Newcastle United have reached a second Carabao Cup semi-final in three years following a 3-1 win against Brentford at St James' Park.

A superb double from Sandro Tonali put Newcastle in firm command at half-time before Fabian Schar added the gloss from close range in the 69th minute. Yoane Wissa pulled one back late on after being set up by Bryan Mbeumo.

Here are five things we learned from the game.

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Sandro Tonali lights up quarter-final

What's that saying about goals? You wait 494 days to score another one for Newcastle and two come at once? This was certainly a night to remember for Sandro Tonali, who did not need long to leave his mark in this quarter-final.

There were just nine minutes on the clock when Tino Livramento embarked on a driving run down the right before pulling the ball across the box. Nathan Collins, a late addition to the Brentford starting line-up, could only clear as far as the lurking Tonali just outside the box. Tonali did not even need a touch; the Italy international let fly from 20 yards with a daisy cutter that left goalkeeper Mark Flekken with no chance.

It was Tonali's first goal for Newcastle since he scored in front of that same end - the Leazes - on his debut in August, 2023 and the midfielder was not done yet. The Italy international doubled the hosts' advantage just before half-time as a set-piece routine from the training ground paid dividends.

Anthony Gordon floated the ball into the box and Joelinton blocked off Yoane Wissa, dragging the Brentford star away, which enabled Tonali to have a free run at it. Tonali caught the ball sweetly on the volley to put Newcastle in command going into the break. They never looked back.

To think a report in Italy last week claimed that Tonali was 'tired of this situation'. Not by the manner in which he celebrated this double.

Dominant Newcastle set tone from off

Thomas Frank knew what was coming. "They will come flying out for a late kick-off under the floodlights," the Brentford boss predicted. "They will take no prisoners and they will go after us."

The Dane was not wrong. Newcastle needed no reminding that they could not merely turn up against Brentford. This was a side who thumped Newcastle 4-2 in the Premier League little more than a week-and-a-half ago.

No wonder Howe named an unchanged side from the XI that hammered Leicester City at the weekend. Not only did that show how serious Howe was taking the game; it also gave these players the chance to prove they could actually back results up.

After all, the one constant about this season has been Newcastle's inconsistency - raising their game against the top sides but too often falling short when the onus is on them - but the group knew the stakes of this game. Having had an extra day to recover and prepare, compared to Brentford, who made five changes, Newcastle did not let the Bees settle early doors.

A slide tackle from Sandro Tonali sent Kevin Schade flying early on while Anthony Gordon chased down Kristoffer Ajer to win Newcastle a throw-in in a dangerous position just a minute before Newcastle opened the scoring. Newcastle pushed for a second - Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon fired over in quick succession - before Tonali made it 2-0 but the hosts were not content with that cushion.

Murphy hit the post before half-time; Isak fired over in the 50th minute following a clever corner kick routine; and Gordon fired just wide before the hour mark. Newcastle finally scored a third in the 68th minute when Lewis Hall's shot was parried by Mark Flekken as far as Bruno Guimaraes, who unselfishly squared the ball to Fabian Schar to tap home.

Newcastle continued to push for more goals - at one point players were repeatedly urged to shoot on sight by a buoyant crowd - and substitute Harvey Barnes struck the post with a long-range effort late on before Yoane Wissa pulled one back for the visitors in the 90th minute.

Geordies dream of Wembley return

Eddie Howe hoped that St James' would be 'red hot'. In his programme notes, Dan Burn reiterated to supporters that 'when you're loud and lively and pushing us on, we play better'. Wor Flags appealed to fans to create an atmosphere 'to suit' the occasion. There was a reason why captain Bruno Guimaraes vowed 'we can do this' at St James' with the 'fans behind us'.

Home advantage played its part when Newcastle last reached the last four of this competition - who could forget that quarter-final win against Leicester City in 2022? - and it did so again on Wednesday night. In truth, this proved a rather straightforward night, against a side who had picked up just a point on the road in the Premier League this season, and Howe was even able to take off Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak in one full swoop around a quarter of an hour before full-time.

By that stage, Geordies felt emboldened enough to repeatedly sing 'Tell me ma, me ma. I won't be home for tea' as well as "We're Newcastle and we're going to win the cup!"

No big speeches needed

No Churchillian speeches were needed. Players and staff alike knew what was at stake. This was the chance to move one step closer - and they did so with minimal fuss in the end.

"The willingness has been there from previous teams," Howe said as his side look to end a 69-year wait to win a domestic trophy. "But we want to be the team that gets over the line and achieves something special."

Howe has become the first Newcastle manager since Sir Bobby Robson to reach two semi-finals and there may not be a fanbase, group of players or staff left in this competition who want it more. Brentford boss Thomas Frank even sportingly said he thought Newcastle had 'got the team to win something'.

A two-legged semi-final awaits on January 8 and February 5. It is crucial Newcastle go into those games with a run of consistent results but the black-and-whites have produced their best displays this season against the big hitters. They certainly won't need any added motivation against Arsenal, Liverpool or Spurs/Manchester United with a place in the final up for grabs.

Joelinton rages at Nathan Collins but Newcastle hit by double suspension blow

Where do you start? First Nathan Collins caught Joelinton with an elbow as they jumped for a header from a corner kick. Then Collins' feet landed on the floored Joelinton's head as Brentford defender jumped for the ball once again. Joelinton was left with a bloody mouth and a bloody ear, and got to his feet to give Collins a piece of his mind before receiving treatment.

It was a sign of things to come. Joelinton would go down again just before half-time and it was not a huge surprise to see the midfielder replaced by Joe Willock at the break.

Although Collins escaped punishment, Newcastle were left counting the cost of a couple of bookings after both Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar were yellow carded in the first half. The pair, as a result, will be ruled out for the first leg of the semi-final after their second caution in the cup this season.