Newcastle United were on top form in many ways as they reached the Carabao Cup final with a win against Arsenal.
It is another night to remember for Newcastle United fans who will be making a second trip to the capital for a cup final in three seasons.
Newcastle’s win against Arsenal was evidence of what the club could achieve every week with a stadium in fine voice and a group of players who are willing to fight from start to finish.
Winger Jacob Murphy was praised by Newcastle defender Lewis Hall on social media after he scored the Magpie’s important first goal of the evening to give Eddie Howe’s side a three-goal cushion before Anthony Gordon lept onto a loose ball to make it two for the evening and four in the cup tie.
Sandro Tonali kept things ticking in midfield alongside Hall and captain Bruno Guimaraes. The Italian did not put a foot wrong all night and will now be in line to play at Wembley for the first time in his career.
While his performance on the pitch was excellent, it was an unseen moment after full-time that proves how invested he is in the club and fanbase.
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Sandro Tonali makes Newcastle fan’s dream come true
While Guimaraes received praise from Alan Shearer, Tonali was still sensational in his own right. Shearer has praised Howe for Tonali’s form this season – the Italian is now playing in a deeper midfield role, which allows other midfielders more freedom to play to their strengths.
Tonali was called ‘awesome’ by Jacob Murphy in a recent interview who credited him as the person who helped kickstart Newcastle’s turn in form.
After the win, fans captured a wonderful moment between Tonali and a young Newcastle fan – the midfielder handed the fan his shirt after spotting a sign asking for it.
Immediately after fans patted the boy on the head for his work getting the shirt – a memory that the young fan will never forget.
Tonali returned from his 10-month suspension in August but looked like he had never been away in his first game back.
Howe said Tonali ‘evolved’ while training away from Newcastle’s first-team squad – he believed Tonali was not ready to play as a deeper midfielder until after he returned from his ban.
Tonali could play a big role in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup Final
The feeling among the fanbase is that Newcastle are in a much better position to win silverware than they were in 2023 when they lost to Manchester United at Wembley.
Newcastle have a completely different starting XI in comparison to their last Wembley appearance, the positions that looked problematic in that game have now been addressed and improved upon.
The likes of Gordon, Tonali, Hall and Tino Livramento were not at the club for the last Carabao Cup final – the Magpies now have a squad that is worthy of winning silverware and a manager to suit.
Tonali has been in situations like this before, at just 24, he has the experience needed to win a trophy. The Italian won the Serie A with AC Milan and Serie B with Brescia during his time in Italy.
Internally, the PIF believe Newcastle can win two trophies this season – a boost, if they win, is that the Magpies will play European football next season. Winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup automatically inserts you into the Europa League.
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