This is why the Carabao Cup semi-final draw couldn’t have worked out better for Newcastle United The Mag

After beating Brentford, I was happy with the win, but there was still a small downside. We were hoping for a couple of surprises in the other games that would have made the road to the Carabao Cup final a bit easier, but things didn’t go our way. Liverpool and Arsenal were still in the competition, two teams no one wants to face this late. That left us watching the Spurs versus Man Utd match, trying to figure out which team we’d rather deal with in the next round. It wasn’t an easy decision because both teams have their strengths, but most of us agreed that Tottenham would be the better option. We’ve had enough disappointments against Man Utd, especially in cup competitions, so seeing Spurs win felt like the better outcome.

As we waited for the Carabao Cup semi-final draw, there was a mix of excitement and nervousness. It always feels like a long wait during those post-match discussions and analysis, but finally, the draw happened on Thursday night. When it came to deciding who we wanted to face, it wasn’t clear-cut. Every team left in the competition had its challenges. There’s never an easy route to a trophy at this stage, but we all had opinions on which matchup would give us the best chance. Even with all the uncertainty, now that we’ve had a chance to reflect, it’s clear that we ended up with the best draw we could have hoped for.

Looking back on the situation, it’s interesting how these moments play out. Cup competitions are full of drama and unpredictability, and the semi-finals always feel like a turning point. This is the stage where teams start dreaming about lifting the trophy, but it’s also the stage where things can go very wrong. The pressure is intense because you’re so close yet still have big obstacles in the way. Knowing that Liverpool and Arsenal were still in the mix added to the tension. These are two teams with quality squads and players who can change a game in an instant. Drawing either of them would have been tough, so there was a lot of relief in avoiding that scenario.

The Spurs versus Man Utd match was another key part of the puzzle. While watching it, there was a sense of hope that the result would go in our favor. Spurs winning was the outcome most of us wanted because we’ve had too many tough battles against Man Utd in recent years. Man Utd has a history of knocking teams out in the late stages of cup competitions, and that memory still lingers. Tottenham, on the other hand, felt like a more manageable challenge. It’s not that Spurs are an easy opponent, but the history we have with Man Utd made them the team we wanted to avoid. When the final whistle blew, and Spurs had secured the win, it felt like a small victory for us as well.

The draw itself always brings a mix of emotions. As fans, you sit there trying to calculate all the possibilities, but ultimately, it’s out of your hands. When the matchups were announced, and we saw who we’d be facing, there was a sense of relief. While no game at this stage is simple, it was hard to argue that the outcome could have been any better. We avoided the biggest threats for now, and that’s all you can ask for in a competition like this. The focus now shifts to preparing for the next round and making sure we take advantage of the opportunity we’ve been given.

These moments remind us why we love football. The highs and lows, the moments of anticipation, and the drama of a cup competition all combine to create an experience like no other. While there’s still a lot of work to be done, there’s also a feeling of optimism. We’ve made it this far, and now it’s about staying focused and taking each game as it comes. The road ahead won’t be easy, but for now, we can take a moment to appreciate that we’re still in the fight and that the draw has given us a chance to keep pushing toward the final.