Two Steps from Wembley

My usual fiver on the score paid dividends last night as my 2-0 bet came up trumps.

My other prediction, or rather rotation advice to Eddie Howe, went down the pan and was ignored as eight changes were made from the side that beat Fulham.

Did those changes make much difference to the performance?

No, a Spurs team unbeaten in five away games were dispatched and dumped out of the EFL Cup with aplomb with goals from Fabian Schar and Nick Woltemade making it a largely unchallenged night at SJP.

And, two headed goals at that.

A goal from a corner was more than welcome and Thomas Frank blaming the referee because Schar's marker Spence was ambling back to his man after taking an age to tie his shoelaces is just plain tough.

Frank should tell the lad to put two knots in next time out - problem solved.

It was the Toon who were tying Spurs up in knots and the game was all but over five minutes into the second half when some good work from Joe Willock and a deft cross landed on Big Nick's head and the ball was duly planted in the net for his sixth goal in nine games.

We could have had more goals but I sent a note down to Eddie to ease off so that I could collect my 2-0 bet winnings. It's a measure of the man that he obliged.

Everything went right for the Lads and fans last night as after the win we were drawn at home to Fulham in the quarter finals.

That gives us every chance of another win and just one step from another EFL Cup final.

I'll leave the last words to Eddie on his team changes and reaction to the performance and win...

The Newcastle United manager said:

“It’s a really pleasing result, and testament to the squad and the attitude of the players.

“We enjoy this competition, we take it seriously and we want to do well in it.

There’s always a slight doubt how the team will knit together when you make changes and a lot of those players haven’t played regularly so it’s a great sign of their professionalism.

“It’s a result that puts us in a good place. We’ve still got to get our Premier League form fully back on track but this is another step in the right direction.”

Did you have doubts about the team Eddie selected, who came in and stepped up to the mark and who was your MOTM?

Post your comments below.

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