Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has already sent a warning to Southampton ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final after his side beat the Saints 4-1 at St Mary's in the Premier League back in November.
Goals from Miguel Almiron, Chris Wood, Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes saw the Magpies put the south coast side to the sword. It was a clinical display from Newcastle as they scored with all four of their shots on target.
Two days after the defeat, Southampton parted company with Ralph Hasenhuttl. The Saints have since appointed Nathan Jones and although his side are still languishing at the foot of the Premier League table, they enjoyed a moment of magic on Wednesday night.
Southampton upset the odds in their quarter-final clash with Manchester City as they beat Pep Guardiola's side 2-0 at St Mary's. The result means that Newcastle, Southampton, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest are the final four clubs remaining in the competition.
Dan Burn's first goal for the club and Joelinton's third strike this season saw Newcastle book their spot in the semi-finals and just two matches away from a trip to Wembley.
Southampton have lost 12 of their 18 matches in the league this campaign, including the 4-1 defeat to the Magpies. And although the result seems as if Newcastle were at their very best; Howe admitted that he was disappointed with his side's performance.
"I'm very pleased with the scoreline and the goals thought they were the highlight for us," he told BBC Sport after the game. "Our overall performance I thought was below where it's been. Recently we have played at a really high level consistently and today we just dropped below that.
"Southampton, for parts of the game, played very well. but we didn't concede we hung in there. and as I said, the goals were a highlight. I thought we were very clinical in front of goal today.
"I don't think we were particularly good with the ball. I'm not being overdramatic or critical of my players,I think they've done brilliantly again today to see that game out It's very difficult to win, home or away and we've won comfortably, but I think the lads know that performance wise it wasn't quite there today."
The comments make for grim reading for Southampton fans as Howe looks for an even better showing from his side when the two teams meet later this month. Newcastle will take confidence from the fact that they comfortably beat their semi-final opposition when not at their best, yet nothing will be taken for granted with a chance of ending a 54-year major trophy drought so close at hand.
The first-leg will be played at Saint Mary's, with Newcastle supporters getting the chance to roar their side to victory in the second and decisive leg at St James' Park at the end of January.
READ NEXT
Alexander Isak makes it clear what his best position is for Newcastle United
Reality of a Newcastle United squad never built to fight on three fronts
Alexander Isak lifts lid on 'complications' during Newcastle United injury comeback
Kieran Trippier excited by Newcastle United owners' plans for 2023
Newcastle United warn off queue of clubs wanting to take Elliot Anderson on loan
