It had been a nervy few days leading into the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. Not many clubs can hold a 2-0 lead from the first tie and still be surrounded by negative thoughts.

This is Newcastle United, however. No domestic trophy in 70 years can do that to a fanbase. Couple that with two poor home defeats in their last two games at St James’ Park, and a difficult transfer window that saw them lose two players and sign nobody, and it created an uncomfortable build-up.

The days leading into the game was not just dominated by transfer window fall-out but for Newcastle it had seen talk of a new stadium ramp up once more. Reports that PiF were leaning towards plumping for a new £1.2bn super stadium partly on the existing site but mainly across Leazes Park had caused huge debate among matchgoers and fans in general.

Chronicle Live understands that a decision has yet to be made, with United’s owners still weighing up their options and working towards a Spring timeline, but what will have to be taken into account is the love, passion and feeling for St James’ Park.

The atmosphere last night was incredible, crackling from before kick-off when Sam Fender’s saxophonist Jonny Blue Hat belted out Local Hero. Can we have him at Wembley too please?

The Toon Army had........

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