Residents of Wembley can anticipate boisterous renditions of the Blaydon Races when Newcastle make their maiden appearance in a major final this century at the end of February. Local hero Sean Longstaff, born in North Shields, scored the two goals in the second leg that helped Eddie Howe’s team win the Carabao Cup semi-final, triggering wild celebrations on Tyneside.
Newcastle had the opportunity to win their first trophy since the Fairs Cup in 1969, over 24 years after losing the 1999 FA Cup final to Manchester United. Little wonder that several older supporters were seen leaving St. James’ Park in tears.
Bruno Guimares will almost probably start the final, but Howe’s midfield engine will miss the next three Premier League games against West Ham, Bournemouth, and Liverpool after being sent off in the 82nd minute for stamping on Sam Edozie’s ankle. Although the Brazilian very definitely did not want to injure Edozie, his reckless and hazardous challenge, which could have resulted in a fractured limb, resulting in the referee, Paul Tierney, upgrading his caution to a red card following a VAR review.
“I believe it was a poorly-timed challenge, and it doesn’t look good,” said Howe, who attempted and failed to acquire center midfield cover before the transfer window’s closure. “I found the red card to be excessive. It’s a major setback for us.”
Newcastle reach Carabao Cup final
Nothing could remove the joy from the face of the Newcastle boss. “I feel well, very nice,” he remarked. “I’m very proud of the lads, it was a fantastic opening twenty minutes from us, and I’m delighted Sean gets the headlines; he’s a true Newcastle man and an outstanding player. He has been instrumental this season.”
Five minutes after a tremendously emotive kickoff amid a sea of black and white scarves and flags and a solid wall of noise, Longstaff scored. Five minutes after Longstaff’s brilliantly slanted shot went across Gavin Bazunu and into the far corner, the music began to play “We’re Going to Wemberlee” repeatedly. St. James’s Park was delighted when Newcastle led 2-0 on aggregate.
Kyle Walker-Peters, the left wing-back for Nathan Jones’s team, was powerless to prevent Kieran Trippier from sashaying past him and setting up Longstaff for a brilliantly crafted goal, which began when Guimares’s dancing feet carried the Brazilian past a pair of bewildered midfield minder. Southampton was in dire straits after failing to track Longstaff’s blindside run into the box late in the game.
Joe Willock passed the ball to Miguel Almirón after Lyanco failed to stop his advance as he played a brilliant one-two with Joelinton. The generally uncharacteristically quiet Paraguayan crossed quickly and low into the path of the onrushing Longstaff, who again blasted into the bottom corner for his second goal.
Formerly out of form and suffering from moderate melancholy, Longstaff now ranks among England’s top midfielders. “This is a wonderful and emotional evening for everyone in Newcastle,” he stated. “It has been so long since such a night occurred here. If you had predicted this 12 months ago, people would have laughed at you.
Adam Armstrong and Ché Adams
When Willock temporarily lost concentration, Southampton reminded everyone of the team that had tightened up the first leg. Adam Armstrong and Ché Adams were charged with putting a stop to Nick Pope’s amazing streak of clean sheets. But only Adams was successful.
Adams insured that Howe’s streak of 10 consecutive saves ended when, after intercepting Willock’s sloppy pass. He took a steadying touch and hammered the ball beyond the England goalkeeper from nearly 25 yards out. Howe stated, “Southampton’s goal altered the dynamic; a portion of our problem was psychological; we were under pressure.”
Jones is not opposed to rearranging formations, and in an attempt to change the narrative. Southampton switched to a back four at the start of the second half with beneficial results. Invigorated by the arrival of Roméo Lavia and Romain Perraud, his team significantly improved in the subsequent 45 minutes.
Armstrong, a former Newcastle striker, squandered a magnificent opportunity before Guimares’ departure gave Gallowgate Enders a slightly tense conclusion.
Jones stated, “We gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the first twenty minutes.” However, our response was amazing, and I believe we were the superior team thereafter. His only concern was that Longstaff had already purchased the Wembley ticket for Newcastle.
