Newcastle into Carabao Cup quarter-finals after Bournemouth victory 

They now stand two wins away from a Wembley final, which at a club with Newcastle's woeful knock-out record in recent seasons is reason for celebration in itself.

QUALIFICATION SECURED: Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin celebrates victory after the final whistle. Pic: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.

Newcastle 1 Bournemouth 0 

IT'S a compelling argument that Newcastle had pretty much more to lose than most in terms of the momentum-halting nature of the World Cup hiatus such was the impressive nature of their progress prior to the unprecedented halt for events to unfold in the Middle East.