Every chance our Newcastle United love affair will persist with this…

Bit of a strange feeling heading into this one, I have to admit.

The League Cup has been utterly magnificent for Newcastle United these past few years, obviously culminating in that magnificent day it became the first trophy of most of our lifetimes.

It felt essential to do justice to our status as holders with as strong a defence as possible.

There is also a cold hard, practical view as to how the club needs to prioritise the season. This time last year nothing would have trumped the prospect of a trophy win, but having got that monkey off the back, the focus may have shifted slightly. I heard conflicting opinions as to how this match should be approached, with rotation likely.

We weren’t the only ones debating whether this should be a spot of tinkering or wholesale changes, as comments from Spurs fans reported on The Mag showed. The team selection was set to be very interesting all round.

It turned out to be fairly even as United retained only Burn, Thiaw and Woltemade from Saturday’s starting XI while Spurs made five changes. It’s an indicator of how far the squad has come on that the likes of Schar, Barnes and the fit again Tonali were coming in, as opposed to the more peripheral figures of years gone by.

Despite making more changes it was United who looked way more comfortable from the off, with that slick interplay returning for some really magnificent spells of quick passing. Elanga was heavily involved in one such move that ultimately led to Woltemade feeding the unmarked Barnes, who should maybe have done better than the outside of the post with his shot.

When the breakthrough did come, it was in a slightly novel way.

Tonali’s dipping corner was met expertly by Schar to head across goal and in. It’s probably only about the third goal we’ve scored via route one from a corner since Schar did exactly the same against this opposition at the Gallowgate end the season before last (although there was at least one very memorable example in this competition a few months back) and there was no need for concern at the mithering Spurs players badgering the ref as VAR wasn’t active in this game. I struggled to understand what there problem was, but Richarlison was occupying his usual role of chief workie ticket, ultimately earning a booking. Afterwards I found out that the ludicrous complaint was because Djed Spence had been tying his lace and Spurs didn’t feel the ref gave him enough time to casually amble back into position. Maybe get in position before you start doing bits of housekeeping mate, and don’t expect the game to revolve around you. I can only assume Spence’s role would have been to stand on the static Bergvall’s shoulders, as that’s what it would have taken for him to get anywhere near Fab’s jump.

Richarlison actually put his effort into the game for a bit after this, but it turned out to be inadequate, as he failed to connect with Johnson’s dangerous centre before heading straight down Ramsdale’s throat from close in. The best chance of the remainder of the half fell to Barnes again, as Thiaw knocked down Tonali’s cross to find him in space in the box once more, only to see his acrobatic effort clip the bar.

Within seconds of the restart United should have doubled the lead, as Burn continued a productive evening of steaming forward by releasing Barnes. His cross picked out Willock in the box but his header resembled more a ‘safe’ defensive clearance than an effort on goal. A shame this, as Willock had resembled his old self in a quality performance of a new look midfield alongside Ramsey and the dominant Tonali.

Little Joe would absolutely have his moment though, as it was his harrying of Danso that saw United win possession in the Spurs half. Thiaw carried it forward before finding Willock, who produced a fine floated cross for Woltemade to head in, with back up keeper Kinsky in no man’s land. Weren’t we told Big Nick wasn’t great in the air?

Our own back up keeper then showed that he’s more than just a benchwarmer, as Ramsdale was called into action after a quiet evening. His smart block from Richarlison was decent, but the full length save to keep out Sarr’s power drive that was bound for the bottom corner was magnificent, especially at a time when conceding a goal would have made the remainder of the game incredibly nervy.

As it was, this result never looked in doubt. There are a few lovely statistics at play here.

Thomas Frank extended his losing streak at SJP to five games after his stint at Brentford (plus 3 away wins for United in that time). Hapless Spurs registered a fourth straight defeat here, and their sixth loss in the last seven games. They have to come back here in five weeks too.

Fabian Schar’s goal was his 22nd for United and meant he has now scored in eight successive seasons. I am happy to be told otherwise but I believe only Shearer himself can beat or even equal that in the Premier League era (Shola had a goalless season in 2007/08, right in the middle of his time here). What a masterstroke of a signing Schar has proven to be by Rafa Benitez and what an absolute mess Steve Bruce almost made of the whole thing.

The result continues to build momentum, as there was some ludicrous pant wetting after an admittedly under par performance at Brighton that should be thoroughly dried out now after three straight wins in three competitions. Tonali was outstanding, seemingly thriving in a deeper role with more attack minded partners in Ramsey and Willock, both of whom had great games to boost confidence in the squad. The strength in depth in defence is encouraging with Lewis Hall’s imminent return set to help, and Wissa is at least close enough to make the team celebration photo. We can move on to West Ham with increasing confidence.

As for the League Cup, there is every chance our love affair with this competition persists. Ahead of the draw it felt essential to get a home tie, with the QF coming after a Champions League trip to Leverkusen and a weekend derby that may be a touch more challenging than we’d imagined pre-season.

I think we’d all have taken Fulham looking at the options available and now have to be favourite to reach a third semi final in four years. Howe is absolutely out on his own as Newcastle’s best manager in this competition, reaching a fourth consecutive quarter final after the club had only made that stage nine times in our history prior to his appointment. We have now played “big six” clubs in eight of our last 12 league cup ties, facing all six clubs and winning seven of those games, with the only defeat coming on penalties. Luck of the draw eh?

The question of congestion may well rear it’s head again as the Fulham match and any subsequent semi-finals would drop more high stakes games into a period already busy with European games, not to mention the subsequent introduction of the FA Cup. However, surely anyone who witnessed the events of March 16th, either at Wembley, at home or abroad, would be 100% invested in the push to get back there defending our trophy.

We’ve had some good times with the Carabao Cup, let’s extend them into Christmas week.

Newcastle 2 Spurs 0 – Wednesday 29 October 2025 8pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Schar 24, Woltemade 50

Spurs:

Possession was Newcastle 47% Spurs 53%

Total shots were Newcastle 10 Spurs 11

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Spurs 6

Corners were Newcastle 7 Spurs 2

Touches in the box Newcastle 29 Spurs 19

Ramsdale, Schar, Tonali, Barnes, Thiaw, Krafth (Trippier 72), Elanga (Gordon 89), Woltemade (Osula 71), Willock (Joelinton 71), Burn, Ramsey (Bruno 80)

Subs:

Pope, Botman, Miley, Jacob Murphy

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