Newcastle United have booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals following a superb 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Miguel Almiron opened the scoring with a well-taken finish before the half-hour mark and Lewis Hall doubled his side’s advantage just a few minutes later on the volley. Joe Willock made it 3-0 on the hour mark after breezing into the box and picking out the bottom corner.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
READ MORE: Manchester United vs Newcastle United highlights
Newcastle make their own bit of history as no time-wasting required
Newcastle were missing nearly an XI of players before a ball was even kicked at Old Trafford. Throw in those key men who needed a rest – Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson were only named on the bench while Nick Pope and Fabian Schar were given the night off – and the Magpies really were stretched with half the side made up of players who have played at full-back. Youngsters Amadou Diallo and Ben Parkinson were even named on the bench.
Yet Newcastle stood up. No one epitomised that quite like Emil Krafth on his first appearance in more than 14 months.
The club’s fringe players were clearly eager to take their chance and the visitors looked like they wanted it more from the off – 248 days after that painful final defeat against the same opponent in this very competition last season. They clearly travelled without fear and understandably so.
While Newcastle were under strength, and this has not traditionally been a happy hunting ground for the visitors, they were also facing a Manchester United team below them in the Premier League table who had already lost seven games in all competitions this season. Galatasaray and Crystal Palace are among those who have triumphed at this one-time fortress of late. No wonder Manchester United midfielder Casemiro called it a ‘really tough game’ that is ‘worthy of a final’. Well, only one side turned up as these players made their own bit of history by becoming just the second Newcastle side to win at Old Trafford in the last 50 years. For all Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag’s previous digs, no time wasting was required here.
(Image: AP)
A glimpse of the future as Livramento and Hall shine
You would not have known Newcastle had been disrupted by Matt Targett hobbling off inside 90 seconds. Or that there was a sense of injustice after Hannibal Mejbri somehow stayed on the field after avoiding a second yellow card for a late tackle on Emil Krafth.
Those setbacks did not deter Newcastle, who took a deserved lead before the half-hour mark when Tino Livramento nicked the ball off Alejandro Garnacho before putting the afterburners on and breezing past Hannibal, Mason Mount and Victor Lindelof. The right-back then had the calmness and quality to slip the ball through to Miguel Almiron, who lashed the ball into the net.
Newcastle were not done yet – the Magpies were just getting started. There were 36 minutes on the clock when Harry Maguire’s poor header away only found the lurking Lewis Hall just inside the area and the defender rifled home on the volley to send Geordies into dreamland. This was a night that felt like a glimpse of the future as Newcastle’s young full-backs hurt a member of the established order – and showed why the Magpies were so keen to recruit the pair last summer.
(Image: Paul Currie/REX/Shutterstock)
Newcastle’s telling response after Joe Willock makes it 3-0
Manchester United huffed and puffed after the break, but the Red Devils were again reduced to strikes from range and it was Newcastle who grabbed that crucial next goal on the hour mark. Joe Willock was allowed to carry the ball into the box as hesitant Manchester United defenders back peddled and the midfielder did not need a second invitation to shoot as he slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
That was the cue for some Manchester United fans to head for the exits, as Newcastle took a 3-0 lead at Old Trafford for the first time in their history, but the black-and-whites were not about to ease off. Quite the opposite, in fact, as Eddie Howe immediately threw on Bruno Guimaraes and Callum Wilson for Willock and Anthony Gordon.
Erik ten Hag taunted as Geordies enjoy night to remember
Not even a ludicrous 8.15pm kick-off time was going to stop them as a whopping 7,300 Geordies made the trip to Old Trafford on a cold Wednesday night for a televised fixture. It was well worth the trip.
In truth, the travelling support made themselves heard loud and clear before a ball was even kicked as they reminded Manchester United fans that Alan Shearer ‘turned them down’ in 1996. By the time the game got under way, Geordies were taunting: “Fergie’s right – your fans are s—-!’
They were soon in dreamland after watching their side race into a 2-0 lead directing chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning!” at the beleaguered Erik ten Hag on the touchline and chanting: “Geordie boys – take the p—!” Those chants only grew louder when Joe Willock made it 3-0.
(Image: Getty Images)
Are the stars aligning?
Having already knocked out treble winners Man City and Carabao Cup holders Manchester United, the draw really is opening up for Newcastle, who have reached the quarter-finals once again. With league leaders Arsenal and high-flying Spurs already out, could the stars be aligning for Eddie Howe’s team?
No wonder Geordies sang: “Tell me ma, me ma. I won’t be home for tea. We’re going to Wembley!” A trip to Chelsea awaits, but they’re one step closer.
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