Showed intent of continuing our recent love affair… | OneFootball

This felt great didn’t it?

For the first time in most people’s living memory, here were Newcastle, defending our cup, decked out in lovely gold “champions” sleeve patches and putting out the sort of team that showed intent of continuing our recent love affair with this competition.

This was exactly what United needed, a nice steady home tie against lower league opponents to give the season a bit of momentum.

Bradford were not to be dismissed easily though, currently sitting on top of League One and showing Championship credentials early by winning at Stoke and Blackburn to reach round three of the League Cup.

What I found incredibly encouraging was how strong the Newcastle line up was, while still being notably different from the teams that started against both Barcelona and Bournemouth. Finally, it seems we are reaching a position where squad rotation is a viable possibility, essential for the season ahead fighting on four fronts.

Among the changes was Aaron Ramsdale making his debut in goal, and Bradford gave him a chance to be noticed early on, gathering a weak shot in the opening minute then needing to dive full stretch to tip a dangerous looking drive from Pointon round the post.

Apparently, it’s not Bradford’s usual game to play the low block and try to break, but I suppose needs must when you’re away to a Premier League side. United continued to probe in the face of a defensive wall and the breakthrough came when Gordon fired a shot into a busy box, with the block breaking for Joelinton to steer it home.

Always a relief to break the deadlock in these scenarios but you feel more comfortable with a two goal cushion, so it was terrific to have that cushion arrive immediately. Pretty much straight from the off United took the ball back and Bruno played a tremendous through ball for Osula’s run off the shoulder of the defender. He latched onto it and produced an excellent striker’s finish across the keeper, a second goal of the season that will do his confidence no harm at all. Twenty minutes in and 2-0 looked very comfortable.

Next stage of the game seemed dedicated to Sam Walker in the Bradford goal, who produced some quality saves to deny Osula (twice) and Gordon. Fair play to him, but it was a bit annoying as 3-0 might have allowed a few half-time changes, with half an eye on Arsenal.

The changes did arrive around the hour mark as Trippier, Barnes, Woltemade and Livramento came on to get their names down for medals, but it was the Brazilians that had been on from the start that sealed the game, as Bruno picked out Joelinton who had the time to take a touch in the box before slotting number three. Big Joe almost returned the favour immediately but Bruno could only shoot straight at Walker.

With the tie as good as secured, it was time for lifelong Mag Andy Cook to have his moment. Cook is a bit of a hero at Bradford, and his appearance from the bench marked the end of a long injury absence, apparently hastened by his desperation to play at SJP. With ten minutes left Cook latched onto a blocked clearance and lashed an unstoppable drive past Ramsdale with some ferocity. Great moment for him and his family, as well as the impressive showing of travelling Bradford fans. Apparently they brought five thousand but I’m sure I saw about twenty thousand as I made my way around the town pre-match. Always great to see fans that don’t get here regularly, enjoying themselves in Newcastle (then going home empty handed of course).

There was still life in the game yet and Osula added his second and United’s fourth when he got on the end of Barnes’ centre after good work from Big Nick. This did prompt an interesting conversation about what kind of fracas might transpire if we were to get a penalty, with Osula and Joelinton both on hat-tricks. Osula seems stark raving mad to me, but surely he wouldn’t be daft enough for that fight?

Anyway, this didn’t happen and the whistle blew on a successful and extremely useful exercise for United. I hot footed it to Tilly’s for the draw for the last 16, where I drank just enough to forget that the editor of The Mag had asked for immediate reaction to the draw. Here then is my (not quite immediate) response to getting Tottenham:

In a busy season like this, getting a home draw is the main thing. With Swansea, Brighton and six London clubs in the mix, a long trek in between Champions League games with Benfica and Bilbao might have proved a bit onerous (there’s gonna be a few drunken midweeks in town come late October). Like last year (when Chelsea visited at this stage), I’d argue this is the perfect time to get the likes of Spurs. A great chance to eject them from the cup on our own turf and clear the field a bit that might hopefully contribute to a less ominous semi final field should we make it again. Winnable, appealing and a chance to do some damage, bring it on.

Absolutely no reason we shouldn’t be thinking about latter stages as well, as United continued a club record, extending our League Cup winning streak to eight games. The possibility remains that a competition that has brought us so many magnificent times in recent years might deliver again.

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

You can follow the author on BlueSky @bigjimwinsalot.bsky.social

(Newcastle v Spurs drawn out in Carabao Cup fourth round – Newcastle United fans react – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 Bradford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

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)