Eddie Howe replaced his entire Newcastle outfield after their 8-0 win over Sheffield United on Sunday, with only goalkeeper Nick Pope remaining in the lineup.
Paul Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles made their season debuts at center-back, while Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, and Lewis Miley made their full debuts against the treble champions.
Joelinton made an unexpected return to the starting lineup after missing the previous three games due to a knee injury. A nice fitness boost for Howe’s squad, who are dealing with a number of fitness issues ahead of the weekend.
Manchester City dominated possession in the first 45 minutes and spent the majority of it in Newcastle’s half, highlighting the Magpies’ makeshift lineup. Despite this, Pope was only tested once, by an angled Julian Alvarez strike, as the new-look backline of Livramento, Lascelles, Dummett, and Matt Targett held them off.
The highlight of the first half for the hosts was arguably Dummett’s last-ditch challenge to deny Jack Grealish from breaking through on goal. A challenge that summed up the Geordie defender’s spectacular comeback.
While Newcastle labored in the first half, they remained in the tie by going in goalless.
Eddie Howe’s game-changing substitutes, such as Anthony Gordon, excite the fans.
Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley both played only 45 minutes in their full debuts, unable to make an impression in the face of City’s dominance. The debuts of Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon quickly changed the game in The Magpies’ favor, as they began the second half on the front foot and never looked back.
Anthony Gordon’s ferocious attack on Mateo Kovacic in front of Pep Guardiola minutes into the second half energised the previously tepid fans at St James’ Park. And there was no surprise when Newcastle scored shortly later to cap up their second-half comeback.
Some excellent work by Joelinton was sent into the box by Jacob Murphy, who cut the ball back across goal for Alexander Isak to turn in from close range. Newcastle led 1-0, and it was difficult to dispute with the result.
Despite Man City’s domination in the first half, their attack lacked energy and drive, allowing Newcastle to keep them at bay. But Joelinton’s offensive quality and conviction were decisive in opening the door for City.
Newcastle now had something to hang onto for the remaining 40 minutes or so.
Newcastle’s current and former stars steal the show.
Man City pushed Newcastle to score an equalizer, bringing on Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes, and Jeremy Doku to challenge Newcastle’s defense. But Pope only had to make one more routine save from Grealish to keep Newcastle’s fourth consecutive clean sheet.
Newcastle’s defense was the perfect blend of old and new; it shouldn’t have worked so well, but it did, with Lascelles and Dummett rolling back the years to forge a fearsome alliance, while Livramento shined in his maiden start at right-back. Targett, at left-back, has also been denied regular first-team action this season, but he got into the game and had tremendous composure, particularly in the second half.
Newcastle’s lack of quality squad depth in some areas was heavily debated at halftime, but sentiments had shifted dramatically by the end of the game. Players like Dummett, who was effectively forgotten about in terms of the first-team and considered as a training ground player, shown that he can still be useful to Newcastle on the pitch against high-level opponents.
He may now fade into obscurity, but the 32-year-old earned his standing ovation after leaving the game with cramp in the closing stages.
Newcastle was dealing with a number of new injury and conditioning problems.
During the game, Isak was forced to withdraw due to a calf injury, while Guimaraes appeared to be struggling with his ankle once more. Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, and Martin Dubravka were also absent due to injury.
Despite his withdrawal, Isak admitted that he ‘thinks’ he’s okay.
“I hope he [Isak] is okay, he’s got a tight calf and we’re nursing a few problems right now,” Howe added afterwards. The roster is stretched, which is why the team has changed.
“Wilson was ruled out due to hamstring tightness, and Sven Botman has a knee injury.” Bruno sprained his ankle, and Paul Dummett cramped. Dan Burn and Martin Dubravka were not feeling good.”
Newcastle United’s cup’misfortune’ continues with a test against Manchester United.
Newcastle has not fared well in recent cup draws. After drawing ‘the best club team in the world’ in the third round of the Carabao Cup, their prize for beating them is a trip to cup holders Manchester United in the following round.
Although Newcastle defeated Manchester United at St James’ Park in April, the game will be a rematch of last season’s Carabao Cup final, which Erik Ten Hag’s side won 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.
Magpies are a type of bird.
Newcastle will meet Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League ‘group of death,’ which also includes AC Milan, in less than a month. While Howe’s team can’t seem to get a break with their cup draws, it appears they have rapidly returned to form with three victories, a draw, and no goals conceded since the international break.
With a record league away win at Sheffield United, a cup victory against Manchester City, a return to the Champions League at AC Milan, and a win against Brentford to kick things off, it’s difficult to think of a greater fortnight of football in Newcastle’s recent history.
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