The Carabao Cup has a way of energising Newcastle’s seasons, but it’s the fizzy stuff at the end of it they’re addicted to now.
That is why this victory was roared home with even greater relish than the recent wins over Benfica and Fulham, completing a trilogy of home triumphs across the Champions League, Premier League and the competition for which they are holders.
Over four campaigns they have lost just once in the Carabao Cup from 19 matches, and that was defeat in the final in 2023. They corrected that in February with victory over Liverpool at Wembley.