Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea: Magpies cruise into Carabao Cup quarter-finals as Enzo Maresca’s ‘B’ team fail to impress on tough night for the Blues

Eddie Howe would have accepted this defeat to Chelsea ‘A’ on Sunday followed by a win over Chelsea ‘B’ three days later, and neither he nor the supporters will care about the nature of the shadow team in the opposition.

Considering this campaign marks 70 years since Newcastle’s last domestic trophy, a Carabao Cup quarter-final is worth more than three Premier League points.

Even before a ball was kicked, this felt like a season-defining night for Howe and his players, who are five without a win in the league. Sliding to 12th position, leaving the cup here would have brought with it a sense of excitement for the weeks and months to come. This is more likely to generate momentum that has stalled recently.

Chelsea’s squad – eleven changes from the Stamford Bridge win – favored Newcastle, especially as it removed Cole Palmer, their tormentor of the weekend. Yet Enzo Maresca’s reserves were still beatable this season. At least until now.

And how the home win was deserved after an energetic performance on an occasion where so much was at stake.

Howe’s substitution for Sandro Tonali was booed in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat, but with the Italian leading this match from a new central midfield position and his manager cleverly withdrawing him in the 92nd minute, the pair were serenaded at full volume by Gallowgate End. time.

St James’ Park is always abuzz on nights like this, when the noise around the club turns into noise in the stands.

Anthony Gordon plugged in the booster inside 30 seconds as he slid to block an attempted Marc Cucurella entry, lifting part of the East Stand from their seats.

Rarely has a conceded throw-in felt so motivating. It set the tone for a first half that was everything Newcastle wanted and needed.

Yes, Chelsea missed two glorious chances when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck a one-on-one and Tonali diverted a Renato Veiga blast wide of the post, but Newcastle played as if their season depended on it.

It was no surprise when their opening goal came after 23 minutes from an aggressive press in Chelsea’s penalty area.

Tonali made the final challenge which also doubled as an assist – his first for the club – and Alexander Isak finished from close range.

Three minutes later it was 2-0. Isak’s cross was assisted by Joe Willock’s head and Axel Disasi was bundled over the line after becoming tangled.

Disasi was one of the alternative names given to Howe in the summer when Marc Guehi’s pursuit ran into trouble.

Club chiefs told the reluctant manager he could be valuable this season. It turned out they were right.

Lloyd Kelly was the only defender to arrive on Tyneside and he certainly did better than Disasi. Twice, at 2-0, he made last-ditch interventions to deny goals that would have left a nervous St. James’ team.

Gradually, Maresca began to turn to the ‘A’ team. First up was Noni Madueke, and only a sliding Fabian Schar prevented him from running towards goal almost immediately.

Madueke then came very close to winning a penalty after a clumsy challenge from England teammate Gordon. No VAR, no joy.

Chelsea set up camp in the Newcastle area during the final half hour, but without Palmer, Newcastle’s deficit never felt in danger.

There are two games remaining for the Magpies from Wembley and considering they achieved this tie just one game after a potential crisis, the significance of this outcome cannot be understated, even if it was against Chelsea’s understudies.