Newcastle are into the Carabao Cup semi-final for the second time in three years and boss Eddie Howe has his eyes on another final after Sando Tonali inspired the Toon to victory over Brentford
Eddie Howe admits he is eyeing an “incredible” second Wembley trip in three years after Sandro Tonali’s heroics.
Tonali has waited 17 months to set Newcastle alight – and his double strike sent the Geordies into the last four of the Carabao Cup. The ex-Milan midfielder endured a ten month betting ban last season, and a slow start to his career on Tyneside as the club worked out how to unlock his strengths.
But now the Italian international is looking like the main man, anchoring the midfield and rediscovering his goalscoring touch with his first since his debut last season. Newcastle brushed aside a meek challenge from a depleted Brentford whose miserable away form is a brake on their ambitions.
Newcastle had 51,765 fans in to see Howe’s side reach their second semi final in three years, with the games taking place on January 8 and February 5. The only bad news for the victors was Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar picking up yellow cards and being suspended for the first leg.
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Howe said: “You see the teams left in and it will be a tough game in the semi final. We will do our best to get through to a second final. It would be incredible. Sandro’s is an unbelievable strike and the second one is difficult to do. We are delighted to get through.
“He has looked more comfortable deeper, and has less responsibility to score. But he can score from distance and hits the ball cleaner than anyone. It is brilliant to see Sandro, a big signing, doing well. You want them to settle quickly. Nights like this build the connection with the supporters.”
Howe is adamant he doesn’t want to lose any of his stars in January with Bruno Guimaraes linked to Man City. He said: “I would love to keep the squad together. Losing any players would be very difficult for me. Losing players is not in my thoughts.”
Thomas Frank said: “We met a better team than us. We lost fair and square. Newcastle can win it. I said to Eddie, I hope they can win it! We need a change. It would mean more to the Newcastle fans than the rest.”
Tonali had not scored since his debut for Newcastle on the first day of last season but saved a beauty for a huge game. He drilled a sweetly struck volley through the defensive bodies past Mark Flekken. For his second, England winger Anthony Gordon swung in a corner with Newcastle’s big man blocking in key areas, leaving space for Tonali to arrive late 14 yards out to jump and side foot home a clever finish.
Swiss defender Schar added the and ended the game as a contest after 69 minutes, tapping home a Guimaraes cross. Yoane Wissa netted an injury time consolation.
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