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Nottingham Forest (h) Fwding/resale now

Update:
Tale of the expected 

Trailing 0-1 from the first leg, Thursday saw Liverpool stride to a 4-0 victory over Spurs at Anfield in the second leg of their Carabao Cup Semi-final tie.

That means the reigning cup holders will attempt to defend their trophy against Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday March 16th (KO tbc).

Sharing six goals at Gallowgate earlier this season, the return fixture in the Premier League is scheduled for Wednesday February 26th - less than three weeks before the sides clash again in the Carabao Cup.

This will be the third time that Newcastle and Liverpool have met in this competition; the Reds 2-0 winners on Tyneside in January 1998, following a 1-0 success for the Magpies on Merseyside in November 1995. 

2024/25:
Goners!

Newcastle  2  Arsenal  0  (4-0 on aggregate)



Match action is online here

A composed and confident performance on Wednesday deservedly sent Newcastle United back to Wembley for the second time in three years, recording a third victory and clean sheet over the Gunners in just four months. 

Leading 2-0 after the first leg in North London, Eddie Howe fielded a five man defence with Kieran Trippier replacing Tino Livramento at right back and Sven Botman lining up alongside Dan Burn and Fabian Schar with knee injury victim Joelinton dropping out. The latter is set to be missing for several weeks.

Any notions that United would attempt to stonewall the Gunners were quickly dispelled as a lightning counter attack ended with Alexander Isak smashing the ball into the Leazes End net inside the first four minutes.

A lengthy VAR review saw that effort chalked off, but a goal wasn't long in coming - Isak pinging another effort off the goal frame in the 19th minute, but the rebound falling for Jacob Murphy to joyfully sweep home - the scorer appropriately enough a native of Wembley.

Into the second half and Anthony Gordon was a whisker away with a first-time effort from way out, but further daylight was put between the sides when Gunners goalkeeper David Raya made an ill-advised attempt at passing to Declan Rice just outside his own area.

Worried out of possession by Schar's intervention, the ball then fell for Gordon to roll home and open up an unassailable four goal advantage for his side with 52 minutes on the clock. 

Further home goals could have followed but the black and white wall held firm to deny Arsenal a consolation strike before jetting off to Dubai to lick their wounds. 

The closing minutes saw fit-again pair Emil Krafth and Callum Wilson return from the bench - the former replacing Botman after a huge display from the Dutchman that belied the time he's spent sidelined.    

Ecstatic home fans meanwhile serenaded the visiting manager with "Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball" - a reference to his ludicrous comments following our first leg success at the Emirates. 

Those supporters then stayed in their places to salute the squad as they performed a brief lap of honour, having collectively restored belief that had begun to waver among some after successive home league defeats. 

For the manager too there was the satisfaction and relief at seeing a game plan perfectly executed.

Players and fans meanwhile can take heart from this focused and controlled display - a timely reminder that we're not just there for a jolly this time.

That message was underlined by Howe post-match, who paid tribute to his players for their professionalism and putting the experience of recent domestic and European cup campaigns to good use.

Team: Dubravka, Trippier, Hall, Schar, Botman (Krafth 80), Burn, Guimaraes (Miley 90+1), Tonali (Longstaff 87), Gordon, J.Murphy (Willock 80), Isak (Wilson 87).
Subs n/u: Livramento, Osula, Pope, Targett.

Booked: Guimaraes, Schar

Goals: J.Murphy 19, Gordon 52 

AFC: Raya, Lewis-Skelly, Magalhaes, Saliba, Timber (Calafiori 78), Rice, Partey (Jorginho 78), Odegaard (Sterling 61), Trossard (Merino 61), Havertz, Martinelli (Nwaneri 37).
Subs n/u: Setford, Kiwior, Tierney, Zinchenko.

Booked: Havertz, Saliba, Sterling.

Crowd: 52,173 including 4,883 away followers. 

Home fans were in their places well before kick-off and made a memorable racket throughout the night that as hoped, was every bit the equal of the night that PSG were humbled here.

Some excellent work from Wor Flags saw individual  plastic flags laid out in the East Stand to accompany a "Howay the Lads" surfer in the central section.

The "get into them" banner raised in the East Stand for the Liverpool game meanwhile reappeared in the Gallowgate End today.

They were both complimented by larger rolls of black and white material laid out across the pitch.

There was a pre-match rendition of "Going Home (Theme of The Local Hero)" on the pitch by Johnny "Blue Hat" Davis from Sam Fender's band.

