Newcastle United 4-1 Bradford City: Holders find form in front of goal to breeze past Bantams | OneFootball

Newcastle United started their Carabao Cup defence by calmly dispatching a spirited Bradford City side on Tyneside.

Two goals in two minutes handed the home side first half control; one each for Joelinton and Will Osula. The brilliant Brazilian added to his tally, only for boyhood Geordie Andy Cook to net a goal back for the Bantams. Osula wrapped up the tie three minutes from time however, sending Eddie Howe’s men marching into the fourth round.

As it happened

After a somewhat underwhelming start to the Premier League campaign, Newcastle were looking to find their form once again against League One table-toppers Bradford City. It was Graham Alexander’s men who started the brighter of the two however, with Brad Halliday forcing debutant Aaron Ramsdale into an early save within the first minute.

The two teams then briefly exchanged a few half chances each. Notably, Bobby Pointon ensured Ramsdale produced another smart stop to spare black and white blushes, before the Magpies started clicking into gear. The midfield trio of Lewis Miley, Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães appeared fresh and dynamic, linking up numerously with intricate and progressive passes to force the Bantams on to the back foot.

It wasn’t long until the pressure told; fluid interchanges between Anthony Elanga, Lewis Miley and Guimarães lead to a blocked Anthony Gordon attempt – only for it to fall to the feet of a grateful Joelinton, who settled before stroking the ball home for the opener in the 17th minute.

Osula then hastily clinched a second for Eddie Howe’s men before the 20-minute mark, latching on to a stellar Guimarães through-ball as he cooly slotted past Bradford keeper Sam Walker.

The ever-dangerous Newcastle frontline ensured Walker remained busy for the remainder of the half, with Osula, Gordon and Guimarães all keeping him on his toes.

As the half time whistle blew, both Howe and those inside a packed St. James’ Park would have been suitably buoyed by their team looking back to their slick and exciting best. The midfield three had bossed the middle of the park and the holders were finding great joy utilising wide men Elanga and Gordon as outlets.

The second half saw renewed Bradford optimism however, with Pointon heading into the arms of Ramsdale in the 53rd minute for their best chance since the opening stages. Much to the travelling fans’ frustration though, this again was short lived, as the Tynesiders began once again scything through the Bantams’ defence with rapid transitions and, at times, simply mouthwatering football.

Guimarães grabbed his second assist of the night on 75 minutes, as he composedly rolled the ball into Joelinton who secured a brace for himself.

The roughly 60,000 Geordies couldn’t entirely sit back and relax for the remainder however, as local lad and Toon fan Cook cannoned the ball, which had broken loose, in off the underside of the crossbar from 20 yards out. Bradford belief grew and they threatened again, with Sven Botman forced into an awkward clearance from a low, threatening cross.

Osula eventually put the tie to bed on the 87th minute. Good work from substitute Harvey Barnes down the left ensured the Dane grabbed his second goal of the night and Newcastle’s fourth, sending Bradford fans back to Yorkshire proud of their team’s efforts but, ultimately, focussing on the league campaign.

As for last year’s winners, a stern test against Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur at St. James’ Park awaits in the fourth round, as those on Tyneside will be hoping for an upturn in league form in the meantime to kickstart their 2025/26 campaign.

The lineups

NEW: Ramsdale; Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth; Joelinton, Miley, Guimaraes; Gordon, Osula, Elanga