Holders Newcastle breeze past Bradford

Joelinton last scored for Newcastle at Manchester United in December, 2024

Joelinton and William Osula both scored twice as holders Newcastle United started their defence of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable win against Bradford City.

Eddie Howe's side ended a 70-year wait for major domestic silverware by lifting the trophy at Wembley last season with victory over Liverpool.

And they took control of this third-round tie against the League One leaders with two goals in as many first-half minutes at St James' Park.

Joelinton pounced on a loose ball inside the area to score the first in the 17th minute - ending a nine-month goal drought - after Anthony Gordon saw an initial effort blocked.

Striker Osula doubled Newcastle's lead just two minutes later after he latched on to Bruno Guimaraes' wonderful through-ball and coolly finished past Bradford goalkeeper Sam Walker.

The hosts had more opportunities to extend their lead in the second half before Joelinton made it 3-0 in the 75th minute with a composed finish from inside the box.

Substitute Andy Cook pulled one back for Bradford late on after the boyhood Newcastle fan unleashed a venomous effort in off the underside of the bar from the edge of the area.

But Osula restored the hosts' three-goal advantage with a close-range finish as Howe's side booked a home meeting with Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16.

Analysis: Strong side shows Howe's respect for competition

It had been 192 days since Newcastle ended their trophy drought with their Wembley triumph.

And that landmark win against Liverpool only made them hungrier for further success.

There was certainly no chance of Howe having one eye on the visit of Arsenal at the weekend and underestimating in-form Bradford in front of a near sell-out crowd at St James' Park.

No wonder, then, as Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw, Lewis Hall, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon started on Wednesday night as the Newcastle head coach made seven changes from the weekend.

It showcased the depth of his squad and a side that has struggled in front of goal rediscovered their scoring touch against third-tier opposition.

Indeed, Newcastle scored as many goals in the opening 19 minutes of this tie as they had in their previous four fixtures combined.

However, it could have been even more comfortable as Osula, Gordon, Guimaraes, Elanga and Joelinton all had further opportunities.

When Joelinton claimed the third goal, supporters on the Gallowgate End were chanting: "We're Newcastle and we're going to win the cup!"

Danish striker Osula's late effort took his tally to three this term and will boost his confidence.

But the 34-year-old Cook, who grew up idolising Alan Shearer and returned recently after an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January, gave Bradford's 4,900 fans a moment he, and they, won't forget with a venomous strike.

They had their moments, but never looked likely to cause a shock and Graham Alexander's side will turn their attention back to League One and a promotion challenge.

What's next for these teams?

Newcastle welcome Arsenal to St James' Park on Sunday, September 28 (16:30 BST), before travelling to Brussels to take on Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League on Wednesday, 1 October (17:45 BST).

Bradford host Blackpool in League One at Valley Parade on Saturday, 27 September (15:00 BST) and visit Rotherham on Thursday, 2 October (20:00 BST).