Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle - Carabao Cup RECAP: Magpies triumph on penalties after Taiwo Awoniyi blazed over

Right, it;'s time for me to head off quickly, the third-round draw is calling.

Newcastle United will be in it thanks to a penalty shootout win away at Nottingham Forest and the celebrations are still ongoing.

West Ham, Wolves, Southampton, and Brentford are all also through, but Ipswich Town have been knocked out by League Two Wimbledon.

I didn't want to French exit, but it really is time for me to head over to the next blog, please join me in doing so.

See you there!

To anyone who says the League Cup doesn't matter, try telling Newcastle that.

It's party time for the Magpies as the players head to celebrate with the away end.

Bruno Guimaraes is pumped, showing raw emotion as he thanks the fans.

Penalties are always the best way to win.

Sean Longstaff to win it for Newcastle...

He buries his spot kick and the away end goes berserk.

The Magpies are through to round three of the League Cup!

It's time for Nottingham Forest's fifth kick, it's sudden death now.

Taiwo Awoniyi steps up... and oh my word, he smashes it miles over the bar.

A shocking penalty.

Can Anthony Gordon bring Newcastle level?

Yes, he can, that's a superb penalty into the bottom left-hand corner.

Oh no!

Ibrahim Sangare smashes his spot kick against the bar.

Newcastle's skipper is up next, he has to see to keep them in his shootout.

He does, and expertly.

Can Neco Williams take advantage?

He can, the full-back smashes the ball into the net from 12 yards.

Joelinton makes his way to the spot.

He races to it... and Carlos Miguel saves, what a superb stop.

The City Ground erupts.

Nikola Milenkovic next for the hosts.

He simply rolls it in, Nick Pope goes the wrong way.

Alexander Isak is next...

He never usually misses from the spot, can he do the same today.

Of course, he can!

Callum Hudon-Odoi walks up to the spot first for Forest.

He stutters... and SCORES!

A confident penalty.

Here we go then...

The referee talks to both Nick Pope and Carlos Miguel as the teams take their place on the halfway line.

Can either keeper be the hero?

Pope will be the first to face a penalty...

Before we see spot kicks at the City Ground, let's take a look at the other shootout that happened tonight.

Ipswich Town have succumbed to League Two Wimbledon and some of their penalties were poor - Omari Hutchinson's in particular.

Wimbledon's weren't, though. Watch how they got the win.

Off to penalties, we go!

Jota's second-half screamer means that the two Premier League sides can not be separated after 90 minutes.

Thankfully, there is no extra-time and we head straight to deciding the match from 12 yards.

Who will hold their nerve?

Penalties inbound?

Unless there is a goal in the five minutes of stoppage time, we are heading for spot kicks.

Carlos Miguel makes up for his early error with a brilliant save.

Lewis Hall has a crack again but this time he gets a hold of the ball excellently.

He smashes it toward the top corner but Miguel leaps across to turn it away from goal.

An important stop.

Is this the shock of the round?

League Two AFC Wimbledon reign supreme on penalties against Premier League Ipswich.

After a 2-2 draw, the Dons beat the Tractor Boys 4-2 on spot kicks to seal a spot in round three.

What a result!

Oh, I thought that was the moment!

The ball heads Harvey Barnes' way in the box and you know exactly what is coming.

The winger blasts the ball as hard as he can and for a brief second I thought it went in.

But the ball actually hits the side-netting and fools the Newcastle away end.

The final whistle has blown in many of our other games around the country.

There was late drama in South Wales as Southampton netted twice in stoppage-time to win an eight-goal thriller against Cardiff.

But what were the other results? Here you go:

• Cardiff City 3-5 Southampton
• Colchester United 0-1 Brentford
• Swansea City 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers

Oooooooh...

How are your nerves, Ipswich fans?

Conor Chaplin's late equaliser means that the Tractor Boys now face a penalty shootout against Wimbledon.

The shock result is still on, but anything can happen when it comes to spot kicks.

Boy, am I glad to see the end of this one.

It's not unfair to say that this was not the best of matches, it seemed destined for penalties.

That was until Jarrod Bowen netted one of the most unusual goals of his career.

The skipper has sent the Hammers through to the third round.

The last throw of the dice from Nuno Espirito Santo.

