But what did we learn from yesterday's game?
Most certainly that Rafa got it WRONG playing Matz Sels rather than Karl Darlow.
The fans knew it ... but the former Liverpool manager defied their wishes for Darlow to stay between the sticks.
Why? Well Rafa brought Sels to the club and he seems determined to justify that decision, even though the Belgian is like a fish out of water.
Having made six changes for the Blackburn game, that backfired, we expected the strongest team to face Hull, what with Wembley so close.
But we suffered because of a bizarre team selection.
Benitez recalled Matz Sels to the starting XI for the game. But the summer signing had a forgettable night at the KCOM Stadium.
Sels was at fault for Robert Snodgrass' 99th-minute equaliser, having parried a shot from Markus Henriksen.
Sels wasn't able to stop any of Hull's three penalties, though he did get a hand to Tom Huddlestone's spot-kick.
Newcastle might still be in the cup had Karl Darlow, so impressive in recent months, been in goal.