Newcastle are 45 minutes away from a fourth successive Carabao Cup quarter-final under Eddie Howe. Kick-off is just moments away. Xavi Simons fires an effort just over the bar and that is the end of the first half. Newcastle lead but there has been very little in the game.

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Eddie Howe's voice croaked as he addressed the media after Newcastle United's horror show in their 3-1 defeat at West Ham United. "I can't really defend our performance," the Magpies head coach began. "We let West Ham back into it with some uncharacteristic errors."