Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe performed down his Carabao Cup ambitions after his facet reached the final 4, insisting “we’ve to simply give attention to the soccer.”
Newcastle, runners-up within the competitors in 2023, secured their semi-final spot with a 3-1 win over Brentford courtesy of a Sandro Tonali brace and a Fabian Schar purpose at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening.
Yoane Wissa pulled one again for the guests in second-half stoppage time but it surely proved little greater than comfort as a powerful Newcastle group progressed.
Winger Anthony Gordon had stated within the build-up that he believed the Magpies may go on to win the cup and convey an finish to a 70-year home trophy drought.
Newcastle progress by way of to the Carabao Cup semi-final! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VSCKsKWn64
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
And that sentiment was echoed by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who graciously stated he hoped Newcastle would carry the trophy after the match.
“I feel they’ll win it. We have now Liverpool, Arsenal [in the semi-final] – we want a change. It could imply extra to the Newcastle followers as properly,” Frank stated.
Howe largely swerved Frank’s reward, selecting as a substitute to give attention to the video games arising subsequent.
“That’s good of Thomas however we’ve to simply give attention to the soccer,” Howe stated.
“We have now some large Premier League video games in between so we’ve to give attention to them. Within the blink of an eye fixed we’ll be at Portman Highway [against Ipswich on Saturday] and we’ve to be prepared for that recreation now.”
The Newcastle supervisor did, nonetheless, avoid wasting good phrases of his personal for Tonali, whose two first-half strikes set Howe’s facet heading in the right direction for victory.
That approach. 😮💨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/eZUrjxIKF6
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 18, 2024
“It was nice to see Sandro rating the 2 that he did,” Howe added.
“We’re beginning to see the perfect of him. The tweak in place has positively helped him, he’s much more comfy when he’s deeper on the pitch.
“He’s exhibiting all of the qualities that we knew once we signed him. It’s nearly discovering the correct steadiness for him and the group.”
