Newcastle United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur result - Holders brush Spurs aside to advance to Carabao Cup quarter-finals

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle remain in the hunt to retain their Carabao Cup title after overpowering Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at St James’ Park in a hard-fought clash on Wednesday evening.

The Magpies were the better side on the night, especially dominating in the early stages, and took the lead when Fabian Schär directed in an excellent header from a corner.

Spurs protested to the referee after going behind, with Djed Spence not given time to take up his defensive possession in the heart of the Spurs box after putting his boot back on, which had been dislodged in the challenge that led to the corner.

But there was no cause for complaint with Newcastle’s second goal after the break, as the impressive Nick Woltemade headed in a looping cross from Joe Willock, aided by some flappy goalkeeping from Antonin Kinsky in the Tottenham goal.

Tottenham pushed hard to get back into the game, but lacked fluency in the final third and were unable to spark a comeback, much to the joy of an increasingly jubilant Toon Army.

Newcastle’s title defence continues into the quarter-finals, with the Magpies looking increasingly strong, while an injury-hit Spurs (who had 11 first-team squad players unavailable this evening) will lick their wounds and focus on other competitions.

You can watch both of these clubs live on TNT Sports in the upcoming weeks. Spurs host Copenhagen next Tuesday in the Champions League, with Newcastle playing Athletic Club the next night, with both of those games live on TNT and discovery+. And then in ten days’ time there’s a fascinating Premier League kick-off on the channel as Tottenham host Manchester United in the Saturday lunchtime match, again live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Tonight was a professional job from Newcastle, punishing Spurs from a set-piece in the first-half and then making the most of an error of judgement from the visiting goalkeeper for the second to win the game. But while the goals were one thing, Newcastle looked really good in patches, with Nick Woltemade linking everything together in the final third while he was on the pitch, and the majestic Sandro Tonali running the show in midfield. This Newcastle side are solid at the back, have bags of quality in midfield, and possess an array of attacking weapons… they’re a serious proposition and are rightly among the favourites for this competition.

The final whistle goes and Newcastle are through to the quarter-finals of the competition that they won last spring. It wasn’t pretty at times and they had to work for it, but the Magpies won’t mind. Their chances of retaining the title stay very much alive.

Kudus jinks into space on the right and lofts in a cross, but it’s comfortable for Ramsdale to come and claim and the Newcastle fans cheer, knowing that the win is in the bag now.

Spurs need two goals, but they’re not really looking like scoring at the moment and it looks like even they know that the jig is up.

There will be four minutes added on and the hosts almost go 3-0 up as a long ball is aimed towards the run of Gordon, only for Kinsky to come out and sweep it out of play. Newcastle have been so solid tonight. They’ve been put under pressure for long periods, but have rarely looked like actually conceding and are going to be fitting winners of this game.

Spurs pour forward on the counter, but the move is halted when the referee gets in the way and takes the ball away from Kolo Muani with his heel. That rather sums up the relationship between Tottenham and the official tonight – not on the same page at all.

Gordon comes on for Elanga in the final few minutes.

The Toon Army are watching their team easy towards the next round and are delighting in every moment as the clock ticks towards full-time. There are vociferous claims for a second yellow as Kudus is adjudged to have fouled Elanga in midfield, but it’s a soft decision and the ref immediately waves away the protests to say there will be no further punishment.

Joelinton fouls Kudus on the break and then prevents the Spurs man from getting to his feet, sparking a melee. Both players are booked.

Spurs have had more attempts, more attempts on target and more possession in this game. But that doesn’t really tell the story. Newcastle have been the better side and look very comfortable right now.

Trippier hacks down Tel and, after quite a long pause for thought, is booked by the ref.

Eddie Howe is looking to get this wrapped up and turns to more of his big guns. Ramsey is replaced by Guimarães.

Tel replaces Richarlison for the conclusion of this game, with Spurs in need of a late comeback to stay in this competition.

Porro sends a cross deep towards Richarlison, who does well to get his head on it, but has to generate a lot on it to trouble the keeper and it’s a comfortable stop for Ramsdale.

The triple sub has tipped the balance of play in Newcastle’s favour – they’ve been dominant since the changes and are pushing for a third goal that will surely wrap this game up.

Elanga volleys the ball across goal and it strikes the covering Danso on the side of the head, deflecting just wide of his own goal.

The hosts make a triple change with an eye on closing this one out and keeping their title defence going into the next round. Trippier, Osula and Joelinton replace Krafth, the excellent Woltemade and Willock.

An early cross into the box is met by Richarlison, who turns a clever effort on target and Ramsdale makes the save. The hosts go straight back up the other end and earn themselves a corner.