Newcastle United Advances to Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals with Victory Over Tottenham
Newcastle United secured a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after defeating Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to headers from Fabian Schar and Nick Woltemade.
While Spurs have capitalized on their aerial prowess this season, particularly during set-pieces, it was Newcastle who turned the tables at St James' Park.
The home side took the lead midway through the first half when Schar rose above Lucas Bergvall to head in from a corner taken by Sandro Tonali.
Spurs players protested to referee Chris Kavanagh, claiming the corner was taken as defender Djed Spence was just getting to his feet after putting his boot back on, but the goal was allowed to stand.
Woltemade extended Newcastle's lead with his sixth goal of the season, connecting with a scooped cross from Joe Willock and nodding the ball past goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who was unable to make the save.
Tottenham came close to pulling one back when midfielder Pape Sarr's first-time shot forced a spectacular save from Aaron Ramsdale, who dove to his left to keep the clean sheet.
Newcastle managed to maintain their advantage, progressing to the last eight of the competition for the fourth consecutive season.
Newcastle Analysis: Geordies Dream of Further Wembley Glory
The fourth round has historically been a challenging stage for Carabao Cup holders in recent years, with Manchester City eliminated in 2021 and Liverpool and Manchester United following suit in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
However, Newcastle appeared determined not to join that list on Wednesday night.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes emphasized the team's desire to "create history" by defending the trophy. Despite head coach Eddie Howe making eight changes to the lineup, the players who stepped in clearly understood the significance of the match.
The squad featured a mix of six players who were part of last season's triumph, ending Newcastle's 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy, along with five of the club's summer signings.
This strategy paid off, as by the time Woltemade scored to make it 2-0, the home crowd was already singing and envisioning a return to Wembley for the upcoming March showpiece.
While Newcastle has much work ahead to reach a third consecutive final, the belief among players and fans remains strong.
What’s Next for These Teams?
Newcastle will travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, November 2 (14:00 GMT), before hosting Athletic Club at St James' Park in the Champions League on Wednesday, November 5 (20:00 GMT).
Meanwhile, Spurs will host Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, November 1 (17:30 GMT), followed by a home match against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday, November 4 (20:00 GMT).