Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has played down his ambitions after his side reached the last four of the Carabao Cup, saying “we have to focus on the football”.
Newcastle, runners-up in the 2023 competition, booked their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 win over Brentford at St James' Park on Wednesday night.
Yoane Wissa pulled the visitors back a goal in second-half stoppage time, but that proved little more than a consolation as a strong Newcastle side progressed.
Winger Anthony Gordon has said in the build-up he is confident the Magpies can go on to win the trophy and end their 70-year domestic trophy drought.
Newcastle reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VSCKsKWn64
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18 2024
That sentiment was echoed by Brantford boss Thomas Frank, who enthusiastically said after the game that he hoped Newcastle would lift the trophy.
“I think they will win. We have Liverpool, There is Arsenal (in the semi-finals); We need a change. It means more to the Newcastle fans too,” Frank said.
Howe largely shrugged off Frank's praise, choosing to focus on the next few games.
“It's good for Thomas but we have to focus on football,” Howe said.
“We have big Premier League games between us so we have to focus on them. In the blink of an eye we'll be at Portman Road (against Ipswich on Saturday) and we'll be ready for that game now.”
But the Newcastle boss reserved some of his kind words for Tonali, whose two first-half goals put Howe's side on course for victory.
That technology. 😮💨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/eZUrjxIKF6
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 18 2024
“It was great to see Sandro score the two goals he did,” added Howe.
“We're seeing the best of him. The position definitely helps him, he's more comfortable when he's deeper in the pitch.
“He is showing all the qualities we knew when we signed him. It's about finding the right balance for him and the team.”