Tottenham Hotspur booked their place in the semi-finals of the League Cup courtesy of a resounding 4-0 victory over Newcastle United at White Hart Lane this evening.
The hosts were ahead inside 18 minutes when Nabil Bentaleb profited on some slack goalkeeping from Ben Alnwick to fire his side ahead, while the second came just 34 seconds into the second half through Nacer Chadli's low drive.
Harry Kane added his name to the scoresheet to put the game beyond the Magpies 25 minutes from time, before Roberto Soldado rounded off the scoring shortly after being introduced from the bench with a close-range finish.
You can relive the action from North London with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the League Cup meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at White Hart Lane.
Just one point and one place separates the two sides in the Premier League table coming into this one, but tonight is all about domestic cup duties with a place in the semi-finals of the competition up for grabs. Spurs have taken 10 points from their last 15 in the top flight, while this evening's visitors have recovered from a poor start to the campaign by losing just twice in their last 10 league outings.
Kickoff in North London is less than an hour away, so let's begin by taking a look at how these two sides line up...
TEAM NEWS!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STARTING XI: Vorm, Chiriches, Fazio, Vertonghen, Rose; Bentaleb, Stambouli; Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend; Kane
NEWCASTLE UNITED STARTING XI: Alnwick; Dummett, Coloccini, Williamson, Haidara; Colback, Sissoko; Perez, Cabella, Gouffran; Riviere
Starting with the hosts, then, Mauricio Pochettino has made six changes to his side for tonight's tie with Michel Vorm, Vlad Chiriches, Danny Rose, Benjamin Stambouli, Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend being brought back into the fold.
Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Ben Davies, Ryan Mason, Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela are the men to drop out, meaning that Pochettino has opted to keep Harry Kane in the side following his strong run of form this campaign. As announced 24 hours ago, Emmanuel Adebayor is not part of tonight's matchday squad having only returned back the club on Monday following leave on personal grounds.
I touched on Kane a moment ago, and he will lead the line this evening in what is a 4-2-3-1 formation for the hosts. The 21-year-old has bagged 12 goals already this campaign, while he also has good omens on his side in this competition having scored in his last three outings.
In terms of the visitors, Alan Pardew has made four changes to his starting lineup, bringing Emmanuel Riviere into the fold for his first start since September. French trio Massadio Haidara, Remy Cabella and Moussa Sissoko also return, meanwhile, with the latter having missed out last weekend's defeat up the road at the Emirates Stadium due to suspension.
Newcastle have a spate of injuries coming into this one, with goalkeepers Tim Krul and Rob Elliot still injured, while Daryl Janmaat joins the list of absentees due to suspension. Sammy Ameobi, who boasts an impressive record of being involved in four goals in the same number of games in the League Cup, also misses out on the squad completely this evening.
BENCH WATCH!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Lloris, Kaboul, Naughton, Capoue, Dembele, Lamela, Soldado
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBS: Woodman, Satka, Streete, Anita, Roberts, Vuckic, Armstrong
A rather inexperienced bench as far as the visitors are concerned, then, with Vernon Anita the only real established name. It's a different matter completely for Spurs on the other hand, who have the likes of Soldado, Lamela and Moussa Dembele to call on should they wish.
The setting for tonight's quarter-final meeting...
Well this evening's game offers both sides the perfect chance to give their supporters real hope of lifting a trophy come February, and both will be confident of victory - the perfect recipe for an entertaining contest. Tottenham have had a rather mixed start to the campaign, although there have certainly been signs of improvement of late with the Lilywhites taking 10 points from the last 15 on offer.
That late winner against Swansea on the weekend saw Spurs move to within four points of a Champions League spot - a realistic target for the club coming into the season - while they also remain in the Europa League and League Cup. The fixtures may be piling up, but with European hopes put to one side until next year, now is a chance for Pochettino to guide his side into the semi-finals of a cup competition, while also making up more points on the top four in the Premier League.
This is a competition which is often derided, but you try telling supporters of the likes of Swansea City - who lifted the cup in 2013 - that it doesn't matter. Pochettino will certainly win over supporters should he guide them to Wembley, and with just two of Chelsea, Bournemouth and Liverpool standing between them and silverware should they progress this evening, there is a real chance of the Spaniard making a mark in his debut season.
The same can be said of Newcastle. Supporters made clear following defeat at the hands of Cardiff City earlier this year in the FA Cup that they were not happy with the club's perceived lack of ambition - rightly so. In fact, this is the furthest stage the Magpies have reached in the League Cup since back in 2006, when they were knocked out by Chelsea.
