That sweet feeling of… relief! | OneFootball

I feel a great deal of relief that our beloved Newcastle United finally overcame a dogged Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, to progress into the the next round of the Carabao Cup.

Eddie Howe proved how seriously he was taking the competition by fielding a strong side.

Our bench had strength and versatility, and I was pleased to see Kieran Trippier with the captain’s armband on.

I am a great admirer of the qualities that Joe Willock brings to the team when he is fully fit.

So after he had opened the scoring after only 18 seconds, my heart then went out to him when he disconsolately left the field not long after. After all the work Little Joe has done to regain his energy and fitness over the last 12 months, lets hope this injury isn’t too serious.

We all know the Toon were no great shakes in this game. One of the real plus points for me though was the return of Sandro Tonali.

He seemed hungry for action and put in a good shift. He looked like he was blowing out of his jacksie by the time Eddie took him off and I bet he had a good kip last night.

It was good to see Eddie utilising his substitutes to try to win the game in normal time.

For many years Newcastle have been jinxed in penalty shoot outs. I remember standing in the Leazes End back in 1992 when we became the first side to ever lose an FA Cup penalty shoot out, against Bournemouth. One of my favourite ever Toon players Liam O’Brien missed the crucial spot kick that night.

Ice Cold Alex, Bruno and Flash took their penalties with aplomb. I thought Big Joe hit his kick well and that it wasn’t a bad stop by Forest’s massive keeper.

Forests 4th and 5th penalties were shockers.

And so it was left to North Shields lad Sean Longstaff to wrap it up.

After some of the flak that he undeservedly receives, I knew Wor Sean would bury it.

I said in a previous article that this was a must win game. After hearing about all of the so called benefits of being out of Europe, it would have been a disaster if we had exited the Carabao Cup at our first hurdle.

Could Spurs at home on Sunday finally see us get back to the kind of level we were at near the end of next season? I bloody well hope so.

We have been giving this lot walloping’s at St James’ Park for years it seems. That will count for nothing come 1.30pm on Sunday afternoon.

I’m not even thinking of this transfer window for the rest of this week. If we bring Marc Guehi or anyone else in, good.

However, all my focus is on getting back to playing the high intensity, free flowing football that Eddie Howe had got us all accustomed to.

Anyhow. Surprise, surprise we’ve copped another away draw in the next round of the Carabao Cup, against AFC Wimbledon.

We surely will be right back in our stride by then. I can feel another cup run coming on.

Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle 1 – United win 4-3 on penalties : Wednesday 28 August 8pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Willock 1

Forest:

Jota Silva 50

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Newcastle 59%  (53%) Forest 41% (47%)

Total shots were Newcastle 14 (6) Forest 12 (8)

Shots on target were Newcastle 7 (4) Forest 3 (1)

Corners were Newcastle 5 (1) Forest 3 (2)

Touches in the box Newcastle 20 (9) Forest 21 (17)

Newcastle United team v Forest:

Pope, Trippier (Livarmento 62), Krafth, Burn, Hall, Tonali (Longstaff 62), Joelinton, Willock (Bruno 15), Barnes, Isak, Almiron (Gordon 61)

Unused subs:

Ruddy, Targett, Osula, Jacob Murphy, Kelly

(Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle 1 – United win 4-3 on penalties (never in doubt!) – Read HERE)

(Newcastle United get AFC Wimbledon – Carabao Cup third round draw – Read HERE)

(Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle 1 (United win 4-3 on penalties) – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United schedule to end of October 2024:

Friday 30 August 2024 – Summer transfer window closes at 11pm.

Sunday 1 September 2024 – Newcastle v Tottenham (1.30pm) Sky Sports

(The first international break of the season)

Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3 pm)

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)