Newcastle manager Eddie Howe played down his Carabao Cup ambitions after his side reached the last four, insisting “we just have to focus on football.”

Newcastle, runners-up in the competition in 2023, booked their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 win over Brentford at St James’ Park on Wednesday night courtesy of a Sandro Tonali brace and a Fabian Schar goal.

Yoan Wiesa pulled one back for the visitors in second-half stoppage time but it proved little more than a consolation as a strong Newcastle side surged forward.

Winger Anthony Gordon said in the build-up that he believed the Magpies could go on to win the Cup and end a 70-year domestic trophy drought.

Newcastle are through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VSCKsKWn64

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024

And that sentiment was echoed by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who generously said he hoped Newcastle would lift the trophy after the match.

“I think they can win it. We have Liverpool, Arsenal (in the semi-finals) – we need a change. It will mean more to the Newcastle fans,” Frank said.

Howe largely scoffed at Frank’s praise, choosing instead to focus on the upcoming games.

“It’s great for Thomas but we just have to focus on football,” Howe said.

“We have some big Premier League games between us so we have to focus on that. In the blink of an eye we’ll be at Portman Road (against Ipswich on Saturday) and we’ve got to be ready for that game now.”

The Newcastle manager, however, saved some of his kind words for Tonali, whose two first-half strikes fired Howe’s side to victory.

That technique. 😮‍💨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/eZUrjxIKF6

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 18, 2024

“It was great to see Sandro score the two he scored,” added Howe.

“We’re starting to see the best of it. The jolt in position has certainly helped him, he is much more comfortable when he is deeper on the pitch.

“He is showing all the qualities we knew when we signed him. It’s just about finding the right balance for him and the team.”