Newcastle manager Eddie Howe downplayed his Carabao Cup ambitions after his team reached the semi-finals, insisting “we’ve just got to focus on football”.
Newcastle, runners-up in the competition in 2023, secured their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Brentford thanks to a Sandro Tonali brace and a Fabian Schar goal at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
Yoane Wissa scored a goal for the visitors in second-half stoppage time but it proved little more than a consolation as a strong Newcastle team advanced.
Winger Anthony Gordon had said in the build-up that he believed the Magpies could win the cup and end a 70-year domestic trophy drought.
Newcastle advance to the Carabao Cup semi-final! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VSCKsKWn64
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
And that sentiment was shared by Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who kindly said he hoped Newcastle would lift the trophy after the game.
“I think they can win it. We have Liverpool and Arsenal (in the semi-finals), we need a change. It would also mean more to Newcastle fans,” Frank said.
Howe largely deflected Frank’s praise, preferring to focus on the upcoming games.
“That’s very nice of Thomas, but we just have to focus on football,” Howe said.
“We have some important Premier League games in between so we have to concentrate on them. “In the blink of an eye we will be at Portman Road (against Ipswich on Saturday) and we have to be ready for that game now.”
The Newcastle boss, however, had some kind words for Tonali, whose two first-half goals put Howe’s side on course for victory.
That technique. 😮💨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/eZUrjxIKF6
—Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 18, 2024
“It was fantastic to see Sandro score the two goals he scored,” Howe added.
“We are starting to see the best in him. The position change has definitely helped him, he feels much more comfortable when he is deeper in the field.
“He is showing all the qualities we knew when we signed him. “It’s just about finding the right balance for him and the team.”