He belatedly surprised Anthony Elanga by calling him on for the final few minutes.

The winger replaces former Magpie Elliot Anderson, who gave it a good go against his former side.

Shouts of 'wheyyyy' ring around the ground as Lewis Hall fluffs his lines.

I mean, it wasn't a very good effort from the full-back.

The ball falls to him outside the area and he just decides to have a pop, but drags it slowly and painfully wide of the post.

Come on guys, do something!

There are just 15 minutes left in this match and I have no idea which way it's going to go.

Newcastle have started to buck up their ideas, but they are still struggling to create anything worthwhile.

It feels like we are destined for penalties.

The captain wins it at the death!

Jarrod Bowen has surely sent West Ham through to the next round, and it has to be one of the luckiest goals I have seen in a while.

Mohammed Kudus has a crack at goal and it bounces off the West Ham skipper and into the net.

It's been a poor game, and that type of goal is befitting of it.

Conor Chaplin may have just saved Ipswich from a shock defeat.

He has netted an 86th-minute equaliser at Wimbledon to surely take the game to penalties.

It's no over yet, but it looks like it's time for some spot kicks.

Substitutions are trying to give yellow cards a run for their money.

There are two more for Nottingham Forest with both Neco Williams and Callum Hudson-Odoi now on.

Eric Moreira and Ramon Sosa are the pair to make way.

All the updates are yellow cards!

there is a fourth of the games as Lewis Hall goes into the book for a late challenge.

He tries to argue, but I have no idea why. A blatant booking.

Wolves are in the hat for round three.

Goncalo Guedes' first goals for the club in over 18 months get the job done for the Premier League side.

In truth, it was pretty much one-way traffic from the word go.

Burnley did have their moments but ultimately were beaten by the stronger side tonight.

Ah, just as I say that...

Jota's eventful night is now over as he is replaced by Ibrahim Sangare, and the crowd give him a standing ovation.

Zach Abbott is also off and Nikola Milenkovic is the player who comes on for him.

There is also a triple change for the visitors with Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento, and Sean Longstaff all entering the action.

Nottingham Forest are all over Newcastle now.

Jota is getting involved and is hunting every Geordie defender down like a dog.

The crowd is loving it!

What do they say again... London buses?

We didn't see a booking in the first half but now we have seen three as Zach Abbott is shown a yellow card.

That certainly won't be the last shown the way this game is going.

Jota is really involved in the action now.

He gets hacked down by Bruno Guimaraes and the Brazilian is rightfully booked.

However, Jota is then also shown a yellow for asking the referee to book Guimaraes.

The attacker is really in the thick of it!

What a finish that is from Jota!

The summer signing thunders one into the top corner on his home debut for the club.

I mean, it really is one hell of a strike. It sits up nicely and he just whacks it top bins.

That's how you introduce yourself to the fans.

Nottingham Forest have safely got through the first minute of this half unscathed. I guess that's an achievement.

The crowd have been fairly quiet at times tonight ut have just woken up to boo Alexander Isak.

Why?

Just because the forward landed awkwardly after a 50/50 with Elliot Anderson, his former team-mate.

The Swede does not look comfortable.

It's time for more action at the City Ground as the visitors get the ball rolling once more.

I suspect we won't get the fast start that we did in the first, but you never know.

Let's just hope for a belting half of football.

These matches really are delivering!

There is a cracker ongoing in south Wales and it is currently 3-3 between Cardiff and Southampton.

there have been three goals inside the first 12 minutes of the second half.

Three times the Saints have led, and three times they have been pegged back. Alex Robertson has just equalised two minutes after Cameron Archer fired the Saints in front.

Elsewhere, there is a shock on the cards in south London...

Matt Stevens has just completed Wimbledon's turnaround at home to Ipswich Town. They lead 2-1.

There are fast starts, and then there are fast starts!

Newcastle got off to a lightning one thanks to Joe Willock and if you haven't seen it, here is your chance.

It's fair to say, Carlos Miguel will not want to watch it back after the game, but he will be forced to.

Newcastle fans, however, enjoy.

Craig Hope, Mail Sport, at the City Ground:

A Tonali masterclass so far. It's as if he's playing with batteries in his boots, running harder & faster than the rest. As for his passing - first time, breaking the lines, accurate - that too has been a different level.

