Sandro Tonali makes up for lost time by firing Newcastle into League Cup semi-finals

Newcastle United have had to wait to see this version of Sandro Tonali. They have had to be patient, as well as understanding, but after his majestic, virtuoso display booked their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, it was worth it.

Tonali was superb, dominating the midfield, striding around the pitch looking a class above every Brentford player who tried to get near him.

It was a performance of precision and power, silky touches, accurate passing, thumping tackles and two wonderful goals. It was the complete midfielder showing off all his skills as Eddie Howe became the first Newcastle manager to reach two cup semi-finals since the late, great Sir Bobby Robson 20 years ago.

Newcastle lost in the Carabao Cup final to Manchester United two years ago and would love to be back there in the spring. Over two legs, in the semi-finals, nobody will want to face them – or Tonali – in this sort of form.

“It was a lovely moment, hearing and seeing the fans singing his name and for him to get to experience that in a game like this,” Howe said.

“He has already formed a really strong bond with the supporters and nights like this will only strengthen it. I like to see players rewarded for hard work, dedication and loyalty, and Sandro has shown all of those things. He has been through some dark times here, but he has come through that and is showing what a talent he is.”

Howe had been forced to keep his expensive, high-performance Italian sports car locked in the garage for 10 months and it has taken some time to get his engine fine-tuned now he is back out on the road.

Tonali has been improving steadily, week by week, game by game. When you have missed almost an entire season there is bound to be some rustiness. No matter how good you look in training, it is in the games where it matters.

Howe had used him carefully, bringing him in and out of the starting XI – much to the chagrin of some fans – refusing to be swayed by public opinion. He wanted to see more and publicly said as much.

And slowly but surely Newcastle are starting to see a proper return on their £55 million investment from AC Milan.

Tonali has arguably been Newcastle’s best player since he came back from the last international break and was metronomic in the centre of the midfield during the dismantling of Leicester City.

He brings a physicality and athleticism but also has the technique you would expect of an Italian maestro. And it is the speed of his passing that has unlocked a new level in Newcastle’s build-up play

Tonali can pass long or short, but it is his vision and awareness that stands out. He is a player who sees the bigger picture; who seems to know where everyone is standing on the pitch, team-mate and opposition, before he receives the ball. And he is always making himself available to receive it

The only thing that had been missing was a goal. The fans, who adore him, sensing he was a player who needed their love as he dealt with the guilt and remorse of the gambling addiction and the 10-month ban it earned him – had been desperate to see him score.

The wait was worth it. Newcastle had started well but they needed to take the lead and Tonali delivered with a classy, drilled, first-time finish from 20 yards after Brentford had failed to clear Tino Livramento’s cross far enough from danger.

The roar was huge. The “Sandro Ole Ole” chants began almost immediately, spreading to all four sides of the ground. Tonali soaked it in and returned the love.

“It was an unbelievable strike,” said Howe. “I’m delighted for him, we have seen how cleanly he strikes the ball in training but we have had to wait for him to get that goal.”

It was a lovely moment and they got to do it again before the break. The second one was even better, Tonali leaping off the ground, close to the penalty spot, to catch Anthony Gordon’s corner on the volley. The shot would have probably beaten Mark Flekken anyway, but found the corner via a slight deflection off Nathan Collins.

His team-mates began the “Ole Ole” chant as they huddled together in celebration. Tonali is popular as well as talented.

Brentford could have conceded another three or four in the second half, Gordon, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy, who hit the post in the first, all going close before Harvey Barnes also hit the woodwork.

But the home side still got the cushion of the third goal when Bruno Guimaraes set Fabian Schar up for a tap-in after Lewis Hall’s effort was saved.

Brentford were outplayed and their goal, in stoppage time from Yoane Wissa, came from a Newcastle mistake. Thomas Frank’s side barely created anything in open play. So strong at home, they remain too easy to beat on their travels.

10:05 PM GMT

That’s all from us

So, Newcastle United march on. With Ipswich Town away on Saturday, they could notch up three wins on the spin.

Thanks for reading our coverage and keep the comments rolling in.

09:56 PM GMT

Liverpool join Newcastle and Arsenal in semi-finals

Liverpool have joined Arsenal and Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after seeing off Southampton in a hard-fought 2-1 win.

With Tottenham Hotspur playing Manchester United tomorrow, it’s clear there will be no easy draw.

09:52 PM GMT

Dubravka catches the eye

Martin Dubravka deserves a mention. When called upon, he made some decisive interventions and a couple of strong saves to deny Brentford. Not much he could do about that late goal.

On this evidence, Nick Pope will not stroll back into the starting XI casually.

09:45 PM GMT

In the other Carabao Cup QFs...

You can follow Southampton v Liverpool here as the home side fight to make it 2-2 and bring about penalties.

Earlier in the evening, in a see-saw game, Arsenal saw off Crystal Palace 3-2. Gabriel Jesus was the star performer with a hat-trick. Read all about it here.

09:42 PM GMT

Full-time: Newcastle United 3 Brentford 1

Newcastle United move into the Carabao Cup semi-final and one step closer to ending their 70-year trophy drought. They were more clinical and more dynamic, with Gordon and Tonali pulling the strings. A well-deserved win. Two sublime finishes from the Italian too.

Their press frustrated Brentford. Damsgaard gave them much-needed, tardy creativity from the bench.

09:40 PM GMT

90+2 mins: Newcastle United 3 Brentford 1

Cavernous holes in both midfields now. Osula charges through but Ajer puts him off and Flekken stops his effort. And with that, the full-time whistle goes.

09:38 PM GMT

GOAL!

Newcastle United 3 Brentford 1 (Wissa). Damsgaard wins the ball in midfield and plays it to Mbuemo, running at a stretched defence. He is a step ahead of Livramento and sends the ball in for his strike partner, who adds a consolation.

Three minutes of stoppage time added.

09:35 PM GMT

88 mins: Newcastle United 3 Brentford 0

Brentford are pressing for a goal. Damsgaard has added a spark.

Wissa collects a well-weighted through ball ball and breaks away from Schar, but Dubravka comes out and beats the ball away.

09:32 PM GMT

85 mins: Newcastle United 3 Brentford 0

Ben Mee got up at the back post to meet Damsgaard’s fine cross, but his header goes narrowly wide of the post.

Will the travelling supporters get a consolation before the five-hour drive home?

09:29 PM GMT

84 mins: Newcastle United 3 Brentford 0

It is resembling shooting practice for the home side. Harvey Barnes has Flekken diving to his left to stop his low, lashed shot. He doesn’t get there, but it comes back off the post and out. A minute later, a cut-back to Sandro Tonali is blocked by a Brentford leg.

09:28 PM GMT

81 mins: Newcastle United 3 Brentford 0

It’s just not flowing for Brentford. Wissa overhits a pass through to Mbeumo and the ball rolls out for a goal kick. Too little, too late.

09:25 PM GMT

79 mins: Newcastle United 3 Brentford 0

Paris Maghoma gets his body in the way of yet another Tonali volley from a corner. That would be quite a hat-trick if the Italian could pull it off.

09:24 PM GMT

77 mins: Newcastle United 3 Brentford 0

Barnes clips a delicate ball into the box which Collins heads out for a corner. It’s damage limitation for Brentford.

Eddie Howe rings in the changes, as St James’ Park faithful serenade Anthony Gordon. They are confident their side is going through to the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Osula → Isak

Trippier → Hall

Almiron → Gordon

09:21 PM GMT

73 mins: Newcastle United 3 Brentford 0

Two changes for Brentford, two men with very similar names come on.

Keane Lewis-Potter has arguably been the visitors’ best player, tenacious in defence and causing Livramento problems in attack. Off he goes.

Maghoma → Schade

Meghoma → Lewis-Potter

09:17 PM GMT

GOAL!

Newcastle United 3 Brentford 0 (Schar) That should be their passage through to the semi-final secured.

From a corner, a Tonali volley was blocked, as was Hall’s follow-up. When that came back to him, Hall sent a low shot in through a sea of bodies. Flekken parried well low to his left, but Guimaraes pounced on the rebound.

Rather than rifle it in himself, he unselflessly slipped it to Schar on the six-yard box for a tap-in.

09:14 PM GMT

67 mins: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Slick move from Brentford, at last finding space and pace. Wissa plays it to Keane-Potter outpaces Livramento on the left wing, who dives in and is fortunate he doesn’t take down the youngster.

Dubravka is equal to his shot at the near post and Newcastle clear the corner.

09:12 PM GMT

65 mins: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Barnes → Murphy. He has four goals in eight games against Brentford.

09:08 PM GMT

62 mins: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Newcastle are purring, moving through the gears. Guimaraes cleverly back-heeled the ball to Jacob Murphy and he curled the ball just past the left post from the edge of the 18-yard box, with Isak a few steps behind him. Probably ought to be testing Flekken from there.

Brentford make some substitutions: Bryan Mbeumo on for Carvalho, Mikkel Damsgaard for Janelt.

09:05 PM GMT

59 mins: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Chance for Newcastle: set free and into space, Anthony Gordon cut in from the left, sending a low shot beyond Flekken but just wide of the post. The home side are still the more likely candidates to score.

Carvalho gave the ball away in attack and Newcastle broke strongly.

09:03 PM GMT

55 mins: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Newcastle United are keeping hold of the ball and moving it around. Gordon nearly gets an opening on the left and takes the short corner quickly, but it’s headed out by Brentford.

Now, Willock drives at the Brentford defence and Mee deflects his cross out. He suggests the defender used his arm to do so; VAR would probably have had that down as a penalty.

09:00 PM GMT

53 mins: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

There is Anthony Gordon again, hassling and harrying in defence to dispossess Wissa near the corner. Guimaraes relieves the pressure, cannily going down when he feels pressures to give the home side a free-kick.

08:59 PM GMT

51 mins: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Ben Mee scoops a cross into Row X after a free kick into the box came out to him. Brentford will have to do a lot better than that.

08:56 PM GMT

47 mins: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Brentford have to take a few more risks and create some chances if they are going to get a foothold in this game. One wonders how long Thomas Frank will wait before sending on reinforcements like Mbeumo and Damsgaard.

Wissa improvises from Schade’s flicked-on long throw with an overhead kick, which shoots over the bar. Carvalho, who was running in to his right, was arguably a better bet to finish that.

08:52 PM GMT

45 mins: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Joe Willock comes on for Joelinton at half-time, the attacking midfielder presumably feeling off kilter after getting a stud to the face early on. Newcastle kick off.

08:49 PM GMT

Tonali back to his best

Newcastle fully deserve their two goal lead at half time and have been by far the better side so far in this quarter final.

Their supporters had been desperate to see Sandro Tonali score following his return from a 10 month gambling ban and have had to be patient.

The wait, though, was worth it. If Tonali’s first goal was good, a well controlled, first time finish from 20 yards, the second was even better as he leapt in the air to catch Anthony Gordon’s corner on the volley from just about the penalty spot and left Mark Flekken with no chance.

The only negative for the Magpies is the bookings to Bruno and Fabian Schar which means both will miss the first leg of the semi final if Newcastle go on to win this one.

08:44 PM GMT

Carabao Cup quarter-final scores on the doors

• Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 (57 minutes played)

• Southampton 0 Liverpool 2 (41 minutes played)

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United play tomorrow evening in the fourth and final quarter-final.

08:41 PM GMT

Half-time: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Newcastle have been on top, dangerous down the wings, and clinical with their few chances. Eddie Howe will be asking for more of the same.

08:36 PM GMT

45 mins+4: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Jacob Murphy very nearly makes it three. Guimaraes and Tonali had a 1-2 which was slightly too strong, but the Italian got to the ball before it went out. He played it to Isak, who slotted it to Murphy and his powerful shot pinged off the outside of the post and out.

Panic stations for Brentford. Thomas Frank could do with the half-time break, so that his side can regroup.

08:32 PM GMT

45 mins+1: Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0

Six minutes of stoppage time to be added. Livramento has gone into the referee’s box, taking out Lewis-Potter as he charged forward. He can’t have too many arguments about that.

Lewis-Potter picks himself up but his effort is high and wide. Brentford have not threatened much in the first 45 minutes.

08:30 PM GMT

GOAL!

Newcastle United 2 Brentford 0 (Tonali). Sandro Tonali comes through a crowded penalty area at a corner, leaps and volleys mid-air. The ball takes a little deflection off a Brentford shoulder which helps to take it beyond Flekken. Accuracy over power right there.

The Italian midfielder has been irresistible this evening.

Joelinton and Wissa tumbled while that was happening. Foul or not? Well, without VAR, there is no delay. That may be scrutinised later.

08:27 PM GMT

40 mins: Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0

There is a pause in play, with Joelinton sat on the halfway line. Wonder whether it is related to his head injury earlier. He goes off briefly.

08:24 PM GMT

37 mins: Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0

Yellow card for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes. He lost control after haring into the box from a neat 1-2 and took out Ben Mee, standing on his foot. Naughty, naughty.

08:21 PM GMT

35 mins: Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0

Chance for Anthony Gordon. The Newcastle midfielder was set free by a fine long ball by Schar. Nathan Collins came across and covered admirably one-on-one as Gordon cut inside and tried to shoot.

In a first half light on shots, that’s the best opportunity so far.

08:17 PM GMT

32 mins: Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0

Yellow card for Collins, as Anthony Gordon anticipated the pass back and blocked the defender’s ponderous pass. A professional foul was needed, hauling him back, to avoid him running towards the goal with the deflection.

Gordon has started brightly, not just asking questions in attack but hounding Brentford defenders, terrier-like, in his press.

08:15 PM GMT

29 mins: Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0

The press from Newcastle United is negating Brentford’s best attacking instincts. Schar, on a yellow card from earlier, and Tonali combine to nick the ball off Lewis-Potter.

Gordon gets the ball on the left wing and wins a corner, the ball skittering off Roerslev’s boot. However, the England international sends a poor subsequent ball in over the heads of everyone and out.

08:09 PM GMT

23 mins: Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0

Joelinton is back on the field after a bit of stapler action on his head and nearly picks Roerslev’s pocket in front of Flekken’s goal. Brentford play deftly, working the ball out from the back, but it sometimes elicits sharp intakes of breath when their defenders are almost closed down by the opposition.

08:08 PM GMT

Geordie Santa is full of cheer

08:05 PM GMT

19 mins: Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0

Brentford have looked more settled since conceding the goal. Carvalho jinks on the edge of the box and Ajer wins a corner with his blocked cross. Newcastle make a hash of clearing it.

The game is briefly stopped, as Joelinton is down with a cut on his head. He is up quickly, with angry words for Nathan Collins, who landed on him while going for the bouncing ball.

08:03 PM GMT

Brentford stunned by Tonali’s first Newcastle goal in 16 months

That was Sandro Tonali’s first goal for Newcastle since he returned from his ten-month gambling ban and his first since his debut against Aston Villa back in August 2023.

A fine strike from the Italy international and it is fair to say the home fans really enjoyed that one, singing his name non stop since the ball swerved beyond goalkeeper Mark Flekken and into the back of the net.

Newcastle had started well but they now have the all-important first goal. The atmosphere has been electric and Brentford look a little stunned at the moment.

08:00 PM GMT

14 mins: Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0

Mads Roerslev comes on for the injured Ethan Pinnock. An early blow for Brentford, as well as their Premier League fixtures coming thick and fast this winter.

07:58 PM GMT

11 mins: Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0

The Brentford players surround the ref, appealing for a penalty. Nothing doing there: Wissa was going for a 50-50 against Dubravka, but the goalkeeper got down bravely to get a hand in to swat the ball away. Didn’t look like there was any contact there.

There’s worry for Brentford as Ethan Pinnock requires treatment for an injury to his left leg. The stalwart may need to come off.

07:56 PM GMT

GOAL!

Newcastle United 1 Brentford 0 (Tonali). Ideal start for the home side. The ball came in from Tino Livaramento, it was poorly cleared by Collins and Wissa had dropped off Tonali. He catches it on the half-volley from the edge of the penalty area, firing it into the turf and into the right-hand corner of the net. Flekken can’t get close to it. Fierce finish, fine technique.

07:53 PM GMT

6 mins: Newcastle United 0 Brentford 0

Lewis Hall lets a ball back to him from the throw-in roll out, gifting Brentford a long throw-in. Ethan Pinnock chucks it in, looking for some Rory Delap-esque magic, but Dan Burn gets up high to clear it. Pinnock lofts in a cross, but Martin Dubravka claims the ball.

07:49 PM GMT

3 mins: Newcastle United 0 Brentford 0

Brentford may need to weather an early storm. The home side have started sharply.

Joelinton meets Tonali’s low ball across the box, turning neatly to get away from his man, but his side-footed effort from by the penalty spot is blocked by a sprawling Nathan Collins.

07:47 PM GMT

1 min: Newcastle United 0 Brentford 0

Brentford kick off, shooting towards the Gallowgate. The home side hustle the ball back and start moving the ball around. Guimaraes gets to a through ball on the byline and fires a ball in, but it’s well cleared.

07:44 PM GMT

Home fans in full voice

It’s a sell-out at St James’ Park. The Geordies sing Hey Jude pre-match and roar as the teams trot out onto the pitch. Alexander Isak high-fives his team-mates, seconds before kick-off.

The home side are playing in their familiar black-and-white vertical stripes with black shorts, visitors Brentford don a pink shirt with purple shorts.

07:40 PM GMT

Collins comes in for Van den Berg

One late change for Brentford - Nathan Collins replaces Sepp van den Berg, who drops out after the warm-up.

07:39 PM GMT

This Christmas cracker kicks off in five minutes

07:34 PM GMT

Thomas Frank critical of tight December scheduling

“Us and Crystal Palace are the only teams in the quarter finals that have to play three games in six days,” the Brentford manager said in his press conference yesterday.

“The other six teams, the bigger clubs - are playing in eight or nine days, which might be a coincidence? Maybe the EFL or Premier League can answer that.”

His line-up tonight is partly a response to that. “I think it is about getting the balance right in a tight week where we’d like to perform in all three games,” he said just now to Sky Sports. “I’ve been quite vocal, I don’t think we had the optimal schedule but it is what it is and full belief that this team can compete.

“A game is over 90 minutes, not the first 60 and I know I have quite a few players to shoot with during the game. I’m confident, we know it’s going to be difficult, it’s a fantastic occasion and place to play.”

07:23 PM GMT

Sandro Tonali speaks to Sky Sports

“It’s a great opportunity for us. If we win the game, the season will be a different moment,” the Newcastle United midfielder says.

“We know how important this game is, we know all the people in Newcastle know that. It is not a normal game, not a league game. We need to play the same as the last game here at St James’ Park.”

07:17 PM GMT

Brentford missing a couple of stars

Thomas Frank is comfortable leaving big names out, but several of his five changes come as a surprise. Their top scorer Bryan Mbeumo is on the bench, alongside midfield pass master Mikkel Damsgaard. We’ll know whether it was a selection master-stroke or madness in two hours’ time.

Ben Mee has started the last few Carabao Cup games, so it’s not such a shock to see him slot in for Nathan Collins.

07:11 PM GMT

Anticipation building in Newcastle ahead of biggest game of their season

Walking through the city centre towards St James’ Park you can sense this is a different sort of evening for Newcastle United.

A midweek cup game, under the lights, with supporters packing into the many bars and pubs within walking distance of St James’ Park, it feels like a big occasion.

It is nights like these that have helped to convince many of us that Newcastle must rebuild and modernise their current ground rather than move elsewhere. As appealing as an entirely new multi-purpose stadium might be to the money men, the location of St James’ Park is what makes it special. The city centre is full of fans, those with tickets and those without.

This is only a Carabao Cup quarter final against Brentford, but everyone seems to be in agreement it is the most important game of the season. When you haven’t won a domestic trophy since 1955, games like these hit differently on Tyneside.

