Newcastle United have reached their first League Cup final since 1976 following a 2-1 win against Southampton in their semi-final second-leg at St James' Park.
Sean Longstaff scored two goals inside the opening 21 minutes to give Newcastle a dream start and although Southampton striker Che Adams pulled one back before the half-hour mark, the Magpies hung on - even after Bruno Guimaraes was sent off late on.
Here are five things we learned from the game as Newcastle won the tie 3-1 on aggregate.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Southampton highlights
Sean Longstaff steps up on the big occasion
It was Dan Burn who opened the scoring in Newcastle's quarter-final win against Leicester City at St James' earlier this month so it was rather fitting that it was another local lad, Sean Longstaff, who fired the goals that sent the Magpies to Wembley. The pair, after all, have repeatedly reminded their team-mates how important this competition is to supporters and they have played a crucial role in Newcastle getting to Wembley.
It was Longstaff's turn to grab the headlines on Tuesday night and there were just five minutes on the clock when the midfielder fired the ball into the far bottom corner to give Newcastle the perfect start and double the hosts' aggregate lead. To think it was Longstaff's first goal at St James' since February, 2019.
Yet Longstaff was not done yet. Longstaff popped up, once again, in the 21st minute to slot home from Miguel Almiron's cross with a smart first-time finish to take the roof off this stadium as proud brother Matty watched on from the stands.
Newcastle fans play their part once more
If Newcastle's quarter-final win against Leicester was a memorable night, after the Magpies reached the last four of the League Cup for the first time in 47 years, this was a truly special occasion.
Supporters, once again, played their part after Wor Flags appealed to fans to bring their scarves and 'get the place bouncing' before kick-off - and Geordies answered that call. A DJ set from Schak and the sight of new signings Anthony Gordon and Harrison Ashby being introduced only whipped up the fans further.
The players looked visibly moved as they walked out. They all knew what a big game this was but the scenes before kick-off will have driven it home. Nick Pope told Sky Sports that this tie this was 'something as players you dream of' while Kieran Trippier added to NUFC TV it was a 'great moment in the history of the club'. Sean Longstaff said 'to be the first team to hopefully get there would be amazing'.
Rather than being weighed down by that sense of occasion, the players embraced it and fed off the energy of the crowd and made a breakneck start. This was crucial to this win after Longstaff scored two goals inside the opening 21 minutes to settle nerves.
Newcastle were cruising, which is always dangerous, and Joe Willock's sloppy pass was soon seized upon by Che Adams just before the half-hour mark. The Southampton striker let fly from outside the area with a lethal finish to pull a goal back for the visitors. It was the first goal Newcastle had conceded at home since October.
There were one or two nervy moments to come - Nick Pope made a huge save to deny former Newcastle striker Adam Armstrong in the 72nd minute - but Newcastle supporters helped carry their side over the line. Especially after Bruno was sent off as they kept on singing.
These players can become heroes
These players have talked about doing 'something special' for several months now and they are on the cusp of becoming heroes after helping Newcastle reach the club's first League Cup final since 1976. However, now that they have booked their date at Wembley, Newcastle will be desperate to go and win the trophy and end the club's 54-year wait for silverware.
As Dan Burn has reminded them - not that they needed it - they would be 'gods' if they could bring a trophy back to Tyneside. Even the measured Eddie Howe has visualised that moment to believe it is possible.
Manchester United, barring an improbable second-leg result against Nottingham Forest, lie in wait next month. Newcastle certainly won't fear the Red Devils.
Anthony Gordon gets quite the welcome...and Newcastle have Bruno solution
Anthony Gordon may have been cup-tied, but this was still a night to remember for the new signing and fellow new arrival Harrison Ashby, who were presented to the crowd before kick-off. Gordon had previously played under the lights at St James' for Everton, but nothing could have quite prepared the 21-year-old for the welcome he received as the Gallowgate End chanted: 'Oh Anthony Gordon! Oh Anthony Gordon!' They were singing something very different on his last visit here as an opposition player with Everton, of course.
That reception will have given Gordon just a little taste and you already sense the forward will be desperate to put on the black-and-white stripes and make his debut against West Ham on Saturday. With Bruno Guimaraes suspended for the next three games, the new signing may get his chance sooner than he could have imagined and Newcastle have an obvious solution for the next three games by dropping Joelinton into midfield and either Gordon or Allan Saint-Maximin starting on the left.
An emotional night as Shelvey says goodbye
Jonjo Shelvey spent the morning finalising his move to Nottingham Forest, but the midfielder was quickly back on the AI back to Tyneside to watch his former side play and say his goodbyes. You can see why it was an emotional occasion; Shelvey had spent seven years at the club and played his part in keeping Newcastle in the top-flight for so long after the Magpies went down in 2016.
Shelvey bid farewell to supporters at half-time as he walked onto the pitch with his daughters in what was a fitting send-off. Newcastle's substitutes, who are all warming up on pitch, applauded along with Newcastle fans before they each give Jonjo Shelvey a hug as he walked off the pitch for the last time.
There are now just a handful of Championship winners still standing at the club on a night that may yet also prove a farewell of sorts for Karl Darlow, who is joining Hull City on loan until the end of the season. It remains to be seen if the goalkeeper will be part of the match day squad again.
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