Newcastle United comfortably reached their first Carabao Cup semi-final in 46 years with a 2-0 victory at home to Leicester City.
In truth, the score line could have been a lot bigger with The Magpies dominating the game and creating numerous chances.
Eddie Howe’s side would have considered themselves unlucky to go into the break at 0-0 but goals from Dan Burn and Joelinton in the second half ensured they did not have to endure the lottery of a penalty shootout.
The hosts will now have to wait until tomorrow evening to find out who they face in the semi-finals, as they look to win a first major domestic trophy since their FA Cup triumph in 1955.
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Story of the match
Following a disappointing 2-1 defeat away at Sheffield Wednesday in the the FA Cup three days ago, Howe made nine changes with first team regulars such as Nick Pope, Miguel Almirón, and Bruno Guimaraes all returning to the starting line up.
Similarly, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers made eight changes to the side that beat Gillingham 1-0 at the weekend, with just Youri Tielemans, Marc Albrighton, and former Newcastle man Ayoze Perez keeping their places.
A raucous St James' Park welcomed the two teams onto the pitch and Newcastle tried to build on the atmosphere with a quick start.
The hosts were nearly rewarded within the first 60 seconds as Sean Longstaff had what appeared to be a tap in after a Joe Willock pull back, but he put his shot wide.
Leicester did not react to the early warning and were lucky not to concede with The Magpies having two more good chances in the first ten minutes.
The Newcastle press led to Guimaraes pulling the trigger from 30 yards out after just three minutes which missed the target before Callum Wilson saw a shot deflected behind for a corner.
After a whirlwind first ten minutes, Leicester did manage to slow the game down and quieten the crowd.
The Foxes managed to have a chance of their own with Ayoze Perez shooting from the edge of the box but it was an easy save for Nick Pope.
The hosts still looked the most threatening and Longstaff had another opportunity after the ball broke to him in the box after Leicester failed to clear but Danny Ward made a good save to keep the shot out.
As the half wore on, the visitors began to grow into the game but struggled to make the most of their opportunities.
Patson Daka and Harvey Barnes both got into good positions but were then let down by a poor decision or heavy touch.
Newcastle also began to struggle with Leicester's counter attacking threat as first Longstaff and then Burn were yellow carded for preventing a Foxes break.
Another early Newcastle onslaught
Leicester did not seem to learn the lessons from the first half and were caught napping after just 22 seconds of the second half when Joelinton was played through on goal and Ward did really well to tip the shot onto the post and out for a corner.
Burn was next to go close for The Magpies as Newcastle created chance after chance.
He was left totally unmarked at a free kick but his header went over the bar.
Longstaff really should have scored in the tie, after another good shot from the edge of the area was saved by the Leicester keeper.
On the hour mark, The Foxes' resistance was broken.
A poor defensive clearance fell to Willock who gave the ball to Burn on the left and he burst into the box past two defenders to score his first ever Newcastle goal and put the hosts ahead.
As soon as Leicester went behind, boss Brendan Rodgers rolled the dice by changing formation and bringing on Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho for Daka and Luke Thomas.
However, before the substitutes could have an impact, The Magpies had doubled their lead.
A throw in down the right hand side was held up well by Wilson who laid the ball off to Almiron and his ball split open The Foxes' defence and Joelinton finished well to make it 2-0.
The game could have turned in Leicester's favour as Vardy had two golden opportunities to score but he put both openings wide.
Firstly, he was found on the penalty spot in acres of space by Perez but he dragged his shot wide.
Then a minute later a long through ball put the 35-year-old through on the left hand side of the box, but he fired his effort wide of the far post.
Newcastle did well to control the game after those two chances and comfortably secured their passage through to the semi-finals.
Player of the match
Several Newcastle players impressed on the night and many of the players could have been chosen for the award, but it was a particularly impressive performance from Joelinton.
The Brazilian kept finding space and caused all kinds of issues for Timothy Castagne and Albrighton on the right hand side.
He deserved his goal and should have had one even earlier.