- Sandro Tonali scored twice in the first half to put Newcastle in control
- Fabian Schar added a third goal for the hosts in the second half
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They’ve got two feet in a two-legged semi-final now, the next step is one hand on the trophy – after nearly 70 years of tripping over themselves in pursuit of domestic silverware, Newcastle strode into the last four of the Carabao Cup thanks to an Italian who is starting to walk the walk.
Sandro Tonali had not scored since his debut 16 months ago. Indeed, until recently, he had not looked a fit for the Premier League or this team.
But after being moved to a No.6 role by Eddie Howe, the £52million midfielder is the new No.1 with supporters. His two goals here set up a victory that moves Newcastle to within one tie of a Wembley final, and boy were they worth the wait, a pair of first-half stunners that raised the roof and the temperature of a chilly Tyneside night.
Best of all for Eddie Howe and his team, though, was the ease with which they navigated a game that had been billed as season-defining. They made it look like no big deal at all, as if the latter stages of cup competitions are their natural home. They are not, of course, and that is why they last lifted a domestic trophy in 1955.
The head coach has made no secret of the motivation of making history among his squad, especially as the long-term futures of several of their leading players are uncertain. The Carabao Cup is at the top of their list of priorities, evidenced by the naming of an unchanged, strongest XI.
Newcastle, under Howe, were beaten in the final of this competition two seasons ago, but there was too emotion around that journey. They were spent by the time they took to the field at Wembley against Manchester United. This, rather, was clinical.
Sandro Tonali was Newcastle’s hero as he scored a first-half brace against Brentford
The Italian midfielder’s first goal was a fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area
He then volleyed home from a corner after Brentford’s defenders got in each other’s way
The hosts weren’t great in the first 45 minutes – an XG of half a goal – but they didn’t have to be when a deep-lying midfielder is putting away every half chance that comes his way.
Tonali’s first, on nine minutes, came when Nathan Collins half cleared a Tino Livramento cross and the former Milan star returned it with interest from 25 yards.
Mark Flekken may have been unsighted in the Brentford goal but even with a perfect view he was not stopping it, the ball whistling through bodies and into the bottom corner.
The game drifted a little thereafter, at least until Tonali himself drifted undetected into the penalty area to meet Anthony Gordon’s corner two minutes before half-time.
He leapt from the turf to connect and, when his volley met the back of the net, those in the stands leapt from their seats. It was as good a goal as they’ve seen here all season.
The only sour note of the opening period were bookings for captain Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar and Livramento that will rule them out of the semi-final first leg.
Undeterred, Guimaraes and Schar combined for the goal that put the outcome beyond doubt in the 69th minute.
After Lewis Hall’s shot was saved by Flekken, Guimaraes stole in to chop back for Schar and he was left with a tap-in from three yards.
Fabian Schar wrapped up the win by tapping home from close range to delight the home fans
Yoane Wissa pulled back a late consolation for Brentford who exit at the quarter-final stage
They were singing about trips to Wembley after that – Yoane Wissa did nick a consolation in stoppage-time – but ‘Tell me Ma’ was only second on the hit parade to a ditty about a ‘midfield maestro from Milano’.
Because of his swagger, Newcastle are one step closer to their Holy Grail.