The keen-eyed may note that said blue hat came courtesy of one our valued NUFC.com sponsors...

Former Magpies spotted included James Perch, Chris Waddle, Shay Given, Steve Watson and Ryan Taylor.

The injured Joelinton turned up clad in a replica 1996/97 shirt with Shearer 9 on the back and enthusiastically twirled his black and white scarf at various times from his seat adjacent to the home dugout.

On the fourteenth anniversary of his late father's strike here in the 4-4 draw with Arsenal, Rafael Tiote - son of Cheick - was among the Newcastle mascots, walking out with Bruno Guimaraes.

Eddie Howe: 

"It’s an amazing feeling: It was a great night for us. It was a tough game but tactically we were good - the players followed their instructions to the letter. 

"It’s definitely up there with our best performances. There is a balance and a sweet spot in our game we need to get right. 

"The intention was to be aggressive and sometimes when you do that it doesn't always work. Today it did.

"I thought it helped to solidify our plan. We had to retreat at times but we were always in the game.

"The work started on Monday, which is quick. The Champions League last year helped us to work on those two-day turnarounds.

"We do tweak things depending on the opposition. We felt we needed more height in the team, we wanted solidity at the back and we had to change in order to win the game.

"The players followed the instruction to the letter, they deserve the credit. Fabian (Schar) had big distances to cover in his job, tracking Declan Rice whether he dropped low or went wide or went central. At times he went right across the pitch. He is a good athlete and is very capable of doing it."

"Tonight it was perfect - we were brave, we were aggressive, we were everything we wanted to be against a very good team. The players have given us everything, mentally and physically.

"I’m very proud to lead this team and this club. You saw the best of the city of Newcastle tonight, you saw the support for the players and the love for the players. 

"This group of players have been magnificent. They have gone hard and given everything. I’m very proud to manage them. We have shown we can compete against any team.

"You know the magnitude of the occasion, and the repercussions, good and bad, but you can’t get caught up on that. The players were emotional, but in the right way. 

"We weren’t over the top, we weren’t irrational, we were in control of everything we were doing. I think that comes with experience. 

"Part of the team selection was to pick a team that could handle the occasion and the environment it was going into. There were some really wise heads on the pitch, really good leaders. I thought we looked a top team.

"Fate will naturally take its course, I don’t think we’ll engage on the emotion of who we’ll play. That will come in time, of course.

“Two elite teams (Liverpool and Spurs), two very good sides that we have faced this season, so we know whoever we play will be a tough opponent, but I think it’s just a case at the moment of being really pleased to have won today, continued our good momentum and good form.

"At our very best levels, I think we’re a very good team, so I think that should give us loads of confidence.

"It’s a long time (to wait for a trophy). We’d love to end it and we’ll work as hard as we can and prepare right to try to do that.

"Hopefully we can learn from the last experience and improve our performance.
.
"It's huge. The first Wembley appearance was brilliant, it was sort of unexpected, but a club like this and where it wants to be, we need to be there regularly. We need to feel it's not a surprise.

"We're here on merit, our run's not been easy. Look at the teams we've had to face; I think it's four Premier League teams if I'm right, but we've done the hard yards and we've now got an opportunity.

"I think we learned a lot from that day. The whole build-up to the game was long. Looking back, it was exhausting for me, so I’m sure it was the same for the players.

"You learn different techniques to help keep your concentration and focus, and not become tired because of the long build-up. There’s definitely things that, as a club, we can look at and improve.

“We can help the players, and make sure that when that day comes around, we’re able to help them to perform and give our absolute best.”

Referee: Simon Hooper - a fourth appointment of the season for the Wiltshire official, following the 1-2 loss at Chelsea, 2-4 defeat at Brentford and 2-0 win away to Manchester United - all in the Premier League.

Hooper's last game in charge at Gallowgate before this was the 4-1 PL win against Chelsea in November 2023.

As part of the latest EFL experiment, Hooper's verdict on the disallowed goal was relayed live over the SJP PA.

VAR: John Brooks

Stats:

Newcastle's Wembley date means that the Premier League home fixture against Crystal Palace will be rescheduled to a new date as yet unconfirmed.

The winners of this season's Carabao Cup Final take a place at the playoff stage of the European Conference League - unless they have already qualified for Europe via a different route. 

Mikel Arteta's side have now lost four domestic fixtures in 90 minutes this season - one to Bournemouth and the other three to Newcastle United.

