A pair of headers from Fabian Schar and Nick Woltemade sent holders Newcastle United into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Tottenham.
Spurs have hurt a number of sides with their aerial ability this season, particularly at set-plays, but the much-changed hosts gave Thomas Frank’s team a taste of their own medicine at St James’ Park.
Newcastle took the lead midway through the first half when Schar easily rose above Lucas Bergvall to head them in front from Sandro Tonali’s corner.
Spurs players protested to referee Chris Kavanagh as Tonali took the corner just as defender Djed Spence got to his feet after putting his boot back on, but the goal stood.
Woltemade doubled his side’s lead with his sixth goal of the season after the German met Joe Willock’s scooped cross and nodded past goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who missed the ball completely.
Spurs went close to immediately pulling one back when midfielder Pape Sarr’s first-time effort forced Aaron Ramsdale into a flying save to his left.
But Newcastle saw the game out to reach the last eight of the competition for the fourth consecutive season.
Newcastle analysis: Geordies dream of further Wembley glory
The fourth round has traditionally been a graveyard for the Carabao Cup holders in recent years.
Manchester City were dumped out at this stage in 2021, while Liverpool and Manchester United followed in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
But Newcastle never looked like joining them on Wednesday night.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes talked about “creating history” once again by defending the trophy, and although head coach Eddie Howe made eight changes, those who came into the team clearly got the message.
There was a blend of six survivors from the side that ended Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy last season alongside five of the club’s summer signings.
And it worked.
By the time German forward Woltemade made it 2-0, the home support were already singing – and dreaming – about a Wembley return in the March showpiece.
Newcastle have a lot of work to do to reach a third successive final, but Geordies – and their fans – still clearly believe.
What next for these teams?
Newcastle travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, 2 November (14:00 GMT), before welcoming Athletic Club to St James’ Park in the Champions League on Wednesday, 5 November (20:00 GMT).
Spurs host Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, 1 November (17:30 GMT), and stay on home soil to play Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday, 4 November (20:00 GMT).
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