Pardew has certainly managed to steady the ship over the past couple of months following what was a truly terrible start to the season. No win in their first seven games saw the Magpies drop to the foot of the table, and a heavy defeat against Southampton looked to have spelt the end for the Toon boss. But credit to Mike Ashley for sticking with Pardew, albeit out of pure stubbornness, because his side are now looking good value to mount a charge for a Europa League spot.
There's the small matter of a meeting with local rivals Sunderland to come on the weekend, and perhaps that is why Pardew hasn't named a full-strength team here tonight, although it goes without saying that victory at White Hart Lane will do his side the world of good. Two defeats in their last 10 in the Premier League suggests that Spurs will have to be at something close to their top game if they are to progress.
DID YOU KNOW? Tottenham have scored in their last 25 home games in the League Cup - a run stretching back to 1999.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These sides have certainly crossed paths a fair few times before, meeting on 151 previous occasions. Spurs edge out their opponents slightly with 63 wins to Newcastle's 56, with 32 games being drawn. Four of those encounters have come in this competition, meanwhile, with the last meeting coming back in 2007.
Following on from that previous point, the North Londoners will have to rectify a worrying stat this evening having been knocked out of the competition by a Premier League club in five of the last seven seasons.
Incidentally, this will be Spurs' third-successive home game in the Capital One Cup this season, while Newcastle on the other hand are playing on the road for the fourth time in the same number of games. That hasn't put of their vocal supporters, with around 4,000 making the trip to White Hart Lane for this tasty clash.
Newcastle provide the strongest test for Pochettino's men thus far, beating Championship opposition in the previous two rounds in the shape of Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion. Forest were downed 3-1, while the Seagulls were undone by two second-half goals in a 2-0 triumph for the Lilywhites. Spurs hardly set the world alight in either game, though, and they will have to step it up another level or two this evening.
It's been a little tougher for Newcastle, meanwhile, with the Magpies overcoming a couple of Premier League sides to get to this stage. First up, however, was a slender 1-0 win over Gillingham, which was followed up with an entertaining 3-2 draw at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. It was in the last round that Pardew's charges really caught the eye, knocking out holders Manchester City in a surprise 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
PREDICTION: This really is a tough one to call, and the league table doesn't lie with these sides separated by just a single point. But tonight is all about cup duties, though, and with that in mind I believe Newcastle will push on from their victories over Palace and Man City on the road in previous rounds by securing a 2-1 win here tonight.
Here we go, then - Tottenham vs. Newcastle for a place in the final four of the Capital One Cup. Chelsea have already booked their spot in this evening's draw, but who will be joining them? Let's find out...
KICKOFF! We're underway at White Hart Lane. Tottenham are sporting white shirts, blue shorts and white socks, while Newcastle are in green & blue shirts, green shorts & blue socks.
Both sides managing to get a few touches of the ball early on, although it was the visitors who looked to take the initiative early on. Sissoko looked to pick out Riviere with a ball through the middle, although Vorm was quickly out of his goal to collect the ball, taking out Danny Rose at the same time.
There's a great noise coming from the travelling section at the moment, and it's Newcastle who have had more of the ball in the opening five minutes. That said, Chadli looked to change the flow of the game following a strong run and dangerous cross into the box, which has led to a Spurs corner.
SHOT! The initial corner wasn't properly dealt with by the Magpies, and Stambouli managed to get a shot in which was deflected over the bar.
A decent start to the game, as Newcastle push up the other end and win a corner of their own. Gouffran's initial cross couldn't be converted, but Perez managed to direct it goalwards once more with a dangerous fizzed ball. It came to nothing in the end, though, with the chance petering out.
SAVE! The high-tempo start continues in North London as Alnwick is called into action for the first time. Townsend managed to slip the ball through to Chadli, although the Belgian was unable to get the better of the Toon stopper from a tight angle.
All Spurs now. Rose's near-perfect cross from the left looked for all the world to be heading right to the feet of Kane at the back post, but the forward couldn't quite get on the end of it with the ball rolling out of play.
Townsend is the latest Spurs player to try his luck with a wayward drive. There's no denying that Tottenham have had the better of these early stages, although they have nothing to tell for their high-tempo play at the moment.
SAVE! A trademark, powerful run through the middle from Sissoko saw the returning midfielder find some space around 25 yards from goal. He could has passed the ball to his right, although he opted to strike from range, forcing Vorm to push the ball away.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED (BENTALEB)
It's an absolute howler from inexperienced goalkeeper Ben Alnwick, who fails to keep hold of a lofted corner kick into the box. The ball just seemed to slip out of his hands at full reach, allowing Bentaleb to sweep the ball in from close range for his first senior Spurs goal.
