On 10 October 1960, Newcastle United played their very first League Cup (Carabao Cup) match.

That game very much a sign of things to come.

Newcastle United lost 4-1 at Colchester United.

In the first 61 seasons of competing in the League Cup, United managed to get past the quarter-final stage once.

That was in the 1975-76 season when Newcastle United reached their first final in the competition, they played really well in the final but a spectacular overhead kick from a Newcastle fan (Dennis Tueart) won it for Manchester City.

The 61st season of ‘competing’ in the competition saw Newcastle United exit on 25 August 2021, a typical dismal performance from Steve Bruce’s demoralised NUFC side saw them draw 0-0 at St James’ Park to Burnley (who would go on to be relegated) and lose 4-3 on penalties.

After 61 years of misery in the competition, these next 62 months in the Carabao Cup have been a whole different level for Newcastle United.

If winning at Everton tonight, it will make it five times in a row that Newcastle United have reached the quarter-finals.

In the four Eddie Howe seasons the Carabao Cup record was: finalists, quarter-finalists, winners, semi-finalists.

Previously undreamed of riches for Newcastle United fans.

Matthias Jaissle has then picked up the Carabao Cup baton with two games and two wins so far.

Some staggering Carabao Cup stats these last 62 months

Newcastle United have a record of played 24, won 20 and lost 4. Only losing to Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City (twice).

Since the Chelsea defeat in December 2023, the last 30 months have seen Newcastle United only lose to Manchester City.

What makes the last 62 months all the more remarkable is that it’s not like United have had the luck of the draw, easy ties. Under Eddie Howe there were 22 Carabao Cup matches and 19 of them were against Premier League opposition. With of course the 2024/25 Wembley winning season seeing United brilliantly overcome Forest, Chelsea, Brentford, Arsenal (twice!) and Liverpool, as well as AFC Wimbledon.

The omens are also positive ahead of tonight’s match…

Everton have only progressed from only one of their last seven League Cup fourth round ties under David Moyes.

Newcastle United have won all of their last seven fourth round ties in the competition.

A December night out at League Two Fleetwood Town beckons for the winners tonight, a potential route to the Carabao Cup semi-finals (yet again!) for Newcastle United.

Dare to dream. Again.