3 things I liked (and 2 I didn’t) from Newcastle 2-1 Fulham

Newcastle United progressed to a third League Cup semi-final in four seasons by beating Fulham 2-1 at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening.

United finally (thankfully) came out on the right side of a post-90th-minute goal as Lewis Miley scored a late winner. The other Newcastle goal came via Yoane Wissa, his first for the club, before a Sasa Lukic equaliser for Fulham.

Here are 3 things I liked (and 2 didn’t) from the game:

Disliked: Tino’s injury and no Lewis Hall

When the teams were announced pregame there was an audible sharp intake of breath in the pub as it was confirmed that Lewis Hall was not in the squad (with a small hamstring “thing”). Then with just 15 minutes left, Tino Livramento went off with a knee injury and was spotted with an ice pack on his knee in the post-game walk round, clap off – meaning we could be without a single senior fullback for Chelsea on Saturday!

A terrifying prospect and hopefully they can find a way to be available for the weekend’s game, which is another massive match, and one we really need to get some sort of positive result from to try and haul in a rival who are above us in the league.

Liked: Another excellent Lewis Miley performance

Considering the lad was out of position at RB and was coming off the back of a bruising derby performance, Miley (and let’s be clear I don’t want him there very often) put in a composed display, capped by the roof-lifting late goal.

He was barely dribbled past (although Sasa Lukic’s goal came down his side), coped well with Joe Willock not tracking back in front of him (Willock was poor again), and considering he’s not a fullback in the slightest he was excellent with the increased running, tracking back, and advancing the play down the right flank.

The late goal capped off his display, and it could be a huge moment for a side who have been on the wrong end of late goals conceded all season to finally have it go our way for once, despite a late heart in mouth moment from a 30-yard Kenny Tete drive.

Liked: Wissa finally starts and scores

Over 100 days after he signed for United, Yoane Wissa started a game and scored his first goal for the club. Yes, it was lucky as the ball came back of the Fulham ‘keeper, but that’s what we needed; a proper poacher’s goal after the recent unsuccessful tribulations of Nick Woltemade up front.

Big Nick will probably come back in against Chelsea because it’s less than 72 hours after this game, but the side looked a lot more comfortable with a striker like Wissa than they have with Woltemade recently, simply because he’s more like a certain Swede than the German.

Disliked: Still a little passive

It was a better performance than Sunday (however low that bar may be) but United were still a little passive in the first half, as Fulham passed around our midfield at times with ease with their neat little possession triangles.

It’s understandable considering just how woeful United were against the mackems, but there were still moments of passivity and sloppiness in the display, none more so than Fulham’s equaliser where Lukic just ghosted past three midfielders to plant his header into the roof of the net.

The passivity is still a strange habit for a side who have been so aggressive under Howe, however…

Liked: A reaction to Sunday’s diabolical display

It wasn’t perfect (as outlined above) but there was a reaction to the diabolical performance on Sunday and in the context of our season it could/hopefully will be/please football gods be a much-needed spark.

Also, considering the rotation and the rocket Howe is sure to have delivered to team after Sunderland, I felt there was a reaction by the players trusted to play again. And the players who were truly diabolical on Sunday were rightly rested/taken out of the firing line.

The crowd were also great when Woltemade came on, as there was a danger of him becoming a pariah, and in general stuck with the side, once again proving that there is a disconnect with the online noise around the club and the manager when compared to actual match going fans.

Baby steps, but there is no better feeling in football (well, maybe winning a trophy) than being on the right end of a late winner and let’s just hope the lads can use this to get up for the Chelsea game on Saturday.

Keep the faith. HWTL