Newcastle United continue Carabao Cup defence as Eddie Howe aims to join exclusive club

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Newcastle United continue their defence of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Carabao Cup holders knocked Bradford City out in the previous round, with Tottenham Hotspur next up at St James’ Park. Newcastle United’s relentless fixture schedule continues, as Eddie Howe’s side compete in their third different competition in just over a week.

Howe will be keen not to slip up, as he attempts to go deep into the Carabao Cup yet again. He will have ambitions of Newcastle United defending their crown, having beaten Liverpool in the 2025 final at Wembley back in March.

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How many clubs have retained the Carabao Cup

If Newcastle United do go on to retain the Carabao Cup in 2026, they will join an exclusive club.

Since the tournament’s inception in 1960, only four different clubs have been able to retain the League Cup.

Nottingham Forest were the first to do it, winning it back-to-back in 1978 and 1979. They then did it again in 1989 and 1990.

Manchester United have also won two League Cup titles in a row, with Sir Alex Ferguson doing it in 2009 and 2010.

Liverpool were the first club to win more than two League Cups in a row. Between 1981 and 1984, they won four on the bounce.

That accomplishment was repeated by Pep Guardiola, with Manchester City winning four consecutive League Cups between 2018 and 2021.

What happened the last time Newcastle United defended a domestic trophy

Before Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup in March 2025, their last domestic trophy was the 1955 FA Cup.

They did their best to defend it the following season, making it all the way to the quarter-finals of the 1956 FA Cup.

However, their journey came to an end when they faced rivals Sunderland. The Tyne-Wear derby was won by the Black Cats, with two goals from William Holden giving them victory at St James’ Park to advance to the semis.

Sunderland will be unable to derail Newcastle’s trophy defence this season, having been knocked out in the Carabao Cup second round by Huddersfield Town.

Away from domestic honours, Newcastle United defended the Fairs Cup during the 1969/70 season. They made it as far as the quarter-finals, eventually losing to Anderlecht.