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Eddie Howe was delighted to see Newcastle become the latest team to use their set-piece threat as they beat Tottenham 2-0 to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
With Spurs one of several teams to make their dominance pay off from set pieces this season, including against Everton at the weekend, the Magpies showed a threat of their own when Fabian Schar went top to open the scoring at St James’ Park.
Nick Woltemade also used his height to get past Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for the game-sealing second goal after the break and Toon boss Howe insisted it was something they had worked on ahead of this fourth round tie.
He told Sky Sports: “(It’s) something we’ve worked really hard on lately in our game and I think we have the height and power to cause problems for teams.
“It’s great to see a great delivery from Sandro (Tonali) and the header from Fabián (Schar) was first class.
“He’s always had a goal, he’s always had that creative side to his game and it was a great moment for him.”
Howe ‘happy’ after eight changes
Reigning champions Newcastle are becoming formidable in this competition, but it was the hosts who made the most changes to their eleven before kick-off (eight to Spurs’ four), but they felt quite comfortable beating their Premier League opponents.
Howe added: “I’m very happy because I think when you make the changes that we made, you expect to see performance that is in line with our identity and our expectations.
“I think the pressure at the beginning of the game and the general attitude of the players was very good.
“I think with the way we work we like to think that whatever changes we make, Newcastle will deliver a performance in line with our expectations.
“The most important thing is that our attitude is right from minute one and the will to win that is needed and that we had. Individually I thought there were some really good performances, collectively we were strong.”
Next up for Newcastle in their bid to reach a third Carabao Cup final in four years is Fulham in the quarter-finals after the quarter-final draw was made after kick-off.
Frank criticizes referee before Newcastle’s first game
Spurs manager Thomas Frank was disappointed to see his team miss out on the chance to win more trophies and expressed his problems with the build-up to the Magpies’ first match, which saw referee Chris Kavanagh allow the game to begin while Djed Spence was downstairs adjusting his boots.
He told BBC 5 Live: “It’s always disappointing to lose, it’s always disappointing to come out of a tournament that we would love to progress through.
“Small margins decided tonight’s game; it was a very close game with opportunities and situations in both areas. The two goals were also small margins where there were two errors.
“Unfortunately, a (mistake) from (referee) Chris Kavanagh, in terms of the things you have to give. Djed Spence had his boot taken off, he needs time to lace up his boot and he didn’t do it.
“His marker, Schar, scored. I’ve spoken to Chris about it and we’ll keep it between me and Chris.”
