Kevin Nolan believes a Geordie scoring the goals to take Newcastle United to Wembley made the Carabao Cup semi-final win extra special. Sean Longstaff bagged a brace as the Magpies brushed aside Southampton at St James’ Park.
The North Shields native scored for the first time since October’s 4-1 win over Fulham to send his boyhood club to the final. Longstaff mirrored legendary goalscorer Alan Shearer, who scored decisive goals in the 1998 and 1999 FA Cup semi-finals.
An all-round gutsy performance from the 25-year-old earned him the man-of-the-match award and now provides Newcastle with their first chance of winning domestic silverware in 68 years. Former Toon captain Nolan was blown away by the post-match scenes at full-time.