This was the fourth time that the Magpies have hosted the Gunners in a cup competition - and the first time that the visitors have lost:

Arsenal @ SJP cup ties:

2024/25 Won 2-0 J.Murphy, Gordon (LC)
2010/11 Lost 0-4 (LC)
2001/02 Drew 1-1 Robert (FAC)
1935/36 Drew 3-3 J.Smith 2, Pearson (FAC)

The match order mirrors that of United's previous two League Cup semi-final appearances:

1975/76 Spurs: lost 0-1 (a), won 3-1 (h)
2022/23 Southampton: won 1-0 (a), won 2-1 (h)
2024/25 Arsenal: won 2-0 (a), won 2-0 (h) 

This is the sixth time that the two sides have met in the League Cup:

2024/25 Won 2-0 (h)
2024/25 Won 2-0 (a)
2010/11 Lost 0-4 (h)
2007/08 Lost 0-2 (a)
1995/96 Lost 0-2 (a)
1971/72 Lost 0-4 (a)

ON SALE NOW

1897 Manchester City (h)
3-0 (1-0)
Division Two 
P21, 27pts, 3rd/16 
Wardrope(1-0,53), Aitken(3-0) 
9,000

1904 Bury (a)
1-2 (1-1)
FA Cup 1st Round 
Templeton(43) 
Swann(5), Sagar(70)
12,635

1924 Derby County (h)
2-2(aet) (2-0)
FA Cup 2nd Round First Replay
Harris(25), Cowan(29)
og(Mooney)(52), Galloway(88)
50,393
Two ahead at the interval, United retained their lead until two minutes from full time in this Wednesday afternoon replay.

There was no further scoring in extra time of what was the second instalment of a marathon tie that took four attempts to settle in Newcastle's favour. 

1926 West Ham United (h)
4-1 (1-0)
Division One 
P27, 30pts, 6th/22 
Cowan(56), Gallacher(9,51), Seymour(85) 
Barrett(90)
28,000
West Ham's England international goalkeeper Ted Hufton was praised for keeping the score down against "a Newcastle forward line bewildering in its cleverness" as "Hereward" writing in the Newcastle Daily Chronicle noted.

1932 Sheffield Wednesday (a) 0-2 (0-1) Division One  P26, 31pts, 7th/22  Millership(38pen,54) 16,270

1937 Bury (h)
1-3 (1-2)
Division Two 
P29, 31pts, 7th/22 
Leighton(2) 
Graham(5), Whitfield(12pen), Matthews(53)
26,000

1952 The FA Cup Fourth round meeting of Gateshead and West Bromwich Albion took place in front of 39,287 fans at SJP. 

The level of interest in the tie saw moved from Gateshead's Redheugh Park home to Gallowgate, only to be postponed the previous Saturday due to a frozen pitch.

Staged with a 2.45pm start the following Wednesday, Albion won 2-0 thanks to a goal in each half from Ronnie Allen.

The tie was played in a sombre atmosphere following the death of King George VI hours earlier; a two minute silent tribute before kick-off accompanied by "Abide with me" on the stadium PA. 

1954 Tottenham Hotspur (a) 0-3 (0-0)
Division One 
P30, 25pts, 18th/22 
Robb(58,64), Walters(71)
35,798
George Robb's quick-fire brace set Spurs en route to a fourth successive home league win over United.

1958 The Munich Air Disaster, which claimed the lives of 23 people, including former Magpie legend Tom Curry, who by then was coaching the Busby Babes. 

Outside left Albert Scanlon escaped with a broken leg but lay unconscious in hospital for five days. He would join Newcastle in November 1960 for a fee of £18,000.

1960 Burnley (a)
1-2 (0-1)
Division One 
P28, 27pts, 12th/22 
Allchurch(56) 
Robson(3), Pointer(69)
26,998
United gave as good as they got against a Clarets side that went on to win the title, but were eventually defeated by Ray Pointer's deft chip.

1965 Preston North End (a) 0-2 (0-0) Division Two  P29, 40pts, 1st/22  Godfrey(64,69) 18,961 Welsh international striker Brian Godfrey hit both home goals at Deepdale.

1970 West Bromwich Albion (h) 1-0 (1-0) Division One  P30, 32pts, 10th/22  Dyson(43)  32,054
	1971 Chelsea (h) 0-1 (0-1) Division One  P27, 25pts, 14th/22  Hudson(24) 34,336

1978 Wrexham (a)
1-4 (1-2)
FA Cup 4th Round Replay 
Burns(38) 
McNeil(2,84), Shinton(41), Cartwright(86)
18,676 
Having held top-flight United 2-2 at SJP, Third Division Wrexham delighted a packed Racecourse Ground in the delayed replay - Dixie McNeil with a brace and future Magpie Bobby Shinton also on target.

