Two goals from Sando Tonali helped Newcastle to a 3-1 win over Brentford in their Carabao Cup quarter-final at St James’ Park.
The Magpies midfielder produced two fine finishes in the first half to put his team in total charge. When Fabian Schar tapped in from close range midway through the second, there was no way back for the Bees, despite Yoane Wissa’s consolation goal in stoppage-time.
Eddie Howe signalled his intent by naming an unchanged starting line-up from the one that hammered Leicester 4-0 in the Premier League on Saturday and that was reflected in a dominant display against a Brentford side that struggled to create until late on.
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Watch Sandro Tonali’s two beautiful goals for Newcastle against Brentford
Tonali stars in Newcastle win
Tonali’s first goal, drilled in from just outside the penalty box, was the Italian’s first for the club since scoring six minutes into his debut in August of last year. He did not have so long to wait for his next, a cushioned volley from a corner beating Mark Flekken.
Thomas Frank’s players could point to a possible foul off the ball but could have few real complaints on a night in which little went right from the moment Sepp van den Berg was injured in the warm-up. Ethan Pinnock also came off early with a hamstring issue.
“I have been quite vocal about the fact that I don’t think we had the optimal schedule,” Frank had said beforehand, referring to Brentford’s game against Chelsea late on Sunday. But for Newcastle there was a sense that this was a slightly bigger priority.
Without a major domestic trophy in almost 70 years, Howe would love to end that wait. Into the last four, they have an opportunity now. And Newcastle’s improved form will offer encouragement that they are capable of booking their place at Wembley.
