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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Simon Bird

Eddie Howe's telling touchline reaction as Newcastle reach first semi-final in 18 years

Eddie Howe jumped about three feet off the ground, punched the air and roared.

Joelinton's clinching second goal sent Newcastle to their first cup semi-final in 18 years - and the St James' Park crowd, led by their head coach showed what it means.

While some clubs sniff at the Carabao Cup, Howe’s side are getting closer to ending 67 years of domestic cup misery and making some history.

They are a two-legged semi-final away from Wembley after this energetic demolition of City. Newcastle lived up to Howe's billing that this was their biggest game of the season, with a great show.

After missing 13 decent opportunities that went to waste including six good saves from Danny Ward - Newcastle grabbed two goals in six minutes after the hours

Dan Burn, 30, has been brilliant since signing 12 months ago, but this was his first goal at the club he supported as a kid. He won’t get many more important.

City were robbed of the ball near the corner, and Joelinton drilled a ball into Burn who surged into the area. His finish was cute, a calm pass into the far corner, followed by a wild celebration.

The boy from Blyth was only 12 the last time his club got this far in a cup.

Eight minutes later the Geordies finished the tie, deservedly so for the relentless positive play.

Joelinton was on target for Newcastle (Getty Images)

Callum Wilson muscled a lay-off from a throw-in, turning it around the corner to the darting Miguel Almiron, who sprayed it to marauding Joelinton.

The £40m striker, turned midfield enforcer, conjured a wonderful finish, his third of the season.

This was a rare pressure occasion for the Geordies, and they rose to the occasion. The last semi-final they reached was in April 2005, losing 4-0 to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Their last quarter-final win in the league cup was in 1976. An illustration of the history Eddie Howe and his players are trying to turn around is that in the last 15 seasons they’ve only reached four quarter-finals in both cups and lost them both.

Of course, Leicester City represent an inspiration for the Tynesiders for their unexpected rise to the top and league win, founded on clever spending and expert coaching.

But City arrived ravaged by injury, missing eight players including Boubakary Soumare and James Maddison.

Howe reversed all eight team changes which ended in FA Cup defeat on Saturday to Sheffield Wednesday, recalling Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes.

The sell-out home crowd put on an electric pre-match display of flag and scarf waving and set up a powerful star with Sean Longstaff missing a golden close-range chance after just 42 seconds. Miggy Almiron carried the ball 50 yards and slipped Joe Willock in for the pull-back.

It was 100mph stuff, with another Almiron break allowing Wilson to shoot but Daniel Amartey blocked for a corner, then Joelinton headed just wide.

Pope had a rare shot to save from ex-Toon forward Ayoze Perez, and Guimaraes rapped wide from a good chance 18 yards out. Danny Ward saved well from Longstaff, as the ball wouldn’t go in despite the pressure.

Dan Burn opened the scoring for Newcastle (Getty Images)

Patson Daka should have put City ahead but tried to square instead of shooting in the major scare for the home side. Albrighton and Tielemans both had shots blocked as Rodgers’ side responded and quietened the tie.

After 20 seconds of the restart Joelinton hit the post as the goalmouth action continued. Rarely will Newcastle have had so many chances and not scored. Dan Burn nodded a free header over and Ward again saved well from Longstaff.

Sub Jamie Vardy was unable to unlock the Toon defence in a couple of minor late scares.

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