Newcastle United sealed a narrow 1-0 victory over League Two opponents AFC Wimbledon, thanks to a composed penalty from Fabian Schar, securing their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. This victory also marks the end of Wimbledon’s cup journey as they prepare to face Chelsea in an all-Premier League clash later this month.
The match, initially rescheduled and then moved to St. James’ Park due to pitch issues, highlighted a significant gap in the league standings between the two teams, who are separated by 72 places. Eddie Howe made eight changes to his squad following the weekend’s draw with Manchester City, but his side struggled to break through Wimbledon’s determined defense until the closing moments of the first half.
Miguel Almiron was brought down by Joe Pigott in stoppage time, leading to Schar stepping up to take the penalty. He executed it with precision, finding the back of the net to secure a slim lead for Newcastle while the performance left some room for improvement.
In more encouraging news for the Magpies, Howe was able to test out new signing Will Osula, a 21-year-old striker acquired from Sheffield United for £10 million. With Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson on the sidelines due to injuries, Osula showcased his potential, providing a much-needed attacking option. Howe previously resorted to using Anthony Gordon as a makeshift striker against Manchester City.
As 2023 finalists, Newcastle will now prepare for their upcoming fourth-round showdown against Chelsea, scheduled for the end of October.
Howe Expresses Frustration Over Team’s Performance
After the match, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe commented, “It’s job done. Progressing to the next round is our top priority in these competitions. It was a challenging game, and I was frustrated with our attacking play, particularly in the first half. We didn’t move the ball fast enough or demonstrate enough dynamism. However, on a positive note, our defense was solid.”
Carabao Cup Fourth-Round Draw
The draw for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup includes the following matchups:
- Brentford vs Sheffield Wednesday
- Southampton vs Stoke City
- Tottenham vs Manchester City
- Newcastle vs Chelsea
- Manchester United vs Leicester
- Brighton vs Liverpool
- Preston vs Arsenal
- Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Key Dates for the Competition
- Quarter-final: Week commencing December 16
- Semi-final: First leg week commencing January 6, 2025; second leg week commencing February 3, 2025
- Final: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Credit: Sky Sports
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