Newcastle United are through to the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup after a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
They couldn’t do it again, could they?
Well, Newcastle United are certainly in the mix again, having cruised through to the quarter final of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
While the win was impressive enough, it was the manner in which they did - and the changes they were able to make - that truly impressed the most.
Eyebrows were raised 75 minutes before kick off when Howe shuffled his pack, making eight changes from the side who beat Fulham at St James’ Park at the weekend. Run outs for the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Joe Willock surprised many, but to a man, every one of the NUFC squad put in a performance, and arguably, collectively, cobbled together United’s most compete show of the campaign so far, against a near to full strength Spurs side.
Newcastle United get ‘favourable’ draw in the Carabao Cup quarter finals
And, it also feels like, just when they needed it, the draw gods were looking down on them again, with their third home draw on the bounce in the competition.
Newcastle will take on Fulham at St James’ Park in the last eight. Win that and it’s a two-legged semi-final before the showpiece at Wembley in March, 12 months on from lifting their first trophy in more than five decades earlier this year.
How far will NUFC go in the Carabao Cup?
So, we asked AI took Grok how far NUFC would go. Could they lift the trophy again? Well, here’s what it said...
On Newcastle’s quarter final with Fulham, it said: “Newcastle should advance. As defending champions with home advantage and recent momentum from beating Tottenham away, they are favourites against a mid-table Fulham side. Expect a 2-1 win, with Newcastle's attacking depth proving decisive.
“The other quarter-final ties are Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace, Cardiff City vs. Chelsea, and Manchester City vs. Brentford, setting up potential strong semi-final opponents.”
On the semi-final, it added: “Newcastle reaches the final. Assuming they draw a tougher side like Arsenal or Manchester City, their experience as recent winners and squad rotation in cup games give them an edge. Predict a narrow aggregate win (e.g., 3-2 over two legs) to continue their title defence.”
And the final? It said: “Newcastle lifts the trophy again. With a favorable path so far and proven cup pedigree (including last season's run), they could retain the title—perhaps beating Manchester City 1-0 in a gritty final. This would mark back-to-back wins, a rare feat in the competition's history.
“Overall, Newcastle are poised to go all the way and win the 2025/26 Carabao Cup, building on their defending champion status and solid early performances. If they falter, it's most likely in the semi-finals against a top rival, but their current trajectory suggests another deep run.”
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