Michael Dawson, former Nottingham Forest defender, on Sky Sports:

Really disappointing [goal to concede] from a Nottingham Forest point of view. It was a good strike from Isak. An absolute disaster fro Forest.

Our five 19:45 matches are now back underway.

How many more goals will we get to see? Hopefully lots, I love reporting them.

there were a fair few in the first-half, so I expect more of that!

The whistle has been blown at the City Ground.

This match got off to a storming start with Joe Willock scoring after 18 seconds.

However, it has not continued in that same vain, the pace dropped minute-by-minute as the half went on.

It's all still to play for in the East Midlands.

That is an absolute peach of a cross, but it is criminally not turned home by a Nottingham Forest player.

The ball is whipped into the six-yard box with Nick Pope not knowing whether to stay or go.

He stays and the ball beats nearly everybody before Taiwo Awoniyi heads wide.

A waste!

Another for Goncalo Guedes!

This time it's a hell of a goal from the Portuguese attacker as he races in behind and chips into the back of the net.

Daniel Podence spots the forward on his bike and then he does the rest in style.

It's hard to see Burnley coming back into this now.

The fast-paced play in this game is long gone, and I really miss it.

The last few minutes has seen both teams just knock it about casually when they have the ball.

Joe Willock's opener feels like a lifetime ago.

Newcastle have lost all of their early momentum.

Those crisp passes have turned into sloppy ones and suddenly Nottingham Forest are taking control.

What a weird first half we have witnessed.

Just like that, the action is back on at Molineux.

Can Burnley make Wolves rue their missed chances, or will the hosts pull away from the Clarets?

I guess we are about to find out.

Craig Hope, Mail Sport, at the City Ground:

Tonali's back on. Exhaustion, probably. He's run harder and faster than anyone here.

Sandro Tonali needs medical attention, this doesn't look good.

I believe he took an arm to the face, but it's actually unclear what happened.

Luckily for the away side, he serves his time off the pitch and is back on.

Eddie Howe can breathe a sigh of relief!

Right, the goals are really starting to fly in toward the end of the half.

Brentford took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Kean Lewis-Potter away at Colchester.

Meanwhile, Omar Bugiel has pulled Wimbledon level against Premier League side Ipswich Town.

Here are the half-time scores in full:

• Wolves 1-0 Burnley
• AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Ipswich Town
• Cardiff City 1-2 Southampton
• Colchester United 0-1 Brentford
• Swansea City 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers
• West Ham 0-0 Bournemouth

The whistle has gone for half-time at Molineux.

The hosts have been dominant and may feel like they should be out of sight.

However, Goncalo Guedes' goal has given them a slender lead, with Burnley still in the hunt.

That is not too far away from Joelinton.

Harvey Barnes breaks away down the left and jinks inside before finding the Brazilian.

The midfielder is in acres of space and lines up a strike on the edge of the area.

He pulls the trigger but the ball whistles just past the post.

The early intensity from Newcastle seems to have wavered.

However, that's not necessarily a bad thing for them as they are now in full control of this match.

Sandro Tonali is thriving in the middle and comes very close to sliding Miguel Almiron through.

The midfielder looks like he has never been away.

Eddie Howe is not a happy man.

Why you ask?

Well, Joe Willock, who opened the scoring, is limping off with an injury after just 15 minutes.

It means Bruno Guimaeres' rest doesn't last long, and he takes the captain's armband off Kieran Trippier...

My word, the Cardiff City stadium is bringing all the goals in for team 19:45 kick-offs at the moment.

Southampton were pegged back by Championship side Cardiff after Mateus Fernandes fired them into an early lead.

However, they are now back in front thanks to Samuel Amo-Ameyaw.

Cardiff's goal in between the two Sants efforts was a cracker by Ruben Colwill, a real scorcher.

Craig Hope, Mail Sport, at the City Ground:

It's been quite a start for Tonali! He started the move that led to the goal with a clever flick inside his own half, and he could have soon scored when sent clear only for the keeper to block his effort. He certainly looks fit!

Nick Pope, you are a lucky lad!

The Newcastle goalkeeper misjudged a cross as Jota comes steaming in and the ball begins to head toward the net.