Whether that is good news for Brentford or bad remains to be seen? They thrashed the Magpies less than a fortnight ago in West London but Newcastle have always tended to be a far tougher nut to crack on home soil and Thomas Frank’s side have not been nearly as impressive on the road this season.

On the face of things, all the pressure is on Newcastle tonight. They are expected to win and also carry the weight of a history of failures on their shoulders. Equally, though, Brentford could be overwhelmed and blown apart in the same way Leicester were last weekend.

We have not been able to predict which Newcastle will turn up for games this season but this is the ideal night and occasion for  their star names to be at their very best. Manager Eddie Howe has named an unchanged side with that in mind.

07:08 PM GMT

Brentford are up for the cup

07:03 PM GMT

Newcastle United unchanged; five tweaks for Brentford

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. No changes for Eddie Howe from their 4-0 trouncing of Leicester City at the weekend. Martin Dubravka starts in goal again, with Nick Pope out for several weeks due to a knee injury. Alexander Isak leads the line; he has scored in Newcastle’s last three matches.

In contrast, there are five changes for Thomas Frank’s Brentford. Likely playing a 3-5-2, Ben Mee comes in for Nathan Collins at the back and Kevin Schade starts up front. Ajer and Janelt come in, as the Scandinavian duo of Damsgaard and Roerslev drop to the bench. No Norgaard either. Some bold selection choices from Thomas Frank.

Newcastle United: Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes (c), Murphy, Joelinton, Isak, Gordon.

Substitutes: Odysseas, Trippier, Barnes, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Miley.

Brentford: Flekken; van den Berg, Mee, Pinnock; Ajer, Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Carvalho, Lewis-Potter; Schade, Wissa.

Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Mbeumo, Meghoma, Collins, Damsgaard, Konak, Trevitt, Roerslev, Maghoma.

Referee: Sam Barrott

06:47 PM GMT

Brentford’s starting XI

06:46 PM GMT

Newcastle United’s line-up

06:46 PM GMT

All eight quarter finalists are Premier League teams

The first time that has happened in 14 years. Not very fun if you like a few upsets or plucky underdogs, mind.

06:31 PM GMT

Newcastle and Brentford look to move one step closer to Wembley

Good evening and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live, minute-by-minute coverage of the Carabao Cup quarter-final between Newcastle United and Brentford.

The two teams will know what they are up against intricately, having played out an entertaining, goal-crammed league game in west London only 11 days ago. Brentford emerged as 4-2 winners, with in-form forwards Kevin Schade and Bryan Mbeumo both scoring.

Speaking yesterday, their manager Thomas Frank reckons this will be a totally different occasion. “We will face a team that will come flying out for a late kick-off under the lights,” he said. “They will take no prisoners and will go after us - but we are ready.”

“I’m convinced we’ll score - it’s just if we are good enough defensively,” he added.

There is nothing to choose between the pair in the Premier League, both on 23 points, Brentford occupying 11th and Newcastle United in 12th place respectively.

Brentford are renowned for their sublime home record in the league this season but it’s been a sorry story on their travels, failing to take three points yet.

They have also not beaten Newcastle away from home since 1934, making for eight winless games in a row.

Newcastle United made it to the final of the Carabao Cup in 2023, losing to Manchester United. Howe described that defeat as the most painful of his three-year tenure. It is approaching 70 years since their last domestic trophy, leading to England’s most infamous cup drought, one which threatens to weigh heavy on their current manager.

“I know how long it is in years,” Howe said. “But that puts it in a slightly different way and a different context.”

“The willingness has been there from previous teams, but we want to be the team that gets over the line and achieves something special. I’ve been very open since I got here, that I have a burning desire to win a trophy.”

There are a few quirks to note for tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final matches: firstly, there is no VAR. It won’t be used until the competition’s semi-finals and final. That could well fuel some controversy.

Secondly, there will be no extra time or replays. If the score is level at full-time, it’s straight to penalties.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm GMT. Line-ups coming along very soon. And I shall do my best to not erroneously refer to the competition as the League Cup, though it is hardwired into me.