It had been a nervy few days leading into the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. Not many clubs can hold a 2-0 lead from the first tie and still be surrounded by negative thoughts.

This is Newcastle United, however. No domestic trophy in 70 years can do that to a fanbase. Couple that with two poor home defeats in their last two games at St James’ Park, and a difficult transfer window that saw them lose two players and sign nobody, and it created an uncomfortable build-up.

The days leading into the game was not just dominated by transfer window fall-out but for Newcastle it had seen talk of a new stadium ramp up once more. Reports that PiF were leaning towards plumping for a new £1.2bn super stadium partly on the existing site but mainly across Leazes Park had caused huge debate among matchgoers and fans in general.

Chronicle Live understands that a decision has yet to be made, with United’s owners still weighing up their options and working towards a Spring timeline, but what will have to be taken into account is the love, passion and feeling for St James’ Park.

The atmosphere last night was incredible, crackling from before kick-off when Sam Fender’s saxophonist Jonny Blue Hat belted out Local Hero. Can we have him at Wembley too please?

The Toon Army had been asked to bring the noise, and they delivered. Every tackle was cheered like a last-minute winner; every throw-in was met with a mighty roar. It was hostile, belligerent, intimidating. Newcastle fed off that - or was it that the crowd fed off the players? Either way, it felt entwined.

If Newcastle are to move stadium, PiF need to find a way of bottling these types of nights and these types of atmospheres. Nothing beats St James’ on occasions like this.

Eddie Howe's worried little glance

It was a much deserved win, no doubt, but it didn’t come without some anxiety. And you need some luck. Martin Odegaard hit the post at one end and the ball flies out for a goal kick. Just 53 seconds later, the woodwork has been struck twice again, but Alexander Isak’s effort rebounded into the path of Jacob Murphy who squeezed his follow-up into the net via the inside of the post.

It was no more than United deserved. They had already fallen foul to an offside decision once during the night,. Isak thought he had given Newcastle an early lead, firing into the top corner after being set up by Anthony Gordon. It was a sensational finish and it almost took the roof off all four stands. The cheering was soon muted, however, as a tight VAR decision ruled Isak to have been marginally offside.

It meant there was still a doubt in the back of some minds when Gordon latched on to the loose ball after Fabian Schar challenged Declan Rice outside the Arsenal box. Gordon tucked the ball home, wheeled off to the corner to celebrate a second goal with fans and players. There were brief worries - is there ever a Newcastle game when there isn't? - and Eddie Howe on the touchline had to check himself though, quickly glancing at the assistant to see if an offside flag was being raised.

He need not have worried. Gabriel had played Gordon onside, no VAR intervention and the goal stood. Howe and United could breathe easy and enjoy the moment.

READ MORE: 30 photos as Newcastle United fans celebrate Carabao Cup semi-final success over Arsenal

Bruno's scarf celebration

Newcastle certainly did celebrate Gordon’s goal, and in some style. In the corner of the Gallowgate and Milburn Stand, almost every player piled in.

Supporters had been asked pre-match to not only bring the noise, but bring their scarves too. And the picture of thousands in the corner twirling them over their heads was a sight to behold.

Some parted with theirs, throwing them down on top of the players as they hugged Gordon. Bruno Guimareas broke away from the huddle, picked one up and lofted it high above his head, screaming with delight as he thrust it sky-ward. Gordon too draped one around his neck before mimicking the fans in front of him by twirling it high above his head.

Fans and players celebrating as one, once more.

Cheick Tiote memory on a fitting night

A 4-0 aggregate win was the right scoreline for many reasons. Fourteen years to the day, Newcastle had stunned Arsenal again at St James’, coming back from a 4-0 half-time deficit to steal a point with a stunning second-half performance.

That incredible effort was sealed by Cheick Tiote’s sensational equaliser with minutes remaining. The midfielder, not known for his goalscoring exploits, crashed a volley home before setting off on a celebration run that will live long in the memory.

Fittingly last night, the late Tiote - who sadly passed away aged just 30 in 2017 after a heart attack while training with Chinese club Beijing Enterprise - was represented at the game by his son Rafael, who was one of the mascots for the evening.

“We are honoured to have Cheick Tiote's son, Rafael as one of our mascots for tonight's game,” Newcastle shared in a post on social media. “Once a Geordie, always a Geordie.”

Rafael then joined in the player celebrations on the pitch afterwards, enjoying the moment with Bruno's arm around his shoulder. It was a classy gesture from the club who is getting so much right on and off the pitch.