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Lee Ryder

Newcastle United smash League Cup hoodoo with deserved win to keep Wembley dream alive

Newcastle United made history by reaching the League Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1976 and ended their last four hoodoo in this competition.

The old Wembley chants cascaded down from the Gallowgate End as the seconds ticked down at St James' Park but this time, for the first time since the mid-noughties, there seems genuine cause for excitement. Could Geordie fans be walking down Wembley way again for a big cup occasion for the first time since the year 2000 on February 26?

Well, the dream is still alive. But only after a nervous first hour on Tyneside in which the black and white masses headed and kicked every ball!

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It is the last eight stage that usually ends up being the final stop on the cup journey for the Magpies after seven straight defeats in the quarter-finals - but not this time. This time there was a new chapter in Geordie folklore and it was provided by a lad from Blyth and a terrace favourite from Brazil!

Having apologised for his team selection in the FA Cup at Sheffield Wednesday, Eddie Howe named a strong line-up to face the struggling Foxes. Those memories of a tough cup night in South Yorkshire seem distant now though.

There was still no place for Allan Saint-Maximin in the team and Alexander Isak was only named on the bench but Newcastle didn't need to rely on the bench here.

With a sold out crowd charged up for the big occasion, as Newcastle aimed to reach their first League Cup semi-final since 1976, they were handed an early chance to snatch the lead. Miguel Almiron's driving run from deep saw him find Joe Willock on the left with the midfielder's cross finding Sean Longstaff at the back post but the Academy product's effort hit the ground and bounced over with just 50 seconds played.

Moments later, Bruno Guimaraes struck one from distance but the ball swerved wide of the post at the Leazes End. Almiron got in on the act again on six minutes with a fine run and neat pass for Callum Wilson but his effort was deflected wide.

The Paraguay star then won a corner with 10 minutes on the clock after another attack down the right-hand side. But the set-play was easily cleared by Leicester and then Almiron's air shot on the edge of the area allowed the Foxes to reorganise.

Leicester forced a shot on target with 14 minutes gone when old boy Ayoze Perez struck one with venom but it was gathered by Nick Pope. Another long range shot from Bruno quickly followed and while it was closer than his initial try it was still a few inches wide with Danny Ward's water bottle skittling into an advertising hoarding.

A Newcastle free-kick on 19 minutes saw Kieran Trippier curl the ball in right-footed from the left-hand side of the field before a chance dropped for Longstaff again. This time though Wales international Ward palmed the shot away from danger for a corner.

It broke loose again after a Trippier cross on 21 minutes with Bruno heading at goal. The ball bounced off Wout Faes and the awkward pace of the ball beat Longstaff to the rebound.

There was a big chance for Leicester when Timothy Castagne burst down the right and after hugging the touchline crossed into the box but tried to pick out Patson Daka. But Trippier was back in time to clear the danger and the moment was gone for the visitors.

A Youri Tielemans shot was deflected over on 33 minutes as Leicester got into the game. The Belgium star then whipped a cross in from the left with the ball deflected wide for a corner.

After Willock won a corner the ball bobbled around in the penalty area but eventually, Leicester cleared. As Daka tried to race clear he was fouled by Longstaff who was booked for his trouble. Another Bruno chance was saved well by Ward before the break but the two sides went in level at half-time.

Both Longstaff and Burn picked up yellow cards in the first half and went into the second 45 minutes on the disciplinary tightrope. The second half started with Joelinton firing an effort at the back post but the ball took a deflection and bounced off the post.

A Tielemans effort bounced off a Toon defender and went out for a corner with 50 minutes gone. Bruno won a free-kick three minutes later with Trippier curling the ball in but Burn headed over.

On Newcastle's next attack Wilson's cross found Longstaff and taking a clever touch his effort was pushed wide again by Ward. With Leicester starting to wobble a bit the pressure eventually told.

And it was a moment that Burn has been dreaming of his whole life - a goal he'd probably scored 100 times or more in the playground or his local park as a kid. Willock held the ball up in the corner before Joelinton helped the ball on to Burn who patiently waited for the right moment and slotted it past Ward.

The big Geordie then made his way to the far corner and slid in on his knees as he broke the deadlock. Leicester's response to the Burn goal was to make a double change.

Daka came off and was replaced by Jamie Vardy while Kelechi Iheanacho replaced Luke Thomas. With 20 minutes left a tame Almiron shot was gathered by Ward and there was a shout for a penalty as Wilson was pushed in the back.

With 18 minutes to go, however, the tension was eased significantly as Almiron threaded a pass into Joelinton's path and the Brazilian fired home. Both Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall celebrated wildly as St James' Park erupted.

Yet Leicester were twice presented with golden chances in front of goal with Vardy handed two opportunities to reduce arrears. But he managed to blow both of them and the magical two-goal cushion remained for Newcastle.

A Willock shot whistled wide of the post at the Gallowgate End with seven minutes left before Howe made another change. This time Almiron - who had ran his socks off all night - was replaced by Allan Saint-Maximin.

Jacob Murphy was introduced for the final throes of the match for Willock. And after five minutes of added time it was confirmed, the Magpies are in the hat for last four.

And for the packed St James' - it felt great. Bring on the semi-final draw.

Attendance: 52,009

Referee: Darren England

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