Newcastle United with the 1974 Texaco Cup. During my research for an article based on the infamous Texaco Cup, one thing seems confusing. At the group stage, Newcastle was paired with Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Carlisle, losing to Sunderland, drawing with Carlisle and beating Boro, ending up with 3pts. Carlisle, on the other hand, having won against Boro and sharing the spoils with the black cats, with a draw against the Magpies, ended up with 4pts. How come Newcastle progressed to the next round to play their Scottish counterparts Aberdeen? I'm sure there's a simple explanation. GOOGLE.CO.UK Image: Newcastle United team photographs from down the years - Chronicle Live Found on Google from chroniclelive.co.uk It seems that the answer lies in the fact that Newcastle picked up a bonus point courtesy of their 4-0 thrashing against Middlesbrough. Level on 4 points with Carlisle, but a superior goal difference.