By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
Defending champions Newcastle United comfortably defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at St James’ Park to progress to the quarter-finals, continuing their quest to retain the Carabao Cup. The victory was built on two decisive headers from centre-back Fabian Schar and German striker Nick Woltemade, with the Magpies controlling the game against a heavily rotated and underwhelming Spurs side under Thomas Frank. The result maintained Newcastle’s momentum in the competition and compounded Tottenham’s recent struggles at St. James’ Park.
The first goal came in the 24th minute from a corner, with Fabian Schar rising above the static Tottenham defense to head the ball past goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. This gave the home side the lead they deserved for their fast and confident start, playing off the energy of the raucous crowd. Schar’s goal marked his strong return to the starting eleven and set the tone for a dominant performance from the Magpies’ backline, which was rock-solid throughout the match, limiting Tottenham’s attacking opportunities.
The home side doubled their lead early in the second half, with Nick Woltemade heading home in the 50th minute following an excellent cross from Joe Willock. The goal was a soft one to concede from Tottenham’s perspective, with the keeper misjudging the cross, allowing Woltemade, who at 6ft 6in is a huge aerial threat, to loop a header into the unguarded net. Woltemade, who has been filling in for the departed Alexander Isak, was a nuisance all evening, linking play effectively and utilising his significant height advantage.
For Tottenham, the game was a disappointing outing despite manager Thomas Frank’s rotation. The changes, including giving a start to several fringe players, failed to spark a cohesive performance. While they showed glimpses of threat, particularly in the later stages of the first half, they offered too little in the final third. The loss is another setback in their overall campaign, while for Newcastle, the win was a perfect demonstration of their strength and depth as they continue to fight on multiple fronts.
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