Newcastle United cruised into the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
The Magpies dispatched Brentford thanks to Sandro Tonali’s brace and a 69th-minute close-range finish from Fabian Schar which moved them a step closer to Newcastle’s first trophy since 1969.
Newcastle will learn their semi-final opponents on Thursday with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal among those who they could be involved in a two-legged showdown with.
It’s two semi-final appearances in three years for Eddie Howe who has always had good runs in the Carabao Cup. The Toon boss guided Newcastle to their first cup final in 23 years in 2023 but couldn’t get past Manchester United at Wembley.
Last season, an injury-ridden Newcastle were thwarted by Chelsea on penalties at Stamford Bridge in the quarter-finals.
While the result was everything Newcastle fans could’ve asked for, it was the move from a star man that caught the eye.
Sandro Tonali arrived 30 minutes early to Newcastle’s game against Brentford
On Sky Sports’ commentary of Newcastle’s win against Brentford, Keith Downie noted that Sandro Tonali was the first player to arrive at St James’ Park ahead of the game.
In fact, he was over half an hour earlier than anyone else in Newcastle’s squad. The move proved to be the right one as he bagged a first-half brace in a man of the match performance.
After Tonali’s first goal, Downie said: “Tonali was the very first Newcastle player to arrive tonight, more than half an hour before his teammates.
“Out the blocks quickly on the pitch too with that strike putting Newcastle in front…”
Tonali’s excellence didn’t stop at the goals either. He completed 53 passes out of 60 attempts (93%) as well as registering four tackles and completing all of his dribbles.
After Tonali lost 10 months of his career due to a ban, he looks to have fully gotten back up to speed with English football following his return to football in August.
Joelinton’s absence from Newcastle’s team photo explained
Newcastle kept up the tradition of posting a team photo to social media after a win on Wednesday with another snap showing players and staff celebrating the performance.
Joelinton, a team photo regular, was absent from the photo. The midfielder was taken off at half-time after sustaining a nasty head injury caused by Brentford’s Nathan Collins, who accidentally stepped on the Brazilian.
The game was stopped during the first half to give the 28-year-old more treatment before he was replaced by Joe Willock at the break.
On Joelinton, Howe said: “Joey had a cut to his ear which was quite nasty so I think he’s gone to get that looked at.”
While it does not sound like a major injury for Joelinton, he will not be involved against Ipswich Town on Saturday. That is because he is suspended after picking up his fifth Premier League booking of the season during the win over Leicester City.
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