Alan Shearer explains why Newcastle’s Carabao Cup clash against Chelsea is so important

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Newcastle United are facing Chelsea in the second part of a league and cup double-header against the Blues on Wednesday evening with a Carabao Cup quarter-final place on the line.

Chelsea saw off the Magpies 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League at the weekend, with tonight’s cup tie seeing the two sides lock horns at St James’ Park as Eddie Howe’s team are offered a quick chance of revenge.

The Newcastle boss has made five changes to his side and is able to bring Anthony Gordon back into his starting XI after the forward had to sit out Sunday’s match with an injury.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have named an entirely different starting XI to Sunday’s team, which means matchwinner Cole Palmer drops to the bench.

Shearer says cup run ‘would calm everything down’

With Newcastle not having won in the Premier League since the victory over Wolves six games ago, a cup tie provides something of a respite for Howe and his team, with Magpies legend Alan Shearer outlining exactly what a win tonight would mean.

“A good cup run would just calm everything down at Newcastle” Shearer told BBC Radio 5Live. Things haven’t been great this season, it seems as if it has been one problem after another and it has been very difficult. 

“Tonight is an opportunity for the team to settle everything down and the fans would really appreciate that ahead of Arsenal at the weekend.”

Newcastle’s next Premier League fixture is a home clash against title contenders Arsenal at home in Saturday’s early kick-off, with a trip to Nottingham Forest following before the November international break.

Newcastle squad can become ‘heroes’ says Shay Given

Shearer’s take on how important cup competition are for Newcastle is echoed by his former teammate Shay Given, who says this is currently their only way of picking up silverware.

“Newcastle need to be really focused on the cup competitions, obviously there’s no chance of winning the league this season,” the former Magpies stopper also told the BBC.

“The cup competitions, especially tonight at home under the lights, the place will be absolutely rocking – they have to use the crowd and atmosphere.

“This group of players know silverware is the aim, if Eddie Howe and his team can do that, they’ll be heroes for a long time.”

The draw for the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup takes place after the conclusion of the Tottenham versus Manchester City tie, which is an 8.15pm kick-off.