From Nottingham to Wembley – Newcastle’s route to the Carabao Cup final | OneFootball

Newcastle head into their second Carabao Cup final in three years on Sunday desperate to end a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how they made it to Wembley.

Second round: v Nottingham Forest (a) 1-1 (4-3 on penalties), August 28

On the night Italy international Sandro Tonali returned from his 10-month worldwide ban for betting offences, the Magpies took an early lead through Joe Willock only to be pegged back by Jota Silva’s second-half equaliser. It was left to Sean Longstaff to convert the decisive penalty in a shoot-out victory.

Third round: v AFC Wimbledon (h) 1-0, October 1

In a tie originally meant to take place at the League Two club’s Cherry Red Records Stadium a week earlier until severe flooding resulted in it being switched to St James’ Park, a much-changed Newcastle eased their way to the fourth round without ever finding top gear. Fabian Schar’s coolly-converted penalty ultimately secured their passage in front of a crowd of 51,739.

Fourth round: v Chelsea (h) 2-0, October 30

Having exited the competition at the quarter-final stage on penalties at the hands of the Blues a season earlier despite taking a 1-0 lead into the final minute of normal time, the Magpies were on a revenge mission. Three days after losing 2-1 in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, Alexander Isak’s strike and an Axel Disasi own goal inside three first-half minutes proved decisive against an entirely different Chelsea XI.

Quarter-finals: v Brentford (h) 3-1, December 18

Tonali underlined his growing influence on Eddie Howe’s team with a first-half double as Newcastle eased their way into the last four. Schar extended their advantage with 21 minutes remaining before Yoane Wissa’s late consolation strike.

Semi-finals, first leg: v Arsenal (a) 2-0, January 7

The Magpies arrived at the Emirates Stadium having won there only once in 19 previous visits, but left with one foot having been placed tentatively in the final. Isak led the way once again with an astute first-half finish, and Anthony Gordon followed up to score after the Sweden international’s shot had been saved by David Raya to send his team back to Tyneside with a significant advantage.

Semi-finals, second leg: v Arsenal (h) 2-0, February 5

The Toon Army had to wait almost a month before they got the opportunity to roar their team across the finishing line on Tyneside, but their nerves were settled by another fine display. Jacob Murphy and Gordon struck either side of half-time to put the tie beyond the Gunners 14 years to the day after the famous 4-4 league draw between the sides at St James’.