But Dan Burn saves the day and races back to hook the ball away.

Goncalo Guedes is back in the goals for Wolves!

He nets for the first time for the West Midlands side since January 2023 and it's been coming.

Pedro Lima finds Guedes, Vaclav Hladky doesn't deal with it, and Guedes slides the ball home.

Nearly the perfect return for Sandro Tonali!

he doesn't seem to have any ring rust as he goes through and looks to double Newcastle's lead.

But this time Carlos Miguel deals with the threat and smothers his effort.

What a return that would have been.

Newcastle are ahead after 18 seconds!

Carlos Miguel has a nightmare start to his Nottingham Forest career and Joe Willock makes him pay.

Sandro Tonali gets Newcastle going straight from the first whistle and Willock then feeds through Alexander Isak.

Isak fires a tame strike at goal but Miguel can only palm it straight to Willock to tap home.

What. A. Start!

There is a minute's applause in remembrance of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who passed away aged 76 this week.

A lovely moment to remember a lovely man.

There is then a roar and the hosts get us underway.

Boy, am I pumped!

The two teams walk out of the tunnel and are welcomed by Guns N' Roses song 'Welcome to the Jungle'. What a tune.

The City Ground is in fine voice tonight, and I'm sure the atmosphere will only get louder if the hosts start well.

We will find out in just a few moments if they do.

It hasn't taken long for the first goal to fly in.

Three minutes is all it took for Ipswich to break the deadlock away at Wimbledon, and it's a former Don who has done it.

Ali Al-Hamadi haunts his former side by scoring a brilliant header to put Ipswich in front.

Vaclav Hladky, that is sensational.

The Burnley goalkeeper makes a stunning save to deny Pedro Lima from opening the scoring.

Hladcky first stops Daniel Podence's effort before Lima looks set to tuck away the rebound.

But somehow the Burnley man reacts to deny him from point-blank range. Incredible!

Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest boss, speaking to Sky Sports:

It's a good chance, this competition allows us to use the squad and I think the players can deliver.

Very important [competition] as we need solutions and we need everyone ready.

We are in a good moment and the players are in a good place. Everyone is working hard and I'm really positive.

Five more games are now underway.

Regular around-the-ground updates will be posted, so that you guys know whats going on.

Plenty of action to get through tonight!

Oh dear...

Aaron Cresswell has failed to make it through the warm-up and will now miss tonight's match through injury.

Vladamir Coufal instead makes his third consecutive start of the season.

I bet Sandro Tonali must be feeling fantastic.

He may not be smiling, but I'm sure inside the Italian is ecstatic to be back out on the football pitch.

It's not long until he gets his first taste of action in 10 months, only 20 more minutes until kick-off.

Let alone Tonali, I'm itching for the start of this match.

Eddie Howe, Newcastle United boss, speaking to Sky Sports:

We have tried to get the balance right - there is players that need this game. I like the team and it has a good feel about it, there is some really strong players in there and hopefully, that shows in our performance today. It is a dangerous game for us.

On Sandro Tonali starting:

He has had a really tough time. He has had an isolated period training on his own. He has had a lot of time to think and he has handled himself brilliantly. He has been an unbelievable teammate. It is not about this one game, we are getting a player back who is a top level player and it is about managing these first few games back.

Our early game is underway.

We will let you know when anything big happens in this one - I'm sure there will.

Let's hope for a cracker.

I bet these two are buzzing... I'll see myself out.

Both Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg swapped Liverpool for Brentford this summer, due to lack of game time.

Well, they are going to get many minutes tonight as they both make their first starts for the club away at Colchester.

Carvalho has already made two substitute appearances for the Bees, but Van den Berg will make his debut.

In other news, Ivan Toney is omitted from the squad again.

With kick-offs approaching, I can't neglect to let you know when the third-round draw is.

Once Nottingham Forest's clash with Newcastle finishes tonight, the draw will take place.

We will have a separate live blog for that and I will shoot over to it once all the action has finished here.

First, we need to find out who else will be in it.

Away from Nottinghamshire, there is another midfielder keen to show what they have in their locker.

That man is Kalvin Phillips, who is making his Ipswich Town debut tonight away at Wimbledon.

