A sticking plaster for Newcastle’s internal tensions or a potential long-term cure for their problems? Whatever the reality Eddie Howe’s inconsistent team are a two-leg semi-final away from a potentially transformative Wembley showpiece after two stellar first-half goals from Sandro Tonali and another from Fabian Schär undid an immensely disappointing Brentford on Tyneside.

As Tonali controlled the pace of the tie and Howe’s hope of ending his club’s long decades without a trophy endured, Thomas Frank’s players wilted beneath the floodlights. Well before Yoane Wissa’s academic stoppage-time goal reduced the deficit they looked to have checked in for their flight back to London.