Newcastle push forward in search of an equaliser, with Riviere heading a corner kick narrowly wide. The flag had already been raised on the far side, however, so the goal wouldn't have stood even if he had hit the back of the net. You have to say, Spurs are good value for their lead following their high-energy start to the opening quarter of the contest, although it's hardly been one-sided.
SAVE! Sissoko is being afforded far too much space by Tottenham at the moment, and the midfielder has forced Vorm into making another stop, although this one was far easier than his opening stop. Some good play down the right created the move, and after being laid off around 25 yards from goal, Sissoko struck the ball right down the middle where Vorm was waiting to collect. Good response this from the Magpies.
UPDATE: BOURNEMOUTH 0-1 LIVERPOOL (STERLING, 20). Liverpool have taken the lead in this evening's other quarter-final tie at Goldsands Stadium through Raheem Sterling.
Tottenham just looking to re-find their feet having dropped off a little following that opening goal. Newcastle have looked the better team in the last five minutes or so, but they have been unable to find a way through thus far.
UPDATE: BOURNEMOUTH 0-2 LIVERPOOL (MARKOVIC, 27). The Reds have doubled their advantage on the South Coast, putting one foot into the final four.
Eriksen is given the chance to whip a cross in from the right-hand side in a decent position, but Colback was on hand to turn the ball behind. Incidentally, Sissoko has already had a couple of attempts on goal, yet big gaps are still appearing in the home side's midfield - that will need to be rectified.
CLOSE! A sloppy pass in midfield allows Kane to run towards the opposition box, and with Townsend's run from left to run dragging a defender out of the game, Kane opts to shoot from range with his effort missing the target by just a few inches. Newcastle almost the victims of their own downfall for the second time this evening.
A little over five minutes to go until half time, then, in what has been a decent first half of football. Tottenham have been unable to match their early energy levels, although that said they still look strong when going forward. Newcastle have had their chances, too, namely through Sissoko whose powerful bursts are causing the opposition a fair bit of trouble.
PENALTY SHOUT! Kane is played in on the right-hand side of the Newcastle penalty area, taking a touch to knock the ball beyond Coloccini which forced the centre-back to take his opponent down. The Newcastle man knocked the calf of Kane when he was peering down on goal, but referee Andre Marriner was having none of it. That's a tough call to make. It would have been harsh had he given it, although that looked a penalty in my opinion.
Half a chance for Gouffran who gets on the end of a cross inside the Spurs box, but he fired high and wide. Two minutes for the visitors to find an equaliser before the break.
Tottenham have upped the pressure a little in the last couple of minutes in search of a second, although a couple of dangerous-looking crosses into the area were well dealt with by the visitors.
Newcastle earn themselves a corner kick in the dying stages of the first half, but they were unable to capitalise on the set piece which came about following a great tackle from Danny Rose inside his own penalty area. He had to get that spot on, and he did just that.
HALF TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED
Referee Andre Marriner blows his whistle to signal the end of the first half, ensuring that Tottenham take a slender 1-0 lead into the interval. Bentaleb was the man who found the net, capitalising on some poor goalkeeping from Toon rookie Ben Alnwick to fire home from close range.
Spurs are good value for their lead just about, because despite being on top for most parts, Newcastle have still caused problems. Sissoko in particular has been a danger, firing away a couple of shots on goal from the edge of the area having been afforded far too much space.
It has been an entertaining quarter-final clash on the whole, and one that looks set to intensify in the second half. Newcastle know they need to score following the restart, although their options form the back lack the quality and experience of their Tottenham counterparts.
BENCH WATCH!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Lloris, Kaboul, Naughton, Capoue, Dembele, Lamela, Soldado
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBS: Woodman, Satka, Streete, Anita, Roberts, Vuckic, Armstrong
Nabil celebrates his first senior goal in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt with his teammates. His 18th-minute strike separates the two sides at the break.
A reminder that this evening's game will go to extra time and penalties if needed, while updates will be provided from the night's other quarter-final meeting throughout this second half. The teams are back on the field, so let's get back to it...
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! We're back underway at White Hart Lane, with Spurs pushing from the off...
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED (CHADLI)
Well in the league meeting between these two sides early this season, Newcastle caught their opponents out in the opening seconds of the second half, but on this occasion it is Spurs who have profited from a strong start. Chadli cut in from the left-hand side before shooting low into the bottom corner from range. The Toon have it all to do now.
SAVE! A rather comfortable save for Vorm to make, denying Cabella's shot which was hit with no real conviction.
UPDATE: BOURNEMOUTH 0-3 LIVERPOOL (STERLING, 51). Tottenham look as though they will be joining Chelsea, Sheffield United and Liverpool in the final four. A reminder that the draw is made shortly after tonight's games.
