Tonali Shines as Newcastle Advance in League Cup Despite Isak’s Off Night

Newcastle United secured their place in the League Cup semi-finals with a convincing 3-1 victory over Brentford at St. James’ Park on Wednesday evening. The Magpies will now await the draw to determine their opponents for the two-legged January semi-final as they aim to return to Wembley for the first time since 2023.

Sandro Tonali was the hero of the night, scoring a first-half brace to put Newcastle firmly in control. The Italian midfielder opened the scoring with a powerful low drive from distance in the 9th minute, then doubled the lead just before halftime by volleying home Anthony Gordon’s corner. Fabian Schar added a third after the break to seal the win, with Yoane Wissa netting a late consolation for Brentford.

Tonali’s Man of the Match Performance

Beyond his two goals, Tonali put in a complete midfield display. The former AC Milan star completed 93% of his passes (56/60) to help Newcastle dominate possession. He also won 6 out of 11 ground duels and made 4 tackles to regain possession for his side, showcasing his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively.

Isak’s Struggles Up Front

While Tonali excelled, striker Alexander Isak endured arguably his worst performance of the season. The Swedish international failed to make an impact during his 77 minutes on the pitch:

• 0 shots on target
• 0 big chances created
• 12 passes completed
• 0/6 duels won

This marked the first time this season in any competition where Isak lost all of his duels (minimum 5 contested), failed to register a shot on target, created no big chances, and had fewer than 30 touches in over 45 minutes of play.

Despite Isak’s off night, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will be pleased that his team could still score three goals and advance in the cup. It demonstrates the squad’s depth and ability to find goals from other sources when their star striker is not at his best.

Tonali’s match-winning performance ultimately saved the day for Newcastle, masking Isak’s struggles and propelling the team into the League Cup semi-finals.