The last couple of years have been tough for the Yorkshireman, he has barely managed to get any minutes.

Even when he has, they have not gone well.

But his fresh start gets underway tonight, he will need to make sure he makes it count.

Craig Hope, Mail Sport, at the City Ground:

The big news here is that Sandro Tonali starts. It's a bold call by Eddie Howe, but I think it's the right one. He hasn't been absent through injury, so physically he should be in a good place.

What he needs is match sharpness, so why not start him? I'm excited to see him, given everything I've heard about the improvement he has made during the past 10 months. He could be huge for Newcastle this season.

Kieran Trippier will be a little happier tonight, I expect.

He was benched for the first two games of the season and even expressed his desire to look for a move away.

But Eddie Howe really wants him to stay and is giving him a chance to shine tonight.

Will he take it with the armband on?

I can't lie, Sandro Tonali starting has taken me a little by surprise.

I expected him to be eased back into the Newcastle side, but Eddie Howe believes he is ready.

To be fair, he has been training with the Magpies despite being banned from playing, so he is in good shape.

It will be interesting to see how he does tonight.

Just the seven changes for Bournemouth...

Marcos Senesi, Neto, Ryan Christie, and Marcus Tavernier, are the quartet that keep their spots.

Dango Ouattara starts after his dramatic late winner against Newcastle was controversially disallowed on Sunday.

Julen Lopetegui is another Premier League manager ringing the changes in the cup.

West Ham have just three starts who keep their spots tonight after the weekend's win over Crystal Palace.

Summer signings Crycensio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all make their first starts for the club tonight.

Still, it's a very strong side.

I said Mejbri...

If you haven't seen Burnley's spin on Oasis' Wonderwall in their announcement video for Hannibal Mejbri, you have to watch it.

The Manchester United loanee was only confirmed as a new signing this morning, but he already makes his first start for the Clarets.

Can he make it a winning one?

Gary O'Neil is certainly making full use of his squad this evening.

The Wolves boss has made 10 changes from the side that were hammered by Chelsea at the weekend.

Rayan Ait-Nouri is the only survivor from Sunday, while Goncalo Guedes makes his return following two loan spells last season.

Well, then Sandro Tonbali is being thrown into the deep end.

Eddie Howe decides he is ready to start in his first match back after a 10-month ban.

He slots into a midfield which includes Joe Willock and Joelinton in a strong Newcastle side.

Kieran Trippier also returns to the starting line-up and captains the side.

Nottingham Forest have named their side to do battle.

Alex Moreno is one of four summer signings to make their debuts tonight in a fresh-faced Forest side.

Taiwo Awoniyi gets the nod up top while Chris Wood starts on the bench against his former side.

A new look Forest.

As you may have noticed earlier, there are a variety of kick-off times for the matches this evening.

The earliest of those is at 19:30 BST and in that slot is a decent match to start the night as Wolves take on Burnley.

Just last season, it was a Premier League clash, and in both matches, it was very tense.

Their last encounter at Molineux ended in a Wolves win, and from what I can remember, it wasn't the most entertaining of watches.

However, tonight I expect goals....

Burnley netted 11 times in their opening two Championship matches this season, while Wolves were involved in an eight-goal thriller at the weekend.

Surely, it's going to be a cracker?

Eddie Howe, Newcastle boss, speaking on Tuesday:

Whenever you go to a new club, there is always that want to show everyone your qualities and give to the team. I’m sure all of those things are there for him. We have just handled the situation as we think best and tried to support the human rather than looking at him as a footballer, first and foremost.

But he’s a very strong guy. He’s handled this situation so well. He’s shown real strength, dignity, integrity. He’s been really strong because he’s been isolated at times. It hasn’t always been easy for him. He’s had some low moments and some lonely moments.

I think we’ll get a different player back, a stronger player mentally, someone who will enjoy his football and probably appreciate every moment, because it has been taken away from him for a long period of time. I’ve seen enough of Sandro all these months to back his ability, I still love the player. I just hope he can come in, in a calm way, and add to the team in his way.

Sandro Tonali, Newcastle midfielder, speaking on his return:

I am excited because I think I am a new player, a new transfer. I only played eight [Premier League] games last season, that was so difficult for me. I am excited to be here in Newcastle, not in another place because I have a top team, top fans and I can’t wait to come back on the pitch.

