Opinion
**Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Wednesday 18 December 7.45pm**
Instant fan / writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.
**Billy Miller:**
_‘Midfield maestro indeed. Splendid performance from Tonali._
_A brace of goals and every blade of grass covered._
_We’ve scored 10 goals in our last three home games, as we start to find a bit of form and much needed goal threat._
_We were desperate for more players to contribute goals and Bruno, Murphy and Tonali have all got their first of the season in the last pair of games._
_Now we just need to take these levels of performance on the road.’_
**Nat Seaton:**
_‘Yessss!!_
_Thank you Sandro and the lads for getting us to another semi final, can’t wait!_
_Totally controlled the game tonight, pity about the goal at the end but if our finishing had been better we would have been even further out of sight than we were._
_We’re definitely heading in the right direction with our performances of late. Bring on Ipswich.’_
**Mark Jankowski:**
_‘In truth, it was a largely scrappy affair at St James’ Park._
_Brentford looked to spoil the game at every opportunity but never really offered a credible threat until a late consolation goal._
_Newcastle looked like we could score whenever we turned up the pace._
_Sandro Tonali oozed class all game long and his quality was evident in both his goals._
_Fingers crossed for the semi final draw now!’_
**Greg McPeake:**
_‘Listened to Sham 69 before kick off to get the adrenaline pumping, as I thought the game might be tight and Brentford would be at it._
_No worries._
_Great performance by us, should have had more than three, though hitting the woodwork twice._
_Next round is what matters now.’_
**The Armchair Fan:**
_‘TWO-Nali!_
_Brilliant display from our Italian maestro tonight and a great team performance!_
_Fully deserved the win and a place in the Semi-Final. Dreaming of Wembley glory now!’_
**Bazoox:**
**David Punton:**
_‘Expected a hard game but we bossed it. Easy win._
_A masterful showing in midfield from Tonali in an all action display, capped with two brilliant goals._
_Fab adding a third to seal it. A thoroughly professional performance to make the semi finals._
_We’re dreaming again.’_
**GToon:**
_‘A nice reply for the 4-2._
_The commentary and coverage was both biased and appalling in equal measure, but despite that, it made for very comfortable viewing._
_Should have scored 5 or 6 tbh._
_The lads seemed up for it and Tonali was class._
_Dubravka was excellent in goal._
_The only concern for me was Schar, who despite scoring seemed well off the pace and seemed to lose every 50/50 in the air too. Hope he isn’t injured._
_Notice how with the absence of VAR, Brentford seemed to think they could do what they wanted.’_
**Matt Busby said to…:**
_‘In many respects, that was an even more complete performance than the win against Leicester, despite the blemish of conceding late on._
_This is truly a golden era for Newcastle United in the League Cup after years of misery and second round exits._
_We just need to go on and win the thing, but looking at who’s left in the last four, we’re going to have to do it the hard way._
_With two goals and because he was absolutely everywhere, Sandro Tonali was my MOTM, but everyone in a black and white shirt deserves huge credit this evening._
_Tell me ma!’_
**Tony Mallabar:**
_‘Sandro ole ole ole, midfield maestro from low fellano (well probably)._
_Into the sem’s vs arsenal, luckypool, or spurs/ man utd._
_Well if we want to start winning stuff we now have to start off with a winning mentality, instead of this plucky/good losers us geordie mentality._
_So roll on luckypool in the semis.’_
**Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Wednesday 18 December 7.45pm**
(Stats via [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cdekddne4edt))
**Goals:**
**Newcastle United****:**
Tonali 9,43 Schar 69
**Brentford:**
Wissa 90+1
**Possession** was Newcastle 54% Brentford 46%
**Total shots** were Newcastle 23 Brentford 10
**Shots on target** were Newcastle 5 Brentford 3
**Corners** were Newcastle 8 Brentford 5
**Touches in the box** Newcastle 35 Brentford 23
**Newcastle team v Brentford:**
Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Trippier 77), Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 46), Murphy (Barnes 65), Isak (Osula 77), Gordon (Almiron 77)
**Unused Subs:**
Vlachodimos, Targett, Lewis Miley, Kelly
**Newcastle United upcoming matches:**
**Saturday 21 December** – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
**Thursday 26 December** – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
**Monday 30 December** – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
**Saturday 4 January** – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
**Sunday 12 January –** Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
**Wednesday 15 January** – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
**Saturday 18 January** – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
**Saturday 25 January** – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)
**Saturday 1 February –** Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
**Saturday 15 February –** Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
**Sunday 23 February –** Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports