Newcastle United went into the hat for the quarter-finals after a fantastic victory over Spurs
Newcastle United rattled Tottenham Hotspur's cage once again at St James' Park to stay on the road to Wembley.
On a night when Newcastle legend Andy Cole branded Spurs players "schoolboys" for switching off during a decisive corner kick, from which Fabian Schar scored the opener, Xavi Simons raced after the officials at half-time and screamed: "Wake up".
Cole had been left amazed that Spurs lost concentration as Djed Spence tied his lace then struggled to get back into position quickly enough. But cup holders Newcastle were alive and alert as they emerged deserved winners.
The Magpies went into the last 16 clash with memories of last season's Carabao Cup triumph still fresh and proudly displayed the trophy in the reception of the Milburn Stand before the game. Howe made eight changes to the team that beat Fulham at the weekend, with goal hero Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, and England star Anthony Gordon all starting the night on the bench.
OPINION
Newcastle started brightly enough and had a couple of glimpses of goal in the first 10 minutes when Malick Thiaw's header was blocked before Jacob Ramsey's run and shot alerted Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky at the Leazes End. A big chance fell the way of Harvey Barnes with 12 minutes on the clock as Nick Woltemade rolled a pass to the left of the box but the ex-Leicester star slashed it wide.
Five minutes later, Sandro Tonali got free down the right but his effort took a deflection before Spurs cleared the Italian's corner. But on 24 minutes, Tonali's corner did hit the jackpot as he hoisted the ball into the centre of the box and Fabian Schar rose above two defenders to send it crashing past the keeper.
In the aftermath of the opener, Thomas Frank protested furiously to fourth official Dean Whitestone with a suggestion that Djed Spence was not ready for the corner to be taken as he tied his lace in the corner. But the goal stood, and after Schar kept his eyes perfectly on the ball, Kinsky did not close to the ball as it nestled in the bottom of the net.
Aaron Ramsdale - standing in for rested Nick Pope - had his hands warmed for the first time on 39 minutes as Joao Palhinha burst forward but the ex-Arsenal keeper simply took the sting out of the effort for a routine save. Newcastle though should have doubled their lead five minutes before half-time as Tonali delicately lifted the ball in for Thiaw who helped it into the path of Barnes who saw his scissor kick clip the bar.
Spurs were furious with the officials as the teams went off for the interval with Xavi Simons yelling "wake up" at Whitestone as he headed down the tunnel. The Magpies created an opening two minutes into the second half when Barnes clipped in a cross for Joe Willock, who headed across the face of the goal with Woltemade unable to get on the end of it at the back post.
But moments later, Newcastle went 2-0 up after Joe Willock's cross found Woltemade just in front of the keeper and he calmly guided home a header at the Gallowgate End. But moments later, Newcastle went 2-0 up after Joe Willock's cross found Woltemade just in front of the keeper, and he calmly guided home a header at the Gallowgate End.
Six minutes later Willock sent one just over the top as Newcastle tried to put the game to bed. Although, Newcastle were thankful to Ramsdale on the hour as he saved from Pape Sarr with the visitors looking like they'd hauled one back.
Ramsdale made another fine stop to deny Richarlison low down as Spurs fought to get back into it. But it would all be in vain for the visitors as their Carabao Cup interest ended on Tyneside.
For Newcastle they are now just two stops from Wembley again. Can they do it again?
The dream remains alive and kicking.
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