Newcastle continuing to ask questions with a couple of crosses into the box, but they are not doing enough to truly trouble the Spurs backline. A goal is needed soon if they are to keep their League Cup campaign alive.
CHANCE! Newcastle have just squandered arguably their finest chance of the game which came about following some good play by Perez down the right. His cross was pretty much laid on a plate for Cabella to tap home from close range, but he miss-hit the ball and Riviere was unable to react in time for the rebound.
UPDATE: BOURNEMOUTH 1-3 LIVERPOOL (GOSLING, 57) Game on again in Dorset, I wonder?
SAVE! Chiriches draws a save out of Alnwick with a low shot towards the bottom corner of the net. Spurs are now upping the pressure - a third will surely wrap it up.
OFF THE LINE! Dummett does well to head behind Townsend's cross for a corner, from which Vertonghen climbed highest to head goalwards, only for his attempt to be cleared off the line by Haidara.
SUBS! Riviere comes off for the visitors, with youngster Adam Armstrong coming on in his place. Spurs also make a change, with Mousa Dembele replacing goalscorer Chadli.
YELLOW CARD! Haidara is shown a yellow card following a foul on Townsend.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED (KANE)
That's goal number 13 of the season for Kane, who continues to impress for the Lilywhites. The Englishman latched onto a deflection inside the box before steering the ball into the bottom right corner of the net with a fine finish. Game over for Newcastle; the semi-finals await for Tottenham.
Further bad news for Newcastle supporters, as Sissoko goes to ground requiring some treatment. Sunderland await in a few days' time don't forget.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB: Roberto Soldado comes on with 20 minutes remaining in place of Kane, who is given a great reception following his strike. Incidentally, Sissoko is now back on his feet.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED (SOLDADO)
On the field for less than two minutes, Soldado has managed to bag himself a rare goal by tapping home from close range. Eriksen's strike could only be parried into the path of Soldado by Alnwick, and the replacement striker made no mistake, taking a touch before rolling home.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Vurnon Anita replaces Moussa Sissoko for the visitors, just moments after Armstrong saw his effort comfortably saved by Vorm while in a one-on-one position.
A potential disaster is on the cards for Newcastle, with Alnwick receiving a bit of treatment. He's the Magpies' third-choice stopper as it is!
Alnwick is okay to resume, but that is still a worry for Pardew ahead of the Sunderland game on the weekend. The youngster was called into action to deny Soldado's shot inside the box, although the offside was already up.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB: Capoue has entered the fold in place of Bentaleb. He can be happy with his performance this evening, which was capped by that opening goal in the first half.
Eight goals conceded in two games now for Newcastle, who haven't really deserved to be on the end of a battering this evening. They had their chances, which they ultimately failed to take, while Spurs have been far less profligate in front of goal. This one has been all over as a contest since that third goal hit the net, and it is just a case of Tottenham remaining professional for the final seven minutes or so.
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUB: Haris Vuckic replaces Remy Cabella as Newcastle attempt to pull back a consolation.
SHOT! Armstrong has looked lively since coming on, trying his luck from range from the edge of the area with his latest attempt which flies narrowly wide of the post. Pardew may opt to start with the youngster on the weekend if his cameo performance here is anything to go by.
SAVE! Armstrong is in the thick of the action yet again as we head into the final few minutes, getting away a shot/cross from a tight angle which Vorm keeps out.
SAVE! Vorm is this time equal to Perez's shot. It's a case of too little, too late for the visitors, as Spurs supporters begin their "WEM-BER-LEY" chants.
This has been a solid showing from Tottenham, who are certainly looking promising under Pochettino right now. Their European aspirations can take a back seat until the New Year, while the immediate priority will be to make up some points on the top four in the Premier League. Newcastle followers on the other hand will be hugely disappointed with this defeat, although I'm sure victory over Sunderland will come close to making up for this heavy loss.
FULL TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED
The game officially comes to a close, although in truth it has been all over for the best part of 30 minutes. Newcastle just had too many injuries on the night to contend with their opponents, although a four-goal thrashing was a little harsh on the Magpies who created a few openings of their own.
They will have to regroup ahead of that derby clash on the weekend, while Spurs will be buoyed by their performance ahead of their gruelling festive fixtures. In the long-term there is also a League Cup semi-final to look forward to now, with the draw for that being made within the next 20 minutes.
Well that's all from me, but be sure to stick around on Sports Mole for full details of the draw for the last four, which will be made up of Sheffield United, Chelsea, Liverpool and, of course, Tottenham Hotspur. Thanks for joining!
