Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe performed down his Carabao Cup ambitions after his aspect reached the final 4, insisting “we now have 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 aim at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening.
Yoane Wissa pulled one again for the guests in second-half stoppage time however it proved little greater than comfort as a robust Newcastle crew progressed.
Winger Anthony Gordon had stated within the build-up that he believed the Magpies might go on to win the cup and produce an finish to a 70-year home trophy drought.
Newcastle progress via 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 elevate the trophy after the match.
“I feel they will win it. We’ve got Liverpool, Arsenal [in the semi-final] – we want a change. It might 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 now have to simply give attention to the soccer,” Howe stated.
“We’ve got some huge Premier League video games in between so we now have to give attention to them. Within the blink of a watch we’ll be at Portman Highway [against Ipswich on Saturday] and we now have to be prepared for that sport now.”
The Newcastle supervisor did, nevertheless, avoid wasting good phrases of his personal for Tonali, whose two first-half strikes set Howe’s aspect on the right track 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 very best of him. The tweak in place has undoubtedly helped him, he’s much more comfy when he’s deeper on the pitch.
“He’s displaying all of the qualities that we knew after we signed him. It’s nearly discovering the proper steadiness for him and the crew.”