Newcastle shatter Carabao Cup hoodoo with first semifinal in 46 years

NEWCASTLE: What a night. What a performance. What a team.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United continue to make history at St James’ Park, this time breaking a Carabao Cup hoodoo by finally reaching their first semifinal of the competition since the 1970s.

Goals from home hero Dan Burn and adopted Geordie Joelinton saw the Magpies fly past Leicester City and into the final four of the competition, just three games from an elusive first trophy of the PIF-financed era.

The draw for the final four, which will be a two-legged affair later this month, will be made on Wednesday, with the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City potentially lying in wait for the high-flying Magpies.

“Very much so. I’m delighted to achieve that,” said Howe about taking United to their first League Cup semi in 46 years.

“That is what we wanted pre-game, obviously, we were determined to try and get into the semifinal. Performance levels I thought were very, very good tonight. The players were excellent from start to finish and created a lot of chances today. Their goalkeeper played very well to keep us out for a period of time but gave a great performance.

“Getting to the semifinal is one thing but you want to get into the final and experience that. We know we have a huge test ahead of us, whoever we get. But we are just delighted to be in there.”

Team selection does the magic

Having been burned by his team selection at Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup at the weekend, Howe went with the tried and tested back on home turf, picking the same team who started at Arsenal last time out in the Premier League.

And much like that affair, this was also a tight encounter — but who was to expect anything less in a cup quarterfinal? Especially when