A magical night at St James’ Park as second half strikes from Dan Burn and Joelinton sent Eddie Howe’s Mags into the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
The 2-0 win sends us into the last four of a competition for the first time since 2005, allowing fans to not just dream but genuinely BELIEVE we might just win something within 18 months of this exciting new era at Newcastle United.
There were special scenes inside St James’ Park from start to finish. Wor Flags’ ‘bring your scarf’ added a buzz to an already brilliant occasions and an big Joe took his goal superbly to seal the victory, but the night belonged to Burn.
The Geordie giant grew up a Newcastle United season ticket holder, so it was quite fitting that the big man from Blyth broke the deadlock with a superb finish in font of the Gallowgate End. Not just his first goal in a black and white shirt, but one that unlocked the door to send us into the semi-finals.
Ironically, he missed a sitter with his head moments earlier, yet this one was a right-footed effort slid into the far corner after he burst into the box and muscled his way past two in blue. I’m not sure what was better, the finish, the knee-slide or the dance in the dressing room after the game!
Fairytale stuff, and the same could be said for Joelinton. The Brazilian’s turnaround on Tyneside has been nothing short of incredible, making his hand in both goals quite fitting. Not for the first time since Howe’s arrival, he was a monstrous presence, yet this time he had a goal and an assist to show for his efforts.
While both goalscorers deserve huge praise, it was great to see Bruno Guimaraes back to his best in the middle. Miggy was electric and Joe Willock also feels like one of our unsung heroes on the night, as his energy, pressing, ability to carry the ball at pace and create space for others was a constant thorn in Leicester’s side tonight.
If the truth be told, we could’ve been out of sight at half time. Longstaff missed one early sitter and struck another huge chance too close to Ward. Guimaraes saw several efforts efforts from the edge of the box flash wide and Wilson also failed to make the most of an opening created by Almiron.
Nevertheless, we kept at it and got our rewards, as Burn’s 60th minute opener was followed by a lovely team goal dispatched by Joelinton just 12 minutes later.
Leicester did have two huge chances to pull a goal back, as Jamie Vardy somehow dragged a glaring opportunity wide, going close moments later as a rooted Nick Pope watched his shot from the angle flash past his far post. Perhaps the ‘your lass is a grass’ chants put him off!
In the end, however, we were good value for a comfortable win, with 22 shots, more possession, 12 corners to Leicester’s four and nine shots on target to just the one mustered by the Foxes.
Next up, the Carabao Cup draw tomorrow night, where one of Man Utd, Man City/Southampton or Nottingham Forest/Wolves await, followed by the return of Premier League football as Fulham travel to St James’ Parktown on Sunday.
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson Joelinton.
SUBS: Darlow, Lascelles Saint-Maximin, Ritchie, Isak, Manquillo, Wood, Murphy, Anderson.
Who the hell valued Anthony Gordon at 45 million? I have said quite a few times on here that he is a niggly little shoit. What does he do today – give away a stupid foul so JWP can have a pop from 25 yards. Pickford didnt even move.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What the hell has happened to Liverpool? 3-0 loss to Brighton 😳😳
Gilly Toon(Quote)