The hosts advanced to a Fifth Round home tie with non-league Blyth Spartans that would ultimately be settled in a memorable replay at Gallowgate.
Youtube footage is online here

1982 Cambridge United (a) 0-1 (0-1)
Division Two 
P22, 33pts, 10th/22 
Spriggs(43)
5,092
After scoring seven times in their most recent two away games, goals eluded Newcastle at the Abbey Stadium against a U's side with future Magpie George Reilly in it.

The pitiful turnout wasn't even the smallest of the season - less fans witnessing United's visits to Orient and Shrewsbury Town.

1988 Wimbledon (a)
0-0 (0-0)
Division One 
P22, 33pts, 10th/22 
10,505 
What was an otherwise unremarkable match at Plough Lane is recalled for Monte Fresco's photograph of Womble Vinnie Jones tightly marking Paul Gascoigne - by grabbing hold of his testicles.

1997 Paul Kitson left Newcastle for West Ham United at a cost of £2.3m, forming a striking partnership with the considerably more expensive John Hartson.

1998 Gary Speed joined Newcastle for the then outrageous sum of £5.5m, after a "reluctant" Everton manager Howard Kendall had held out as United's offers increased. 

1999 Leeds United (a)
1-0 (0-0)
Premiership
P24, 31pts, 12th/20
Solano(63)
40,202 
Newcastle recorded a third single goal victory at Elland Road in four visits, despite missing the suspended Alan Shearer and injured Duncan Ferguson.

Having struck the woodwork in the first half, Nolberto Solano hit the winner, starting the move and taking the ball off Temuri Ketsbaia's toes before firing home.
NUFC.com match report
Youtube footage is online here

2007 Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins was absent from the Nigeria side as they lost 1-4 to Ghana in a friendly played at Brentford's Griffin Park ground.

2013 Magpies on international duty included a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam between Tim Krul's Holland and Davide Santon's Italy. Both played the full game, with Santon gaining an eighth cap and first since joining United. 

There was pitch time for Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko (France v Germany), Shane Ferguson (Malta v Northern Ireland) and Fabricio Coloccini (Argentina v Sweden).

2014 Newcastle confirmed the resignation of U21 coach Willie Donachie, shortly after news broke of his suspension by the club.

That move followed reports of an incident in the Newcastle dressing room following the reserve derby loss three days earlier.

It was claimed that Donachie and defender Remie Streete were involved in an altercation broken up by other players. 

A tackle by Streete led to the award of a penalty from which the mackems scored the opening goal in a 2-0 home win.

2016 West Bromwich Albion (h) 1-0 (1-0)
Premier League
P25, 24pts, 17th/20
Mitrovic(32)
50,152
Aleksandar Mitrovic's fifth goal of the season saw an injury-hit United climb out of the bottom three. It would be their final victory under manager Steve McClaren.
NUFC.com match report

2017 A 93rd minute goal from Haris Vuckic divided the sides in PL2 against West Bromwich Albion at Kidderminster's Aggborough Stadium.

There was a debut for Spanish youngster Victor Fernandez while Vuckic returned to the side following a loan at Bradford City.
NUFC.com match report

2021 Southampton (h)
3-2 (3-1)
Premier League
P22, 22pts, 16th/20
Wil lock(16), Almiron(26,45+4)
Hendrick(50 - second yellow)
Minamino(30),
Ward-Prowse(48)
BCD
A goal from debutant Joe Willock and a pair from Miguel Almiron earned Newcastle their first PL home win in six attempts.

The Saints were fresh from a 0-9 beating at Old Trafford and trailed 2-3 when Jeff Hendrick was sent off after a stupid second yellow.

Danny Ings hit a post, Che Adams had a goal disallowed and ten men became nine when Fabian Schar knacked himself taking a free-kick with all three substitutes used.

Somehow those left standing survived for 18 more minutes (seven added) for a memorable and vital victory.
NUFC.com match report

2023 Conflicting reports from Turkey emerged regarding ex-Magpie Christian Atsu following a severe earthquake. 

Initial claims that he had been hospitalised gave way to reports that he was missing - feared trapped in a collapsed apartment block. Sadly, that proved to be accurate.