Eddie Howe would have taken this – defeat by Chelsea ‘A’ on Sunday followed by victory over Chelsea ‘B’ three days later, and neither he nor supporters will care about the nature of the shadow team in opposition.
Given this campaign marks 70 years since Newcastle’s last domestic trophy, a Carabao Cup quarter-final is worth more than three Premier League points.
Even before a ball was kicked this felt like a season-shaping night for Howe and his players, who are five without a win in the league. In sliding to 12th position, a cup exit here would have taken with it a sense of enthusiasm for the weeks and months ahead. This, rather, will generate a momentum that had stalled of late.
Chelsea’s team-sheet – 11 changes from the win at Stamford Bridge – was advantage Newcastle, especially as it removed Cole Palmer, their weekend tormentor. Even so, Enzo Maresca’s reserves were still to be beaten this season. Until now, at least.
And how the home win was deserved after a performance of high energy on an occasion of such high stakes.
Joe Willock (right) celebreates Newcastle’s second goal courtesy of Man City’s Axel Disasi
Alexander Isak scored Newcastle’s opening goal against Chelsea at St James’ Park
Eddie Howe’s Magpies have now reached the Carabao Cup quarter finals
Howe’s substitution of Sandro Tonali was booed during Sunday’s 2-1 loss, but with the Italian running this game from a new central position in midfield and his manager cannily withdrawing him in 92nd minute, the pair were duly serenaded by the Gallowgate End on full-time.
St James’ Park always rallies for nights like this, when the noise around the club is converted to a racket in the stands.
Anthony Gordon plugged in the amplifier inside 30 seconds when he slid to block an attempted Marc Cucurella clearance, lifting a section of the East Stand from their seats.
Rarely has a throw-in conceded felt so motivational. It set the tone for a first half that was everything Newcastle wanted and needed it to be.
Yes, Chelsea missed two glorious chances when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fluffed a one-on-one and Tonali diverted a Renato Veiga blast wide of the post, but Newcastle played as if their season depended on it.
It was no surprise when their opening goal on 23 minutes came from an aggressive press inside Chelsea’s penalty area.
Tonali made the final challenge that doubled as an assist – his first for the club – and Alexander Isak finished from close range.
Three minutes later and it was 2-0. Isak’s cross was helped on by the head of Joe Willock and Axel Disasi bundled over the line after getting himself in a tangle.
Disasi was one of the alternative names put to Howe in the summer as the pursuit of Marc Guehi ran into trouble.
Club chiefs told the reluctant manager he could be valuable this season. Turns out they were right.
Lloyd Kelly was the one defender who did arrive on Tyneside and he certainly fared better than Disasi. Twice, at 2-0, he made last-ditch interventions to deny goals that would have made for a nervy St James’.
Gradually, Maresca started turning to the ‘A’ team. First on was Noni Madueke, and only a sliding Fabian Schar prevented him from scampering clear on goal almost immediately.
Madueke then went very close to winning a penalty after a clumsy challenge from England team-mate Gordon. No VAR, no joy.
Enzo Maresca’s ‘B’ team failed to impress and rarely looked like a threat to Newcastle’s goal
It was the second time this fixture was played within a week, with both teams winning one each
Chelsea set up camp in Newcastle territory during the closing half hour but, without Palmer, never did Newcastle’s two-goal deficit feel in any danger.
It leaves the Magpies two games from Wembley and, given they came into this tie one game from a potential crisis, there is no under-estimating the significance of this outcome, even if it was against Chelsea’s understudies.
