At the start of the season Pardew laid out his list of priorities, saying the FA Cup was the competition Newcastle were going out to win ... with Europe a long shot; and the League Cup the bottom of the pile.
But, as United crashed out at the first time of asking, the Mackems and Smogs go head-to-head on Tuesday evening.
Giving one of them a place in the quarter final - just two steps from Wembley.
Chelsea play Manchester United, dumping one of the high-flyers out at the fourth round stage; and North London pair Arsenal and Spurs play Premiership opposition away from home.
The Mackems are 10/1 to win the competition ... and how sick would we look if the buggers won it!
League Cup Fourth round
Sunderland v Middlesbrough
Swindon v Aston Villa
Wigan v Bradford
Leeds v Southampton
Norwich v Tottenham
Liverpool v Swansea
Chelsea v Manchester United
Reading v Arsenal
BETTING TO WIN THE COMPETITION
Chelsea 9/2 Arsenal 5/1
Manchester Utd 13/2 Liverpool 13/2
Tottenham 7/1 Sunderland 10/1
Aston Villa 14/1 Swansea 20/1
Wigan 20/1 Southampton 28/1
Norwich 28/1 Leeds 33/1
Reading 40/1 Middlesbrough 50/1
Swindon 100/1 Bradford 250/1