Newcastle United's defence of the Carabao Cup began with a 4-1 third round victory over Bradford City at St. James' Park.

The League One leaders were backed by a sizeable and vocal away following and gave a decent account of themselves against a Magpies side which, despite seven changes from their weekend Premier League draw at Bournemouth, included eight full internationals in the starting XI.

However, in the end it was a comfortable night's work for Eddie Howe's side, who so memorably won this competition at Wembley back in March. Joelinton and William Osula - both part of that historic cup-winning squad - both helped themselves to braces in front of a crowd of 51,706, with boyhood Newcastle fan Andy Cook netting for the West Yorkshire outfit.

The Bantams had their tails up early on, with debutant Aaron Ramsdale fielding a low shot from Brad Halliday, born in Redcar and briefly part of Newcastle's youth set-up, inside the first minute.

After Joelinton sent a piledriver over the bar at the other end, Ramsdale made a good save to keep out a deflected effort from Bobby Pointon, then palmed away a cross-shot from Halliday from the resulting corner.

But United never really looked back once Joelinton gave them the lead in the 17th minute. The Brazilian was making his 21st League Cup appearance for the club, moving him to joint third of all-time, and his fifth goal in the competition came when, following an incisive move, Anthony Gordon's shot was blocked but fell kindly for the Brazilian, who slotted home at the Leazes End.

Two minutes later, Osula doubled Newcastle's advantage with his second goal of the season. Captain Bruno Guimarães slid him in and the Danish forward finished well.

Osula then saw a left-footed strike blocked by the legs of Sam Walker after he raced onto Anthony Elanga's pass, then the Bradford goalkeeper denied Gordon after the England winger shot from range.

A clever turn inside the box from Osula drew another save from Walker before Guimarães fired well over as half time approached.

United continued to push in the second period, with Joelinton heading off target from an Elanga delivery then Gordon testing Walker once more.

The visitors had a rare opening when Stephen Humphrys headed straight at Ramsdale, before Guimarães clipped the top of the bar after connecting with Lewis Hall's cut-back.

Elanga was thwarted by Walker then, in the 68th minute, Gordon dragged wide, but United made it three in the 75th minute with Joelinton on target again. Guimarães teed him up and his compatriot slotted beyond Walker for his sixth goal in the League Cup. That moved him above Gavin Peacock into sixth in the all-time list.

The Bantams scored a consolation through substitute Cook - a fine finish from the Bishop Auckland-born veteran. However, the Magpies booked their place in the fourth round draw, with Harvey Barnes twice coming close to adding further goals before Osula scored the fourth from close range late on, and Cook, no doubt, will now be hoping Howe's men can lift the cup for a second season in a row while Bradford aim for back-to-back promotions.

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