Howe says Newcastle seeing the best of Tonali
Sandro Tonali was the star of the show as Newcastle United comfortably saw off Brentford to reach the EFL Cup semi-finals.
Eddie Howe believes Newcastle United is seeing the best of Sandro Tonali after the midfielder scored twice in a 3-1 win over Brentford.
The Italy international returned from a 10-month football ban in August and has recently found his stride in a deeper midfield position.
"It was great to see Sandro score the two that he did," Howe told BBC Sport after the routine win against a below-full-strength Brentford.
"We're starting to see the best of him. The tweak in position has definitely helped him; he is a lot more comfortable when he is deeper.
"He's showing all the qualities that we knew he had when we signed him. It is just about finding the right balance for him and the team."
Tonali, a big-money signing from Milan in July 2023, netted a long-range drive after nine minutes and volleyed in a second before half-time.
The 24 year-old registered 74 touches against Brentford and attempted 60 passes – both game-highs – completing all but four of those.
Fabian Schar tapped in a third for Newcastle that was assisted by Bruno Guimaraes before Yoane Wissa pulled one back in stoppage time.
"The midfield wins and loses you games," Howe added. "It goes without saying that it is such an important area of the pitch.
"It was good to see [Tonali], Bruno, Joelinton and Joe Willock all playing well today."
Newcastle, runner-up to Manchester United in the 2023 final, is in Friday's semi-final draw as it bids to end a 69-year wait for a major trophy.
Brentford has lost eight of its past nine away meetings with Newcastle, meanwhile, and offered very little in this latest encounter.
Thomas Frank accepts his side, competing at this stage for the third time in five seasons, was second best on the day.
"We lost on the day to a better team. We can't concede three goals. That's the bit I'm very disappointed with," he said. "We have to sort that out. In a difficult quarter-final, we can't concede three soft goals.
"Fair play to Newcastle because some were well worked. But if we want to progress to semi-finals, we need to do better."
