A stoppage-time header from teenage defender Lewis Miley sent Newcastle United into the Carabao Cup semi-finals, but the 2-1 victory over Fulham at St James' Park felt like only a partial remedy for the wounds inflicted by Sunday's derby defeat at Sunderland.
A Timely Tonic After Derby Despair
The match was framed as a test of Newcastle's immediate response to their humbling 3-0 loss at the Stadium of Light. The nature of that defeat – with a season-low expected goals (xG) of just 0.26 – had left a stench that manager Eddie Howe demanded be cleansed. Another game so soon was both a blessing and a curse, with only the result determining which.
The hosts started brightly and were rewarded when Yoane Wissa, making his full debut following his £55 million summer move from Brentford, opened the scoring after just 10 minutes. The striker showed sharp instincts, pouncing after Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte fumbled Fabian Schar's cross.
However, the lead was short-lived. Just six minutes later, Sasa Lukic was left completely unmarked to head home Antonee Robinson's cross, exposing a disorganised Newcastle midfield. The equaliser made it feel like a case of one step forward and one step back for Howe's side.
Miley Emerges as the Geordie Hero
After a first half of scarce chances and plentiful nerves, the second period saw Newcastle improve on their derby display without finding a cutting edge. Bruno Guimaraes, who had labelled the Sunderland loss "embarrassing", was the driving force in midfield, leading the search for a winner.
As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, the tie seemed destined for penalties. But Lewis Miley had other ideas. The 6ft 4in defender rose highest in the second minute of added time to meet Sandro Tonali's corner and power a header past Lecomte, sending the Gallowgate End into raptures.
It was a moment of pure catharsis for the home support. Miley, a local teenager, had delivered a man's goal when his team and manager needed it most, securing a place in the last four and keeping alive the dream of retaining the club's first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Wissa's Promising Debut Overshadowed by Late Drama
Beyond the result, a significant positive for Newcastle was the performance of Yoane Wissa. After an autumn spent injured, the striker's energy and nuisance value were evident from the start. His willingness to demand the ball and his predatory finish offered a glimpse of the threat he could provide in the absence of the injured Alexander Isak.
The victory, however, came at a potential cost. Defender Tino Livramento was forced off with a leg injury, leaving Howe with just two fit senior defenders heading into the busy festive fixture schedule.
For Fulham and manager Marco Silva, it was a cruel defeat after they had grown into the game and looked the more likely winners in the final 10 minutes. They were left to rue Miley's late intervention, which ensures Newcastle's Carabao Cup defence continues into the new year.