Ten months is a long time because a footballer lives for the weekend. All the people who work at Newcastle were always by my side, from day one in October. I have never been alone in this 10 months.

This is so important. It was very, very difficult for me in October and November and December. Now, I feel it is a new time. This is another point of my life.

There isn’t a single person who didn’t show me their support - the same with the fans. They gave me the same love they’d have given me if I’d been here 10 years. This made me realise what the Newcastle fans are made of. I don’t think you get this in another city. I have thought a lot about this.

Eddie [Howe] has been my first friend at Newcastle. I have spoken with him every day for 10 months. Also, the first game I could not play, against Wolves, I was in Wolverhampton with the team. Bruno (Guimaraes) and Joelinton helped me all through the night before the game. They stayed with me. They are top people. I want to thank my manager, my team and the fans.

Time moves fast, doesn't it?

I still remember when Sandro Tonali was handed a 10-month ban for illegal betting just months into his Newcastle career.

Well, tonight that ban is over.

Eddie Howe confirmed before this evening that Tonali will return to the Magpies squad for the first time since October 2023.

10 months Is a seriously long time, and as Tonali has revealed, he learned a lot during that time that has changed his perspective on life.

It may take him a while to bed back into playing competitive football, but a man of his talents should settle down sooner rather than later.

Will he get any minutes tonight, we will have to see.

As you can see by the headline, a lot of our focus this evening will be on what is happening at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest play host to Newcastle this evening in a match that usually provides a multitude of fireworks.

Last season, their two Premier League clashes brought nine goals and a win for each side.

The Magpies have won on their last two trips to the City Ground, so will be aiming to make it three on the bounce.

However, Forest have won their two most recent clashes in the League Cup back in 2017 and 2018.

Put it this way, you can find good omens for both teams in this fixture, it's a pretty even split results-wise.

All of those statistics are in the past, the key question on our lips is, who will progress to round three, this evening?

Right, now we have had a recap, let's turn our focus on what's in store tonight.

Yesterday was the appetiser, now it's time we all tuck into the main course. It should be tasty.

Here are the seven fixtures schedule for this evening:

• Wolves vs Burnley, 19:30 BST
• AFC Wimbledon vs Ipswich Town, 19:45 BST
• Cardiff City vs Southampton, 19:45 BST
• Colchester United vs Brentford, 19:45 BST
• Swansea City vs Wycombe Wanderers, 19:45 BST
• West Ham vs Bournemouth, 19:45 BST
• Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle, 20:00 BST

If you missed last night's action, there is a lot to catch up on.

Usually, I would for through each match and what happened, but when there are 18 of them, that's kind of hard.

So, you are just going to have to make do with a list of the results. Sorry, I don't make the rules... Oh wait, I do.

Here are the list of the second round results, so far:

• Middlesbrough 0-5 Stoke City
• QPR 1-1 Luton Town (QPR win 4-1 on penalties)
• Barrow 0-0 Derby County (Barrow win 3-2 on penalties)
• Grimbsy Town 1-5 Sheffield Wednesday
• Harrogate Town 0-5 Preston
• Coventry 1-0 Oxford United
• Brighton 4-0 Crawley Town
• Walsall 3-2 Huddersfield
• Everton 3-0 Doncaster
• Fleetwood 2-1 Rotherham
• Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Blackpool
• Shrewsbury 0-2 Bolton
• Millwall 0-1 Leyton Orient
• Watford 2-0 Plymouth Argyle
• Leciester City 4-0 Tranmere
• Barnsley 1-0 Sheffield United
• Birmingham 0-2 Fulham
• Crystal Palace 4-0 Norwich

The 2024-25 season is well and truly in its groove.

Last night we were treated to 18 matches in the second round of this year's Carabao Cup, and they were thoroughly entertaining.

Luckily for me and my fingers, there aren't quite as many matches tonight.

Seven more ties are in the offing, this evening, so there is still plenty for you all to get your teeth stuck into.

There are eight Premier League sides in action, with two all top-tier clashes.

We will have a strong focus on Newcastle's trip to Nottingham Forest, but don't worry, you will be kept up-to-date with what's going on elsewhere.

Anyway, let's get down to business then, shall we?