Reigning Champions Newcastle have booked their place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup. A 2-1 win over Fulham, courtesy of Yoane Wissa first goal for the club and a 92nd minute winner from youngster Lewis Miley after Sasa Lukic’s equalizer just 6 minutes after Newcastle had initially taken the lead, made sure that the Magpies kept hopes of retaining the trophy alive.
Eddie Howe gave Nick Woltemade a rest as Yoane Wissa started up top in the 433 set up, with Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy on his left and right respectively. Lewis Miley uncharacteristically started as a right back, but he inverted into midfield in possession. Kevin, Emile Smith-Rowe and the in-form Harry Wilson were the 3 behind Raul Jimenez in Fulham’s 4231.
From minute 1, the atmosphere inside St James’ Park was a complex mixture of defiant support and lingering anxiety. Following the painful derby defeat just days prior, Newcastle United appeared to start the game with a point to prove, yet the weight of expectation was heavy against a Fulham side that looked organized and composed from the first whistle. The opening ten minutes were characterized by high-intensity pressing from the hosts, as they attempted to shake off the post-derby blues and force an early error from the visitors.
The early pressure bore fruit in the 10th minute. Jacob Murphy, a constant livewire on the flank, whipped a dangerous ball into the heart of the Fulham penalty area. Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, who had a nervous start to the match, could only manage to parry the cross directly into the danger zone. Yoane Wissa, marking his long-awaited first start for the Magpies, reacted with predatory instinct, tapping the ball into the net from point-blank range to give Newcastle a 1–0 lead and ignite the home crowd.
However, the jubilant mood was fleeting. Newcastle’s defensive frailties, which have seen them struggle to maintain clean sheets recently, were exposed just six minutes later. In the 16th minute, Antonee Robinson found space on the left and delivered a pinpoint, inviting cross toward the far post. Sasa Lukic, left completely unmarked by the Newcastle backline, rose to meet the delivery and thundered a header past Aaron Ramsdale to level the score at 1–1. The equalizer sucked the air out of the stadium, serving as a stark reminder of the challenge ahead.
As the half progressed, the match turned increasingly physical and ill-tempered. In the 23rd minute, the tension boiled over following a fierce confrontation in the middle of the pitch. Both Fabian Schär and Sasa Lukic were cautioned by the referee, receiving yellow cards for their roles in the flare-up as the official sought to regain control of a mounting battle. Despite the interruptions, Newcastle continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession between the 30th and 40th minutes.
Bruno Guimarães, the heartbeat of the Newcastle midfield, unleashed a powerful, bludgeoning effort that forced a punch away from the unconvincing Lecomte, with Wissa nearly capitalizing on the loose ball for a second. Shortly after, Jacob Murphy found himself with a clear sight of goal from close range, but his shot was heroically charged down by a sprawling block from Sander Berge, ensuring the teams went into the break level.
The second half began with tactical shifts, as Fulham manager Marco Silva replaced the booked Sasa Lukic with Harrison Reed in an attempt to provide more defensive stability. Newcastle remained the more proactive side, testing Lecomte’s unsteady hands again in the 51st minute. Harvey Barnes struck a low grass-cutter shot that the keeper spilled, though the rebound fortunately only resulted in a corner for the hosts rather than a goal.
The game entered a more tentative phase around the hour mark, with play frequently interrupted by fouls and stoppages. In the 65th minute, Joe Willock required extensive medical treatment after suffering a heavy blow. During this medical break, Eddie Howe was seen animatedly giving instructions to his players, demanding they be more clinical and aggressive in their pursuit of a winner.
The match reached a fever pitch in the 69th minute during a sequence of high drama. Jacob Murphy again delivered a wicked cross into the box that Joachim Andersen, under pressure, inadvertently turned into his own net. St James’ Park erupted in celebration, believing the breakthrough had finally come, but the joy was cut short as the linesman’s flag went up. The goal was ruled out because Murphy had been flagged for being offside when he received a slide-rule pass from Guimarães earlier in the move.
In response to the deadlock, both managers turned to their benches in the 72nd and 74th minutes. Howe introduced Sandro Tonali and Nick Woltemade to bolster the attack, while Silva brought on the blistering speed of Adama Traoré and Joshua King to exploit any gaps on the counter-attack. However, Newcastle’s momentum was hampered in the 76th minute by a significant injury concern; Tino Livramento was forced to limp off with a knee injury, replaced by Alex Murphy, adding to a growing defensive crisis for the Magpies.
As the clock ticked toward the final whistle, the tension became almost unbearable. In the 82rd minute, Nick Woltemade entered the book for a tactical foul as Newcastle desperately sought to maintain their attacking rhythm. Howe made a final double substitution in the 85th minute, throwing on Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga in a final roll of the dice.
The decisive moment finally arrived two minutes into stoppage time. Following a frantic scramble in the Fulham box, Newcastle earned a corner. Sandro Tonali stepped up and delivered a precise, curving ball into the six-yard box. Lewis Miley, the 19-year-old local hero, rose highest among a crowd of players to power a header into the net. The stadium exploded into raptures as the teenage midfielder secured a dramatic 2–1 victory at the death. The final whistle signaled Newcastle’s ninth consecutive win in the competition, confirming their place in the semi-finals and providing a much-needed morale boost after a difficult week.
