SAINTS were unable to set up a likely repeat of the 2017 EFL Cup final after a disastrous start handed Newcastle United the reigns in their semi-final second leg.

Sean Longstaff scored twice and could have had more across the night, rendering Che Adams’s outside-the-box effort obsolete in a 2-1 defeat (3-1 on aggregate).

Adam Armstrong saw a golden chance saved in the second-half during a period of relative control for Saints but it was the home side who were deserving winners.

That, despite a late red card for Bruno Guimaraes after a VAR review for serious foul play, leaving studs on the ankle of Samuel Edozie.

Nathan Jones made a tactical switch for the visit to the north-east with Jan Bednarek returning to the starting line-up and January signing James Bree making a club debut.

Adam Armstrong, returning to his former home in St James’ Park, and Che Adams were trusted to find the goals with the same midfield trio of Ibrahima Diallo, Charly Alcaraz and James Ward-Prowse behind them.

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe went unchanged from their 1-0 victory at St Mary’s to tee up the tie last Tuesday, with pantomime villain Jacob Murphy remaining on the bench.

It was the Englishman who waved off Duje Caleta-Car following his red card in that clash, with the Croatian international himself on the bench for Jones.

There was a celebratory feel around the stadium even ahead of kick-off with a live 10-minute DJ set performed by a local artist – fans had already booked hotels for the final.

It was Jones’s men’s job to spoil the party, but they only enflamed it. It took just five minutes for Longstaff’s opener.

Saints self-destructed via sloppy passing, defending and goalkeeping and the midfielder strolled into the area and finished low through Gavin Bazunu’s palm.

Longstaff had another similar chance while Bazunu was struggling to reach corner kicks, before the second goal came.

Longstaff, again running into the area, finished first-time with the help of a slight glance off Mohammed Salisu to give the home side a three-goal advantage inside 21 minutes.

During a pause in play that later followed, Jones called all XI Saints players over for an animated team meeting – Ward-Prowse and Bednarek were among the most vocal.

It seemed to get an instant response as Che Adams picked up a loose ball and drove low beyond Nick Pope for the first goal he’s conceded at St James’ Park since October.

It broke a run of 10 successive clean sheets in all matches for the Magpies but just as patterns of play started to form, Kyle Walker-Peters was forced off with injury.

There was chatter of Saints coach Alan Sheehan receiving a red card as the players headed back in for half-time, and the side emerged with two changes as Romain Perraud and Romeo Lavia came on.

The young midfielder restored control but Saints were no closer to an opening by the hour-mark, when Howe could afford to change his entire front three with quality players.

Armstrong should have levelled on the night after a splitting Lavia pass with just over 15 minutes to play, but Pope saved again.

Guimaraes, who had hit the post earlier on, was then sent off for his serious foul on Edozie leaving Ward-Prowse stood over a dangerous free-kick. His effort, sadly, was well blocked.

Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron (Murphy, 60 (Anderson, 90), Willock (Saint-Maximin, 60), Wilson (Isak, 60 (Lascelles, 90).

Unused subs: Dummett, Ritchie, Lewis, Darlow (g/k).

Sent off: Guimaraes.

Saints: Bazunu; Bree, Lyanco (Perraud, h-t), Bednarek, Salisu (Mara 88), Walker-Peters (Edozie, 37); Diallo (Aribo, 77), Alcaraz (Lavia, h-t), Ward-Prowse; A Armstrong, Adams.

Unused subs: Caleta-Car, Elyounoussi, Orsic, Mara, Caballero (g/k).

Referee: Paul Tierney.

VAR: Darren England.

Attendance: 51,975.

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