What Newcastle United must do after beating Chelsea as four unlikely stars come into contention

Relief can come gushing forth like Niagara Falls and so in their moment of crisis Newcastle United received the release they craved as they powered through to the Carabao Cup last eight.

To have been clobbered twice within the space of three days by a bunch of sprightly pensioners would have been beyond cruelty. It would have felt terminal but thankfully such nightmares were banished by a display which ought to have boosted flagging confidence amongst all.

So too will an advantageous draw when mighty guns were avoided and instead United were pulled out of the bowl at home to Brentford which puts another semi-final well within their grasp. How black clouds can be blown from a miserable sky in the blink of an unbelieving eye!

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However before bugles shrill and the bunting is raised across Geordie streets let us rid ourselves of a depressing set of figures. Let us confirm the midweek defeat of Chelsea is not a temporary reprieve but a permanent turn onto Sunshine Avenue. When United are in the mood anything is possible but what awaits them, it must be admitted in the interest of reality, is a much greater test than Chelsea's shadow team of a full 11 changes - an arrogant Arsenal, Premier League runners-up in the last two seasons, who are hell bent on taking that final step to the pinnacle.

United's immediate need is is to blow up this lot of depressing but absolutely indisputable facts: no wins in five PL matches, two points out of 15, only nine PL goals scored all season in nine fixtures, 12th in the table below halfway and below Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Fulham and Bournemouth. At least now after Wednesday night the Mags return to SJP with tin hats at a defiant angle, shattered morale pieced together, and hopefully belief beating in every chest beneath the club badge.

Eddie Howe and his previously under performing players need to do much more than gain a single result of course. A burning ambition for European qualification has taken a shellacking in recent times and so the PL tide has to be turned.

Nevertheless let us be grateful. A second defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup would have poisoned the mood on Tyneside and left everyone staring down the barrel of a gun especially as cynics would have insisted it was against our visitors reserve side. What we had instead was a thoroughly professional performance _ a first-half when the double thrust of the dagger did the damage and a second-half of game management.

So what have we now got? Arsenal need to step on the gas to rein in champs Man City and Liverpool. Newcastle need to put their foot to the floor because they are currently residing amongst the also-rans and defeat would mean a rapid return to uncertainty and even depression.

That highlights a desperate need across the board for both clubs. Who will step up and make their mark?

Howe has some big decisions to make. Who gets the nod of approval to start? Lloyd Kelly defended magnificently at centre back producing two huge blocks, birthday boy Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock balanced midfield with Sandro Tonali looking much more comfortable in the centre of a three, and Emil Krafth did what he does best - bring a calmness and honesty to his position without any frills which is what is needed against attacking opposition and Arsenal will definitely be that again. Did any of them do enough to claim pole? Put another way have more esteemed names in the previous matches done sufficient to be untouchable? Eddie won't gamble on all four so who will be lucky?

Arsenal have struggled with a growing injury problem which all Geordies will hope United can take advantage of though there are no guarantees. While Bukayo Saka unexpectedly rose from his bed of nails to score a wonder goal in the top of the table clash with Liverpool skipper Martin Odegaard remains a long term absentee while their defence has been hard hit. Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both out with knee problems, Kieran Tierney is sidelined due to a hamstring, and Oleksandr Zinchenko injured his calf on international duty last month and though he has been on the bench for the past three PL games he has not played in any of them.

Their other goalscorer Mikel Merino, who himself has just returned from injury, used to play up here of course and will be making a sentimental return to SJP. I don't want to be too harsh but let us hope it is not a perfect one!

Mikel Arteta has admitted publicly that he likes to indulge in mind games _ now there's a surprise _ by covering up the true extent of injuries which is how Saka's return was such a surprise and therefore his impact that much more spectacular.

United cannot afford to be conned but then again on further examination Howe holds pre-match press conferences in which he manages to steadfastly perch on the fence without every falling off. He tells all precisely nothing. So two can play at that game.

After being in the firing line of the Gunners the run up to Christmas provides a much better opportunity for steady points gathering with the only truly difficult game at home to Liverpool.

The fixture list reads thus: Nottingham Forest (a), West Ham (h), Crystal Palace (a), Liverpool (h), Brentford (a), Leicester (h) and Ipswich (a). Of course advantage has to be taken which also means avoiding defeat to Arsenal.

United then have to attempt to enjoy a merry Christmas against big odds starting with Aston Villa at home on Boxing Day before moving on to Manchester United away and Spurs away. Who sang It's Now Or Never? Eddie Howe?