What a difference a week can make in football.
Well, in Newcastle United’s case, a mere 96 hours. On Saturday, Sheffield Wednesday served up the Magpies’ customary FA Cup third-round exit.
Losing 2-1 to Darren Moore’s side landed a brutal reality check at the doorstep of every football fan living in the NE postcode. Like Cambridge United, Stevenage and Hereford before them, the Owls added their name to the list of giant-killers who have claimed Newcastle’s scalp.
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Eddie Howe described the “pain” of losing to Wednesday, an emotion Toon supporters had previously felt numb to under the former regime. However, striking back in ruthless fashion against Leicester City proved the perfect remedy to cure a cup exit.
From the first minute, United attacked the Foxes and, in the end, a 2-0 scoreline flattered Brendan Rodgers’ side. It could - and should - have been a lot more.
Booking a place in the Carabao Cup final is a feat only one Newcastle side has achieved. Gordon Lee’s 1976 troopers - featuring ChronicleLive columnist Malcolm Macdonald - were lumbering around mid-table in the old Division 1 when they came a whisker away from achieving Wembley success, losing 2-1 to Manchester City.
Almost 50 years on, the Magpies have a perfect storm brewing to replicate those heroics… and possibly go one further.
As Newcastle were knocked out of the FA Cup, their schedule is vacant when the fourth round takes place. This means United have a weekend off sandwiched between their two semi-final fixtures.
By contrast, opponents Southampton face Blackpool while Howe and Co chill in the ice bath. Newcastle have a week to focus on the Saints and book a long-awaited trip to Wembley.
The stars appear aligned for the Magpies to advance. Thunderous roars could be heard across living rooms and pubs when Southampton - the lowest-ranked team left in the competition - were drawn as the opponents.
The team sitting rock bottom of the Premier League is all that stands in Newcastle’s way of reaching a first cup final since 1999. Maybe, just maybe, that 68-year domestic curse is about to be lifted…
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