Newcastle 4 Bradford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction | OneFootball

Instant fan / writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.

Nat Seaton:

‘Ok, it was League One opposition (who happen to be top of the league mind you) but some of the football we played tonight was a joy to watch.

I thought it would have been more difficult than it turned out to be but credit the team performance for this.

Four goals and a team brimming with confidence which hopefully we can take into the Arsenal game on Sunday, bring it on!’

Billy Miller:

‘Routine victory but nice to see us get a few goals ahead of our banker 3 points on Sunday.

Botman and Thiaw could be our starting centre backs in a year or two and I think they looked decent together. Both can ping a pass and carry the ball from defence. Hopefully they can stay fit and fulfill their promise individually and as a pairing.

We’ve definitely got a stronger squad than the last time we were in the Champions League so we can rotate with confidence.’

Simon Ritter:

‘United turned on the full Brazilian with a midfield masterclass from Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. One the orchestrator, the other the finisher.

Perhaps more importantly for the long term, Will Osula had his best game by far in a black-and-white shirt, scoring his team’s second and fourth goals while in between testing the keeper at least three more times.

Lewis Miley will have benefited from playing the entire match. He might also learn from the mistake that led to Bradford City’s goal (which VAR would probably have disallowed for handball).

Anthony Gordon was full of effort but often wayward with his shooting and judgment. His replacement for the final 27 minutes, Harvey Barnes, looked more precise and he was a lot sharper than at Bournemouth on Sunday. That’s a good selection dilemma for Eddie Howe when we face Arsenal on Sunday.

Big Nick Woltemade looked to have cemented his place in the starting line-up with an impressive cameo in the same 27 minutes.’

Jamie Smith:

‘I mean that’s spot on isn’t it?

Free flowing football, comfortable by half time and good use of the squad. We even let the Geordie score for the visitors.

Job done, time was this would have been a headache cum embarrassment but a solid start to (squeal) our defence of the cup’

GToon:

‘Delighted with the performance.

That was just what we needed – a win and to play well.

Hopefully that gives us the confidence to kick start our season.

All the lads played well and gave a lot of effort.

I spent the last 39 mins or so watching Nick. He is class and is just what Eddie said – a very clever player who can see a pass. He isn’t a CF but he’s very effective up front. Outstanding link up play. Happy days.’

Mark Jankowski:

‘If it hadn’t been for a bit of loose play and a tremendous shot from Bradford’s Cook It would have been the perfect performance against lower league opposition.

We scored some incredibly well worked goals and came through the game physically unscathed even with more rotation from Howe.

He’ll have some decisions to make ahead of Sunday’s game but the cup defence is up and running!’

Matt Busby said…:

‘Mission accomplished. Into the next round, unscathed, and the four goals we got could have easily been five or six.

I’ll not dwell on the error that gifted the Bantams their consolation but we cannot do that against better opposition.

Great to see Osula get a brace; Joelinton also. On another night our other Brazilian could have scored a couple.

I wonder if they’ll heat the balls up for the draw?’

Tony Mallabar:

‘Well the headless one found his level tonight.

And muckle joe found his scoring boots again.

Fair play to the Bradford fans for making it a fantastic atmosphere. Am not being condescending but if lower league teams like Bradford cannot play at a higher level competitively, then the joys of cup football have gone.’

David Punton:

‘Our defence of the League Cup is up and running in fine style.

Four goals in the bag, and no disrespect to Bradford (top of league one) but that was quite an easy night’s work for United, amid another seven changes to the starting line up.

A nice tune up for Joelinton who has got himself back among the goals – a brace of them. Osula also taking chance, at the double, while Miley did pretty well with another start.

Bruno, as ever, excellent in midfield.

We had plenty of chances too, which is a good sign and even had time to let the visitors pull one back. ‘

Davey Hat-Trick:

‘A fairly routine win against lower league opposition, and to be truthful, we dominated for the overwhelming majority of the game.

Plenty of good performances (Malick Thiaw looks a baller), and no bad ones. Very happy for Osula.

A word for the Bradford fans. They were in town all day, and were a credit to their club. Kept singing long after the game had been decided. I hope they get promotion.’

The Armchair Fan:

‘Get in!

Very straightforward win, much easier than expected and a successful start to the defence of our title.’

Newcastle 4 Bradford 1 – Wednesday 24 September 2025 7.45pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Joelinton 17, 75 Osula 19, 87

Bradford:

Cook 79

Possession was Newcastle 77% Bradford 23%

Total shots were Newcastle 27 Bradford 6

Shots on target were Newcastle 11 Bradford 3

Corners were Newcastle 6 Bradford 4

Touches in the box Newcastle 66 Bradford 6

Newcastle team v Bradford:

Ramsdale, Krafth (Trippier 61), Thiaw, Botman (Alex Murphy 89), Hall (Livramento 61), Bruno, Joelinton, Miley, Gordon (Barnes 61), Osula, Elanga (Woltemade 69)

Subs:

Pope, Lascelles, Tonali,Willock

Newcastle United fixtures (All of the Champions League matches will also be available to watch on TV in the UK):

Sunday 28 September– Newcastle v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (5.45pm)

Sunday 5 October– Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 18 October – Brighton v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 21st October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (8pm)

Saturday 25 October – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Sunday 2 November – West Ham v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 5th November: Newcastle United vs Athletic Club (8pm)

Sunday 9 November – Brentford v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 22 November – Newcastle v Man City (5.30pm) Sky Sports