NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe speaks to the media during the first press conference of the season at the Newcastle United Media Centre on August 15, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe insists his team is focussed on successfully defending the Carabao Cup ahead of facing Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park in the fourth round on Wednesday.
Victory over Liverpool back at Wembley back in March ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, but Howe says retaining it would give him as much pleasure as winning it the first time, despite Newcastle playing in four major competitions this season.
“We want to progress as current holders,” Howe said.
“Winning was incredible and once you have that feeling, you want it again as quickly as possible.
“It means a lot to us and we don’t want to give that up easily. I love this competition; the players have got into a good groove, they understand this season is going to be less about training, just playing and and recovering.”
Howe says Newcastle has learnt from a lot of big moments in the competition over the past couple of years.
“A lot of great experiences in this competition, the final (in 2023 against Manchester United) was amazing but the emotions after the game were negative because we left a little bit on the pitch that day.
“The Chelsea defeat (2024 quarter-final) is still painful; I felt we had a real chance that year.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: The Newcastle United squad and members of the coaching staff celebrate in a team picture after the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Players have ‘resolve’ for trophy defence – Eddie Howe
Newcastle’s route to victory last season saw it face three of the top four in the Premier League, and Tottenham arrives in third at the moment. Howe is aware of the challenge but insists winning is all that matters, rather than how it is done.
“If you look at our fixture list [last season], it wasn’t by luck that we won that competition. We beat Chelsea in the early rounds, Arsenal in the semi-finals, a lot of great experiences for us. I think that has helped us grow.
“There is a resolve in the squad to [defend the trophy], but when you go through all of our experiences, you realize the early rounds are so important, finding a way through. However we do it, it is just about getting your name in the hat for the next round.
“We are up against a very good team who are in goof form away from home, it is as big a challenge.”