Newcastle, Feb 1 (BNA): Newcastle United are heading into their first cup final this century in a season that could also end up qualifying for the Champions League.
Newcastle beat Southampton 2-1 – despite a late red card for midfielder Bruno Guimarães – to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory in their League Cup semi-final, to the excitement of the success-hungry north-east side’s fans waving black scarves. And white while he sings about going to Wembley.
The final takes place at the English football stadium on February 26, and Newcastle are likely to face Manchester United, who lead 3-0 from last week’s first leg at Nottingham Forest. The rematch is played on Wednesday.
Newcastle can expect many more colorful days over the next few years now that they have one of the richest football owners in the world.
High-profile signings are sure to come, especially if Newcastle finish out of the top four in the Premier League – they are currently in third place – to enter the lucrative Champions League.
Before that comes the first League Cup final since 1976, and the first trip to Wembley since the FA Cup final against Man United in 1999.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said, “You want to be in the finals of competitions to increase your prestige and make yourself more desirable to join him”. “This is a club on the rise.”
The player who propelled Newcastle to the final Tuesday was a homegrown.
Sean Longstaff, the 25-year-old midfielder from nearby North Shields, scored in the fifth and twenty-first minutes at a vibrant St James’ Park to put Newcastle ahead 3-0 on aggregate, based on Jolinton’s goal in the first leg at Southampton. last week.
Longstaff drove home an angled shot for the first goal and then finished off a flowing team move that included Joelinton, Joe Willock, and Miguel Almiron for an excellent second.
“The place was buzzing and the energy they gave off was unbelievable,” Longstaff said of the Newcastle fans. “They stuck with us through thick and thin and when times weren’t great and it was just so bleak. I’m so happy for them.”
Che Adams pulled one back for the south coast visitors on the 29th, only the second goal Newcastle have conceded in all competitions since November 6.
But the pressure of the second half failed to score another goal for Southampton, who eliminated Manchester City in the quarter-finals.
Guimaraes was sent off in the 82nd minute for hitting Southampton substitute Samuel Edouzi in the lower leg. The yellow card award to the Brazil international was changed to red after the referee saw the incident on the pitch screen.
Guimaraes will miss Newcastle’s next three matches – all in the Premier League – but will be available for the final.
Newcastle head into next month’s final looking to win their first major trophy since the FA Cup in 1955.
Blackburn offers
In the FA Cup, Blackburn beat fellow Second Division Birmingham 1–0 in a fourth round replay to set up a round of 16 match against Leicester.
Birmingham defender Auston Trosti scored an own goal in the first half of extra time.