Newcastle 4-1 Bradford City

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Newcastle started the defence of their League Cup with a comfortable win over League One's form side Bradford City.

This had the look of a potential banana skin given the patchy form we've been in, but once Joelinton put us ahead in the 17th minute with a tidy finish and Osula doubled the lead just two minutes later, Newcastle embarked on a heartening attacking display.

This wasn't tangibly rewarded until the 75th minute when Big Joe got his second, but there were some nerves a couple of minutes later when Toon fan Andy Cook absolutely hammered in a shot off the bar.

Any fears were ultimately allayed when Osula got a second, confidence-boosting goal at the end to cap a very encouraging display.

Into the next round with minimum fuss then, where a slightly more tricky opponent awaits with the visit of Spurs to St James'.