Eddie Howe was delighted to see Newcastle become the latest side to utilise their set-piece threat as they won 2-0 against Tottenham to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
With Spurs one of several sides to make their dominance pay from dead-ball situations this season, including against Everton at the weekend, the Magpies displayed their own threat as Fabian Schar rose highest to open the scoring at St James’ Park.
Nick Woltemade also used his height to get ahead of Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for the game-sealing second goal after the break and Toon boss Howe insisted it was something they’d 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 teams problems.
“Its great to see a great delivery from Sandro [Tonali] and Fabian’s [Schar] header was top class.
“He’s always had a goal in him, he’s always had that creative side of him game and it was a great moment for him.”
Howe ‘pleased’ after eight changes
Holders Newcastle are becoming formidable in this competition but it was the hosts who made the more changes to their XI ahead of kick-off – eight to Spurs’ four – but were fairly comfortable in breezing past their Premier League opponents.
Howe added: “Really pleased because I think when you make the changes we did you hope to see a performance that’s in line with our identity and our expectations.
“I thought the pressing early on in the game and general attitude of the players was very good.
“I think with the way we work we like to think regardless of the changes we make they deliver a Newcastle performance in line with our expectations.
“It’s most important that our attitude is right from minute one and the will to win that you need and 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 draw for the last eight was made after kick-off.
Frank criticises referee in lead-up to Newcastle opener
Spurs manager Thomas Frank was disappointed to see his side miss out on a chance to win more silverware and expressed his issues with the build-up to the Magpies opener – which saw referee Chris Kavanagh allow play to start while Djed Spence was down adjusting his boots.
He told BBC 5 live: “Always disappointing to lose, always disappointing to go out of the tournament that we would love to progress in.
“Small margins decided the game tonight – it was a very even game with chances and situations in both boxes. The two goals were also small margins where there was two mistakes.
“One [mistake] unfortunately from [referee] Chris Kavanagh, in terms of things you need to give. Djed Spence had his boot off – he needs time to tie his boot and he didn’t.
“His marker, Schar, scored. I have spoken to Chris about it, and we will keep that between Chris and I.”
