Only two sides in the competition’s history have failed to reach the League Cup final after winning the first leg away from home. West Ham United were the inaugural bottlers in 1971-72, losing a mammoth four-game semi-final against Stoke City.
An epic series of contests, staged before the days of penalty shoot-outs, saw Bobby Moore save a penalty during the final match - billed as one of the greatest games in the competition’s history. Premier League managers would wince at the prospect of four-game cup ties in the modern age.
Including extra time, there were 420 minutes of toil. Terry Conroy’s late winner earned the Potteries a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford and advanced to the final, beating Chelsea on the big day.
READ MORE: Newcastle United transfer news LIVE
In the final minutes of normal time, a certain Harry Redknapp won a last-gasp penalty, only for Gordon Banks to deny fellow World Cup hero Geoff Hurst from the spot. Tottenham Hotspur also spooned - or should that say “Spursed” - the chance to reach an illustrious Wembley showdown in 1986-87.
What made it worse was that bitter rivals Arsenal put them to the sword. Despite Clive Allen, winner of the PFA Player of the Year award that season, snatching a 1-0 win at Highbury in the first leg, Spurs crumbled 2-1 on home soil to force a replay.
The great irony is how Allen also scored the opener in that second leg, causing the stadium Tannoy to announce ticket plans for the final while playing “Spurs are on their way to Wembley” over the speaker. Goals from Viv Anderson and former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn would put a halt to the celebrations.
Arsenal would win by the same scoreline at White Hart Lane three days later before defeating Liverpool in the final to lift their first League Cup trophy. Swindon Town were almost the first team to hiccup almost 55 years ago.
Winning 2-1 at Burnley must have caused complacency to kick in as the Clarets stunned them by the same scoreline in the second leg. However, the Robins would edge out a thrilling 3-2 win at Turf Moor to save their semi-final blushes.
Eddie Howe knows complacency is a killer and his players must deal with the pressure in front of a raucous St James’ Park crowd. The tag of pre-match favourites can often weigh heavily under the lights but, as Southampton sit rock bottom of the Premier League, that is a challenge United confront
Two sides have failed to make the Wembley showpiece despite having one foot in the final after 90 minutes. History is on Tyneside’s side as Howe attempts to lead Newcastle into their first cup final in a generation.
READ NEXT
- Newcastle have new transfer advantage due to Eddie Howe's track record of improving struggling stars
- Newcastle United sign Harrison Ashby after West Ham fail with improved contract offer
- Newcastle told Murphy's wave and touchline row might 'come back to bite' in decisive Carabao Cup tie
- Bruno Guimaraes reflects on 'best decision' and outlines dream to make history with Newcastle
- Eddie Howe's summer transfer warning bites again with more 'difficult' Newcastle departures expected
