Newcastle moved closer to ending a 54-year major trophy drought with a 2-0 win over Leicester in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
In front of an explosive atmosphere at St James’ Park, Newcastle dominated but it took until the 60th minute to open the scoring when Dan Burn scored his first goal for the club.
That lead was doubled 12 minutes later when Joelinton raced in behind from the left to take the same corner as Burn to win it.
Leicester, who offered little in the way of big plays without the still-injured James Maddison, created a couple of late openings but substitute Jamie Vardy wasted a selection of them, side-footing the goal wide from seven yards.
The win ended a 47-year run without reaching the League Cup semi-finals for Newcastle as they look to win their first major trophy since 1969. They will find out their semi-final opponents on Wednesday night – the draw is live on Sky Sports.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said of Newcastle’s barren trophy run: “It’s been too long, too long a wait. That’s not a criticism of anyone who’s tried, but we’re desperate to speed up the process and try to get the team up and running as soon as possible.
“That’s easier said than done, and now we’re going to the semi-finals. Getting to the semi-finals is one thing, but you want to get to the final, you want to experience it.
“We know we’re going to have a big test ahead of us whoever we get, but we’re delighted to be there.”
As Newcastle edged closer to Wembley…
Bruno Guimaraes cleaned up both Harvey Barnes and referee Darren England during Newcastle’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Leicester.
Newcastle’s boisterous home support demanded a quick start and they could have been in front within 45 seconds, but Sean Longstaff smashed home at the back post when it looked easier to score.
The excellent Bruno Guimaraes missed the target after Joe Willock and Joelinton linked up well down the left and Longstaff missed another good opening when Danny Ward cleared his effort.
Leicester threatened sporadically with Patson Daka’s decision to cross instead of take a corner, which proved to be the wrong one as they somehow got to the break at 0-0 despite Newcastle’s dominance.
Joelinton’s low shot rebounded off the foot of the post within seconds of the restart as the one-sided feel of the game continued. Burn then headed over Kieren Trippier from a free-kick when he might have been better – but his moment would come.
Burn celebrates scoring his first goal for Newcastle
The full-back, a former Newcastle season holder, burst into the box from the left and fired over Ward and inside the far post to send the home crowd into raptures.
The roof fell off the stadium again shortly after when Joelinton latched on to Miguel Almiron’s pass that sent Marco Albrighton offside. Like Burn, the Brazilian found the far corner with a nice finish.
The 2-0 deficit seemed to encourage Leicester as they began to find space with Vardy up the pitch, but he missed two glorious chances to reduce the deficit in quick succession, first missing an open goal from seven yards and then firing over the bar. angle.
This was Newcastle’s night. And how the home fans celebrated.
Player of the match: Bruno Guimares
Sky Sports’ Co-commentator Andy Hinchcliffe said: “This player epitomizes this Newcastle performance. The perfect blend of aggression and quality.”
Guimares was the driving force. He was everywhere. Putting out Leicester’s fire on the counter and building on good play from his teammates, although his finishing was a little lacking. That was the only drawback for a player who is progressing quickly – just as his club is going.
Watch the incredible scenes from Newcastle’s dressing room as they celebrate their 2-0 win over Leicester in the Carabao Cup.
Howe: We just don’t stop
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe speaking to Sky Sports:
“It was a similar feeling to the Leeds and Sheffield games on Wednesday. We had chance after chance and we couldn’t take them. It’s important not to get impatient and not think too much about things and be too extravagant. I thought we really controlled things well. The goals came at the right time. You are always looking for things to improve.
“Leicester is a transition threat, especially when Vardy comes in. The concentration of the defenders was very good. At 0-0 we limited them.
“The characteristic of our team is that they don’t stop. The sportsmanship of our team is very high. Along with that is the mentality, to understand the need to work and run and our players understand that. We were trying to push until the end.
“You have to enjoy winning. It doesn’t happen all the time. You work hard for the moments in the dressing room and you want the players to enjoy it.”
Rodgers: Newcastle deserved to win
Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers in an interview with Sky Sports:
“Firstly, congratulations to Newcastle for going through to the semi-finals. I think they deserved to win the game. We lacked quality. We passed the ball too easily and needed too many touches. We have no arguments. Two. soft goals too. We can be better in those areas. But Newcastle were better.
“We had chances. In the first half we got into good areas. In the second half we had good chances. If Jamie [Vardy] increases the score to 2-1 in the last 15 minutes of the game, it makes him more nervous. We couldn’t really score so they felt the pressure.”
Carabao Cup quarter finals
Wednesday, January 11, 7:30 p.m
Start at 20:00
Tuesday: Manchester United 3-0 Charlton
Tuesday: Newcastle 2-0 Leicester
Wednesday: Nottingham Forest v Wolves – start at 19.45 hours
Wednesday: Southampton vs Manchester City – start at 20:00, live Sky Sports
What’s next?
Sunday, January 15, 1:00 p.m
Start at 14:00
Newcastle return to Premier League action at 14:00 Great Sunday when they take over Fulham at St James’ Park, live Sky Sports. Eddie Howe’s side then travel to The Crystal Palace at 17:30 on January 21, also live Sky Sports.
Next for Leicester is a trip to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday at 3 p.m. before the home game against Brighton at the same time on January 21.