Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham eliminated from League Cup

MANCHESTER, England: Just how important Nick Pope’s penalty shootout saves prove to be for Newcastle may not be known until February.

But this was a very good night to stay in the English League Cup for a team looking to make a statement with a trophy.

Newcastle, flying high in the Premier League, looked in danger of joining a host of big teams to be eliminated from the competition on Wednesday, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all losing in the third round.

West Ham were also beaten by Blackburn on penalties following a 2-2 draw, to add to the number of topflight sides going out.

Defending champion Liverpool only narrowly avoided joining them — eventually seeing off League One club Derby in a shootout after a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

It was a night when the competition was blown wide open for those making the fourth round.

Which is why Pope’s save to deny Crystal Palace’s Malcolm Ebiowei could prove so crucial to Newcastle’s campaign.

While the Saudi-backed club has been one of the stories of the season so far, climbing up to third in the table just a year after looking in serious danger of relegation, its wait for a major trophy dates back to 1969.

How their fans would relish silverware — even if Champions League qualification is the priority this season.

Not even all-time record scorer Alan Shearer could lead his boyhood club to a trophy when it last made a major push to join the elite of European football in the 1990s.

So, it would be a major statement of intent if manager Eddie Howe manages to bring that long wait to an end.

Pope made three saves in the shootout to secure a 3-2 win on penalties that will install Newcastle as one of the favorites to make it all the way to the final on Feb. 26.

“It’s