Eddie Howe watched on as his team progressed to another cup semi-final.
An excellent performance from his Newcastle United team and Brentford very lucky to lose by only a two goal margin.
In the 60+ years of the League Cup, Newcastle have only reached the semi-finals three times, two of those three coming in these three seasons NUFC have kicked off under Eddie Howe.
With Arsenal and Liverpool also progressing and Spurs v Man U tonight for the other place in the semis, the NUFC Head Coach admits it is going to be tough whoever United face.
However, as Eddie Howe also says, the only important thing was Newcastle United making it through to the last four, which they have done in some style.
Eddie Howe reflecting on progress to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, with a 3-1 win over Brentford:
“Really pleased.
“It was a good performance from the players.
“Every game brings a new challenge and Brentford were what we thought we would be, a strong team.
“I thought we scored some really good goals.
“It was great to see Sandro Tonali score the two that he did.
“Just a really good feeling about the group at the moment and we are building in confidence all the time.
“We are starting to see the best of him [Tonali].
“The tweak in position has definitely helped him, he is a lot more comfortable when he is deeper on the pitch.
He is showing all the qualities that we knew when we signed him. It is just about finding the right balance for him and the team.
“The midfield wins and loses you games, it goes without saying that it is such an important area of the pitch. It was good to see him [Tonali], Bruno, Joelinton and Joe Willock all playing well today.
“The balance of the team is good.
“We have players playing in their chosen positions and playing well. We look creative again and a high number of shots and chances to score.
“Disappointed with the bookings and to lose two key players in Bruno and Schar for the first leg of the semi-final, but it goes with the territory, we are competitive and encourage the intensity so you can’t have everything.
“I think it was a good performance, tough game.
“Sandro’s first goal is an unbelievable strike and the second one is very difficult to do what he did in that moment.
“Two great finishes from him and I think that those early goals really helped us, could have been more in the second half but we are delighted to get through.
“Sandro was a big signing and you want your big signings to do well and settle quickly.
“He has been here a while, but has had very little football, so nights like tonight will build connections with him and the supporters even stronger, I’m just really pleased for him on a personal level.
“The tweak in position has definitely helped him, he is a lot more comfortable when he is deeper on the pitch.
“My focus was just on tonight, trying to get through.
“Then you are looking at the draw and seeing the teams left in.
“It’s going to be a really tough game in the semi-final but I think for us to be there is the most important thing.
“We will take on whoever we get and do our absolute best to try and get through to a second final, that would be an incredible thing.”
Eddie Howe on the Joelinton injury:
“Joe had a cut to his ear which I think was quite nasty, he’s gone away to get that looked at.”
Eddie Howe on the suspensions for Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimarares, who will miss the first leg of the semi-final after each picked up their second yellow card in the competition:
“Bruno and Fabby are two massive players for us.
“They are very consistent performers and we are going to miss them massively… but that is what the squad is for.
“It goes without saying that you want your best players available for the biggest games and they are two huge players for us, but we just have to accept it.
“There is nothing we can do about it, we just have to get other players ready to perform.
“I thought Joe Willock looked bright when he came on today, so that’s a big plus for him.
“Sven Botman is not too far away and hopefully that can be added competition for the centre-back positions.
“We have players returning from injury and hopefully the likes of Sven came make a big difference.
“Then we should also have Emil Krafth back in the not-too-distant future. I think Emil could be back for the semi-final. He is improving nicely. He is still some weeks off, but by the time that comes around, he could be available.”
Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Wednesday 18 December 7.45pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
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
(Two Newcastle United players pick up suspensions on Wednesday night – Harsh – Read HERE)
(Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
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