A huge roar went up inside St James' when nine minutes of stoppage time were added on. Understandably so.
It was just last week that Newcastle scored two scarcely believable late goals to defeat Leeds United in a 4-3 classic.
The home support dared to dream once more – but there was to be no grandstand finish for the hosts this time.
This time Rayan Cherki landed what felt like a mortal blow in the 98th minute as Newcastle supporters streamed out.
What a contrast to the scenes before kick-off.
The home fans certainly believed as a huge flag display depicted the Wembley arch above a banner, which read "Gannin' Alang Wembley Way".
The noise was raucous.
James Trafford, who turned down a move to Newcastle to return to Manchester City last summer, was booed mercilessly throughout. Throw-ins and corners were celebrated. The roar that greeted Semenyo’s goal being disallowed was deafening in the second half.
Eddie Howe knew his side had to feed off it and take something back to Etihad Stadium next month.
There was a different dynamic to this game compared with previous semi-finals, in 2023 and 2025, when Newcastle went away first before finishing the job off at a febrile St James'.
But this was ultimately a case of what might have been on a night they fired a rare blank.
An almighty challenge now awaits.
Newcastle have only won once at the Etihad, and Howe's side have yet to even score in the stadium since he took charge in 2021.
This team are going to have to finally overcome that hoodoo – and some – to return to Wembley.
