Howe delighted to face Spurs in their own game as set goal allows Newcastle to progress, Frank slams referee
Eddie Howe was delighted to see Newcastle become the latest team to use their set-piece threat as they won 2-0 against Tottenham to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
While Spurs are one of several teams to have made their dominance of dead ball situations pay this season, including against Everton at the weekend, the Magpies showed a threat of their own as Fabian Schar rose highest to open the scoring at St James' Park.
Nick Woltemade also used his height to beat Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for the decisive second goal after the break and Toon boss Howe insisted it was something they had worked on before that fourth round tie.
He told Sky Sports: “[It’s] something we have been working very hard on lately in our game and I think we have the height and power to cause problems for teams.
“It's great to see a great delivery from Sandro [Tonali] and that of Fabien [Schar] the header was first class.
“He always had a goal in him, he always had that creative side to his game and it was a big moment for him.”
Howe 'satisfied' after eight changes
Holders Newcastle are looking formidable in this competition, but it was the hosts who made the most changes to their XI before kick-off – eight to Spurs' four – but were comfortable enough to overtake their Premier League opponents.
Howe added: “Really happy because I think when you make the changes that we made, you hope to see a performance consistent with who we are and what we expect.
“I found that the pressing at the start of the match and the general attitude of the players was very good.
“I think with the way we work, we like to think that whatever changes we make will deliver a performance for Newcastle that meets our expectations.
“It's very important that our attitude is good from the first minute and the will to win which you need and which we had. Individually I think there were very good performances, collectively we were strong.”
Next up for Newcastle in their bid to reach a third Carabao Cup final in four years is Fulham in the quarter-finals after the draw for last eight was made after kick-off.
Frank criticizes referee before Newcastle opener
Spurs manager Thomas Frank was disappointed to see his side miss a chance to win more silverware and expressed his problems with the build-up to the Magpies' opening match – which saw referee Chris Kavanagh allow play to start while Djed Spence was adjusting his boots.
He told BBC 5 live: “Always disappointing to lose, always disappointing to come out of the tournament we would like to progress in.
“Small margins decided the game tonight – it was a very balanced game with chances and situations in both areas. Both goals were also small margins where there were two errors.
“A [mistake] unfortunately to [referee] Chris Kavanagh, in terms of things you have to give. Djed Spence had his boots off – he needed time to tie his boots and he didn't.
“His marker, Schar, scored. I talked to Chris about it, and we'll keep this between Chris and I.”
2025-10-29 22:59:00
