.
Howe made a massive eight changes for the visit of Spurs, yet his starting XI was still a very strong one that would not have raised any eyebrows outside of the Toon if it were named for a Premier League match.
One England goalkeeper replaced another with Ramsdale coming in for Nick Pope, £210m worth of players came in in the shapes of Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Elanga, and Joe Willock and veterans like Schar and Emil Krafth showed they are still capable when called upon.
With Yoane Wissa, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall still to come back as well, Newcastle suddenly have a very good squad that can comfortably win games and play at the same rhythm despite multiple changes.
That can only serve them well as they look to improve in the league and Europe this season.