EDDIE HOWE is hardly known for his manic goal celebrations.
But when Joelinton calmly stuck the ball past Danny Ward for the second, to put Newcastle into their first League Cup semi-final since 1976, the Toon boss could no longer contain himself.
With most of the 52009 crowd celebrating wildly, Howe screamed, punched the air and shouted some more towards the supporters.
Because for Howe, like everyone at this club, this was one hell of a big moment.
For the Newcastle coach, it was a major release of pressure just 72 hours after his team had been knocked out of the FA Cup by League One side Sheffield Wednesday.
Howe and his team deserved this. Just when it seemed as though Newcastle were going to shoot themselves in the foot after total domination – with outstanding Leicester keeper Danny Ward making six saves – defender Dan Burn scored his first Newcastle goal on the hour.
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And then Joelinton sealed the tie which, incredibly, will be Newcastle’s first appearance in any semi-final since the FA Cup 18 years ago.
Tantalisingly, Newcastle are step further towards winning their first domestic trophy since 1955.
They went all the way to the League Cup final in 1976 before losing to Manchester City in the final.
But now, with this team that Howe is piecing together, there is no reason why Newcastle cannot go all the way and finally get their hands on a trophy. What a story that would be.
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It would be also ironic – and a testament to Howe’s ability as a manager – if Newcastle won a trophy before they were able to truly flex their financial muscles thanks to their Saudi Arabian owners.
Yes, Howe has spent £210million. But most of it has been spent well, like the £13million dished out to Brighton a year ago for Burn.
Although a defender, he finished like a striker just when Newcastle needed it. Comically, it seemed as though it was going to be another one of those nights when the Toon were their own worst enemies even though they were so much beter than Leicester.
At the King Power on Boxing Day, Newcastle burst out of the blocks and were 3-0 up within 32 minutes and there could easily have been a repeat here. Theft should have been out of sight by half-time.
Newcastle were much stronger although in fairness to Leicester, they were again without eight injured players including James Maddison, a player that – unsurprisingly – they miss terribly.
As for Eddie Howe’s team, only Sean Longstaff and Joelinton remained from the starting XI at Hillsborough.
And Longstaff should have put his team ahead after 42 seconds but, somehow, missed when he thumped Chris Willock’s cross into turf and it bounced over the bar.
Miguel Almiron caused all sorts of problems down the right. He started that early move with a terrific run down the right and the Paraguayan then scampered past Wout Faes to create a chance for Callum Wilson but his shot was deflected wide by Daniel Amartey.
Bruno Guimaraes had a couple of decent chances but missed both. He should have done better, certainly with the second one after Willock embarrassed Timothy Castagne with his pace.
Longstaff had another two chances but Ward saved Leicester on both occasions. And there were more heroics from Ward, as he saved from both Almiron and Guimaraes
Leicester barely threatened and when former Newcastle striker Ayoze Perez managed a shot it was an easy one for Nick Pope to save.
Incredibly, Newcastle should have scored just 20 seconds into the second half. Joelinton was left grimacing in his frustration when his shot was tipped onto the post by Ward.
Burn should have done much better with a free header but wasted the chance and Longstaff forced another save from Ward.
Joelinton had a shot saved and it seemed as though the ball would simply not go in.
But finally, there was no saving Ward or his Leicester team. Joelinton played a neat ball to Burn, he had too much strength for Castagne and then threaded a shot then legs of Amartey and finally, past Ward.
Rodgers made his subs, brought on Jamie Vardy, and you were expecting a nervous end for Newcastle but instead they went for the jugular.
Almiron played a brilliant pass beyond Marc Albrighton and Joelinton, cool as you like, dispatched the shot past Ward for the goal which caused one huge roar and the shy-and-retiring Howe could not contain himself.
So, a two-legged semi-final for Newcastle to look forward to.
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As for Leicester, they now go to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the club their fans dislike the least. After three successive Premier League losses, Rodgers needs another decent result.
Because while this was a great night for Howe, it was a really bad one for a beleaguered Rodgers.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
