Newcastle United were made to work for their 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion but just about managed to book their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Isaac Price scored twice for the Baggies but Bazoumana Toure grabbed a debut goal before Harvey Barnes came on from the bench to bag a brace to set up a difficult third round trip to Millwall next month.
Barnes leads by example after half-time introduction
Matthias Jaissle made six changes to the side who drew 2-2 with Liverpool on Sunday but it was still a strong team as the German head coach respected the desire of the fans to have another deep run in the cup. The two signings who did not feature for Newcastle on Sunday were named in the starting XI on Wednesday evening as goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure got the opportunity to prove their worth for the first time this season.
Jaouen impressed in last weekend's friendly with Strasbourg, while Toure has looked dangerous throughout the summer. Jaouen should have done better with the Baggies' opening goal, not getting a strong enough wrist to Price's free-kick but he made amends with a strong save from a free-kick late in the second half. Toure looked bright at times and made sure he was first to Dedic's cross to bundle home a debut goal. He lacked cohesion with Lewis Hall down the left-hand side, though, and was replaced at half-time by Barnes, who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
The 28-year-old reacted quickest to his shot being blocked just two minutes after the restart to fire Newcastle into a 2-1 lead and it was a clever finish late in the second half from Dedic's cross that sealed the win. Barnes said during pre-season he was ready to assume a leadership role this season and he led by example on Wednesday night when his team needed him most, firing United into the third round.
Willock's future in the spotlight
Both Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy were named in the starting XI and the question is whether it will be the last time they do so as Newcastle players. Both players are in the final years of their contract and both have transfer interest heading into the final week of the window. Their inclusion in the starting XI gave them another chance to impress Jaissle, with Willock scoring in the weekend draw with Liverpool. Alternatively, it also gave them a window to impress potential suitors, too.
As Willock was replaced in the second half, he left the pitch behind the goal at the Gallowgate End to a standing ovation. The former Arsenal midfielder gave a wave to the crowd and Newcastle now have a big decision to make over his future this week. Besiktas are keen to sign him but Jaissle would like to keep him.
Woltemade struggles as number nine
The eternal question with Nick Woltemade is how Newcastle get the best out of him. He has struggled as a 10 over the summer and Jaissle gave him a chance to prove himself this evening as a number nine. If he struggled then questions will ramp over where he fits in this Magpies squad heading into the final week of the transfer window. And struggle he did.
There were a couple of clever flicks but he was largely anonymous. He didn't initiate the press quickly enough off the ball and didn't do nearly enough on it. He hasn't given his manager a decision to make at the weekend.
Jaissle's cup pedigree and Gonzalez unveiling
Jaissle had an excellent cup record in Austria and Saudi Arabia, winning the Austrian Cup and the Asian Champions League twice. He spoke of the importance of the Carabao Cup to the Magpies and he showed he understood it with a strong team selection. Newcastle have reached the semi-finals of this competition in three of the last four seasons and they made the first step towards continuing that record on Wednesday.
He showed how much he cared in stoppage time as he looked in genuine despair as his side gave away some cheap free-kicks and was also fuming with the officiating. As the win was confirmed that fume gave way to joy and now Newcastle can look forward to a third round tie with Millwall next month.
Newcastle announced the signing of Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City ahead of kick-off and they paraded their new man to the St James' Park crowd, who chanted: 'Nico, Nico Nico'. There are high hopes for the 24-year-old on Tyneside and he is expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur. Jaissle said: “I’m very happy to see Nico become a Newcastle United player. He brings serious quality and elite experience in a key area of the pitch. Nico is a really strong ball carrier - somebody who can drive the team forward while staying composed under pressure. He also brings discipline defensively, he reads the game well and his physicality makes him well suited to the Premier League. Nico is a proven winner who has already played at some huge clubs in Europe’s top leagues, but he’s also still young and hungry to develop further. He is a fantastic addition to our squad.”
