Tonali stunners fire Newcastle into last four
Sandro Tonali scored two stunning goals as Newcastle United eased to a 3-1 win over Brentford at St James' Park to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The Italy international scored both of his goals in the first half of this all-Premier League tie and Fabian Schar added the third, before Yoane Wissa netted a consolation for the Bees in stoppage-time.
Tonali's first arrived after nine minutes as he fired home a first-time finish from 25 yards after Nathan Collins, who was a late addition after Sepp van den Berg was injured in the warm-up, only half-cleared a cross.
Anthony Gordon assisted the second two minutes before half-time through an outswinging corner that Tonali volleyed in, arriving unmarked from near the middle of the penalty area.
Bruno Guimaraes unselfishly teed up Schar to tap in Newcastle's third on 69 minutes, either side of Jacob Murphy and substitute Harvey Barnes striking the post, after Lewis Hall's drive was parried by Mark Flekken.
A below-full-strength Brentford, which also lost Ethan Pinnock to injury, did pull one back when substitute Bryan Mbuemo teed up Wissa in the 91st minute for what was a mere consolation.
Newcastle had won just two of its previous 11 quarter-final ties in this competition, most recently in 2022-2023 when finishing as runner-up, but it was good value for this victory.
These two sides are level on points in the Premier League, but there was a gulf in quality here, with Newcastle beating Brentford at home for the eighth time in their past nine meetings at St James' Park.
Eddie Howe's men once again have a realistic chance of ending their long wait for domestic silverware, which spans 69 years, while Brentford's own wait for a first major trophy will go on.
