Sandro Tonali scored twice as Newcastle United cruised to a 3-1 win over Brentford at St James' Park to reach the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.
The Italy international scored both of his goals in the first half of Wednesday's Premier League clash with Fabian Schar adding the third before Yoane Wissa provided a consolation in added time.
Tonali's first arrived after nine minutes when he fired a first-time finish from 25 yards after Nathan Collins – a late addition after Sepp van den Berg was injured in the warm-up – only half-cleared a cross.
Anthony Gordon assisted the second two minutes before half-time through a swinging corner that Tonali whipped in unmarked from the center of the penalty area.
Bruno Guimaraes unselfishly set up Schar to tap in Newcastle's third in the 69th minute – both sides of Jacob Murphy and substitute Harvey Barnes hitting the post – after Lewis Hall's drive was parried by Mark Flokken.
An under-strength Brentford, who also lost Ethan Pinnock to injury, did pull one back when substitute Bryam Mbuemo set Wissa aside in the 91st minute for what was only a consolation.
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— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 18, 2024
Data debrief: Newcastle one step away from Wembley
Newcastle had won just two of their previous 11 quarter-finals in this competition, most recently in the 2022-23 season when finishing runners-up, but they were good value for this victory.
These two sides are level on points in the Premier League but there was a difference in quality that day, with Newcastle beating Brentford at home for the eighth time in the past nine meetings at St James' Park.
Eddie Howe's men have another realistic chance to end the long wait for domestic silverware, which has spanned 69 years, while Brentford's own wait for a first major trophy will continue.
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