Tonali double puts rampant Newcastle into last four

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.

- Louise Taylor

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.

Rumours are rife that Tonali could be destined for a £45m return to his beloved Milan or a similarly priced move to Juventus in January but, right now, the Italy midfielder seems indispensable to Howe.

Ever since Newcastle's manager offered Tonali a deeper role at the heart of midfield - turning him into a flexible No 6 and Bruno Guimarães into more of a fluid No 8 - he and his wonderful passing range have looked near irreplaceable.

Tonali scores the odd goal too, something he reminded everyone of as Nathan Collins cleared Tino Livramento's cross straight into his path and he sent a perfectly calibrated shot flying beyond Mark Flekken.