The Carabao Cup was on display in the main reception, dictating that Tottenham’s players trooped past it as they entered the Milburn Stand en route from their team bus to the away dressing room. If the sight of that trophy inspired Thomas Frank’s players, Newcastle’s desire to retain it was infinitely stronger.

Eddie Howe’s team could have been forgiven for prioritising the Champions League and the Premier League but, instead, they played with the zeal of a side still buoyed by last March’s Wembley triumph.

Their passage to this season’s quarter-finals was secured thanks to goals from the impressive Fabian Schär and Nick Woltemade – and another stunning midfield performance on Sandro Tonali’s part.

Before kick-off Howe had enthused about the variety and versatility of Tottenham’s buildups but, perhaps anxious to prove his own chameleon credentials, Newcastle’s manager tweaked his 4-3-3 system to create extra overloads down the flanks.

It meant that one full back – Emil Krafth or Dan Burn – joined almost every attack as the home side made repeated, if temporary, shape shifts into a back three.

With Tonali once again showing his midfield class, Spurs struggled to second-guess the hosts but Newcastle could not take...