SOUTHAMPTON: Eddie Howe warned Newcastle that they are not safe for the League Cup final after a 1-0 win over Southampton early this morning.

Joelinton scored the only goal of the game in the second half at St Mary’s to put Newcastle ever closer to a domestic championship final since 1999.

Southampton’s Duje Caleta-Car was sent off at the end of a tense game after Adam Armstrong’s equalizer for Nathan Jones’ side was disallowed by VAR for handball.

Newcastle may qualify for Wembley ahead of the tie at St James’ Park on January 31, meeting winners Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in the final.

“It was a good day but there is still a long way to go in this meeting. Happy to win, that’s our goal, but we realize 1-0 is too thin.

“It’s a tough game. I think both teams have had their chances. Nobody’s got the upper hand yet. We go back to St James’ with the fans behind us,” said Howe.

Howe, however, admitted his side were lucky when Armstrong’s equalizer was disallowed: “I thought it was a goal. It was a relief when VAR stepped in.”

Newcastle enjoyed an excellent season under Howe, finishing third in the Premier League and reaching their first semi-final of the domestic championship since 2005.

The last time they won a domestic trophy was in the 1995 FA Cup.

Their last final ended in defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the 1999 FA Cup.