Newcastle United booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable victory over Brentford.
Sandro Tonali was the star of the show as the Magpies beat Brentford 3-1 at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe praised Tonali in his new role last week, with the Italian thriving as a deep-lying midfielder in recent weeks. He started in that position again on Wednesday evening and scored twice.
Tonali’s first goal of the night came through a fiercely struck shot from the edge of the box, while his second came as a result of a corner. Fabian Schar added to Newcastle’s lead in the second half, before Brentford scored a late consolation.
Newcastle have improved at set pieces in the last few matches, with the Magpies scoring twice from dead-ball situations against Leicester City last week.
Newcastle United's Joelinton with wounds to his face during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James'...
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
‘Clever’ Newcastle United corner tactic works again
Jacob Murphy and Bruno Guimaraes capitalised from set pieces for their goals against Leicester in the Premier League, and Foxes manager Ruud van Nistelrooy picked up on a “clever” tactic used by the Magpies.
After the full-time whistle, Van Nistelrooy praised Newcastle for their blocking during set pieces – a strategy that helped create two goals.
“We have to learn from these games,” Van Nistelrooy said after the 4-0 defeat.
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“Newcastle outplayed us in some counterattacks and they were clever in the blocks in the set pieces.”
It is clearly something Newcastle have been working on in training…
What Joelinton did during Newcastle set pieces
Newcastle again profited from set pieces in the victory against Brentford with Tonali this time getting on the end of a well-worked routine.
But former Newcastle winger Chris Waddle pointed out that Joelinton blocked two players in the build-up to Newcastle’s second goal
Waddle told BBC Sport: “It’s a well-worked move off the training ground that ends in another great finish from Sandro Tonali.
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“Joelinton blocks two players and that allows Tonali to run onto it and pass it with his side foot into the goal.”
Newcastle have struggled for goals more than usual this season, but set pieces have proved to be a consistent route to scoring.
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