Eddie Howe said:

"Really good performance tonight, especially in the first half. We got our pressing attitude bang on and got a lot of regains high up the pitch, which is where the first goal came from. Delighted with the contribution from the whole squad.

"You always learn from every game and try to put things into practice in the next match. Playing the same opponent yes, but a very different team, I'm sure they also took things from Sunday for tonight.

"I just felt there was a better feel in our out of possession delivery tonight. We were much better on the details and turning the regains into chances going forwards.

"Second half it wasn't an easy game to manage. They were bringing on some good players from the bench to add to the quality they already had on the pitch but I thought we defended really well.

"You have the (next) game on the horizon, so that is what you are looking at. Two days to recover before another one, so we will have to wait and find out if we managed it well.

"We also wanted to look after one or two players who we thought needed protection, some players deserved to play and stake their claim for more regular time and they did their chances no harm.

Our energy, quality and attitude was spot-on. 

"We needed a performance and a result, I think we got that tonight. Especially in the first half, I thought it was a hallmark us at our best; front foot, really good energy, good feel, good quality, good attitude – most importantly – and a massive win for us.

"Confidence is always a fragile thing, you can do lots of different things, but winning football matches is the only thing that gives footballers confidence, in my opinion.

"I think that was a really important moment for us, we looked like we had goals in us today, scored two, could’ve scored more.

"There are areas to improve, but I think just generally we’ll feel much better about ourselves tonight. The more games of this calibre we can win, these are the acid tests for where we want to be.

“We narrowly missed out against Chelsea last year for a semi-final, that was agonising for us, but fingers crossed we can go a step further this year.

"Despite all Chelsea’s changes we beat a very good team. Have no doubt about that.

"I have to say a special well done to Joelinton today. His versatility is just incredible, he’s such a bonus for us to be able to play him wide left, wide right, wingback, brilliant performance.

"It’s a difficult position for me to pick (left wing) because we have an array of riches on that side with Anthony (Gordon), Harvey (Barnes), Joe (Willock) and Joelinton. 

"When Joelinton and Joe Willock play together, they dovetail in that position really well. I’m not sure what the final solution to that is, other than that we have very good players competing for places, which is what we need in all areas of the pitch.

“Today, we utilised Anthony on the right of the pitch, and I thought he did fine. I thought Joelinton and Joe Willock did really well down the left, and I was delighted with the solidity they both gave us.

"He’s not your conventional winger - he’s a hybrid of different qualities, but plays the position brilliantly for me. He always has done. If someone said to me, ‘What’s Joelinton’s best position’, I’d struggle to give you one answer. 

"That’s a brilliant thing for me to have within the squad, but sometimes when you pick a team, it’s not just about having a player in a certain position, it’s about the relationships that they form around them.

"It’s the understanding, and bringing the best out of other players. I thought Joelinton and Joe Willock did that together.”

On Sandro Tonali:

"He can play a dual role, that is why we signed him. He’s not a one-dimensional player. He obviously uses the ball well, but he was very diligent defensively. That was really impressive.

That was right up there with his best performance for us. Mainly out of possession, I thought he was excellent, controlling spaces and obviously it was his pressing that led to our first goal. He had to cover a big distance to get there.”

On another home draw (v Brentford):

"Copy and paste in terms of what I say each time. I want a home draw because this place is an amazing venue to play in and that was shown again tonight.

"Sold out, great atmosphere, good performance and I hope everyone feels a bit better about themselves now."

Enzo Maresca:

"I think it works if we analyse the performance, if we analyse the result it didn’t work, but for 22-23 minutes, until their goal, we were in control. Then after the goal we lost control for 10 minutes, where we also conceded the second one.

“Again, the last 10 minutes of first half we had two clear chances that unfortunately we didn’t score. Second half we were in control of the game.

“The most important thing is the result. But the performance, I think we lost the game because of 10 minutes after the first goal we conceded, then for the rest we were quite good.

On Newcastle's performance tonight compared to last Sunday:

"I didn’t see a big difference. I think in the last game they were more or less in the same way as tonight, trying to be aggressive. Today I think we did quite well.

"The first goal is one we can avoid because we know playing through the middle, we know they are quite aggressive so the solution was to go outside but it can happen.

"I didn’t see a big difference between tonight and Sunday. For sure, they needed to win this game to build momentum because of their last results.

"We need to get better at many things but we didn’t concede any chances from their pressing three days ago because we contacted not with the first line – on Sunday it was Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo and tonight it was Renato Veiga, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella – we always tried to contact with the second line because we know they are very aggressive.

"Two days ago, we did very well and I think we did very well tonight apart from the goal we conceded. But for sure we have many things we can do better."

Following the budget announcement earlier in the day, a rise in interest rates was detected at Gallowgate on Wednesday night as Eddie Howe's side halted their recent downturn in fortunes.

A run of three season-defining games in seven days had begun badly with defeat in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday - amid fears that a Carabao Cup exit would bring added pressure on both manager and players as another route to glory was closed down.  

Instead though a place in the quarter-finals for a third successive season was achieved thanks to a performance that had welcome echoes of previous happier times, prompting renewed optimism before Saturday's visit of Arsenal and removing what had threatened to become an inferiority complex.

Gone was the passive compliance that had prompted our unkind comparison with Bruce-era sides on Sunday; replaced by a more combative midfield display and general improvement in passing quality.

And there was even a goal from a set piece - albeit a free kick rather than the elusive corner - allied to some good old-fashioned gamesmanship in the second half, Bruno Guimaraes coming off the bench to provide some particularly effective trick and treating. 

Enzo Maresca had spoken about playing in pockets after Chelsea's league victory, but his side had their pockets picked in the rematch after Newcastle twice caught them napping in the first half.

The Magpies could have been ahead before Alexander Isak's 23rd minute opener; Joelinton the width of a post from converting Isak's tempting centre from the right within the first two minutes. 

Chelsea's devotion to playing out from the back and United's energetic press prompted the first goal of the evening, Joelinton dispossess Renato Veiga on the edge of his own box and Sandro Tonali provide an instant assist for Isak to register his second strike against the Blues in four days.

Smart work by Isak three minutes later led to United doubling their lead, after a free kick routine that deceived the visitors and ended with Axel Disasi conceding an own goal from Joe Willock's header.

Kelly - one of five changes to the starting line-up from Sunday - then popped up at the other end with a vital block as Joao Felix shot from close range.

A Chelsea side entirely different to that which faced Newcastle in the Premier League but still with a value of £500m+ on paper continued to enjoy greater possession after the break, having made their only substitution just before the hour but pushed Marc Cucurella upfield to good effect.

Aside from a series of corners that zeroed in on Pope though, the closest that they came to finding the net and making a game of it was when Felix reached Tosin Adarabioyo's defence-splitting pass on 75 minutes but poked his first-time shot agonisingly wide of the target.

The manner of this victory leaves Howe with some interesting decisions regarding Saturday, not least the return of birthday boy Sean Longstaff to add grit and graft to the central area. Tonight was the longest shift that Tonali has put in and his most involved; benefiting from the initial absence of Bruno to anchor the midfield and remaining in that position when his captain appeared.  

Our own man of the match though was Emil Krafth, who gave a stoic display at right back and even found time for one Scharesque foray forward on 83 minutes, setting up substitute William Osula to rattle the Gallowgate End goal frame - the striker having replaced Isak and amply complied with what looked to be instructions of the "just run around" variety.

That would have rounded things off nicely, but the positives here were more tangible than just a place in the last eight, things that will hopefully be carried into our Premier League season. 

Biffa