Following a 38 day lull in competitive club games, United made a winning return to action on Tuesday night, advancing to the Quarter Finals of the Carabao Cup after beating Premier League opposition at Gallowgate.

The winning goal was scored by a player signed during Eddie Howe's reign; but that was when he was in charge of Bournemouth rather than Newcastle.... 

Visiting defender Adam Smith was under no more than mild pressure from Callum Wilson when heading Kieran Trippier's right wing centre past his own 'keeper midway through the second half.

That miscue saved the blushes of Miggy Almiron who had spurned a glaring chance in the first half, inexplicably scuffing the ball across goal when Dan Burn's cross from the left found him at the back post.

Wilson had already netted by then but that 27th minute effort was ruled out by the onfield officials in the absence of VAR, deciding that Joe Willock was offside and interfering with play, despite Wilson legitimately taking the ball and finishing smartly at the Gallowgate End.

That belated decision came following protests from visiting players directed at the referee and linesman and had the effect of firing up crowd and team for a time - Wilson narrowly heading over from United's next attack.

Rarely seen as an attacking force all night, Bournemouth wasted one excellent chance straight after the break when striker Kieffer Moore headed the ball narrowly wide from eight yards out.

Having forced a draw here three months ago in the league, the visitors were again able to contain United for three quarters of the contest but the arrival of Allan Saint-Maximin - unavailable for the last meeting - would prove key.

Although not involved in what proved to be the winning goal, the Frenchman provided a threat down the left that had been largely absent and raised the noise levels around the ground, before bringing some much-needed pace to the home side's attacking efforts.

It took a VAR-dictated penalty to get past a compact Cherries side here last time and that fortunate OG did the damage here tonight when the outcome was all that really mattered.   

One goal always looked likely to settle it, but a succession of replacements did look to knock United out of their stride in the closing stages in similar fashion to the changes that preceded conceding late on at Fulham and Southampton.

Nick Pope had to make a couple of late stops to prevent the tie going to penalties but five minutes of added time passed without major incident before a place in the last eight was bagged: justification for the strong selection from Eddie Howe that underscored his pledge to take the cups seriously. The only change to the starting XI that beat Chelsea tonight was Wilson in for Wood.

All five current Magpies on World Cup duty started; Fabian Schar celebrating his 31st birthday by taking an early blow to the face but playing on and coming close to scoring on two occasions. That they all came back unscathed and with minimal and partial involvement has to be a double positive; our number 39 has a point to prove and a new national team coach to impress.... 

And while there was some rustiness and sloppy passing, those involved will benefit from tonight's exertions, upping the ante from Saturday's kickabout before the Boxing Day visit to Leicester.

A brief chorus of "tell me ma..." broke out following the goal and one attention-seeker later posted his London hotel booking for February online. Having won just one of our previous nine League Cup Quarter Final appearances though, we'll wait to see what the draw is before beginning to dream of Wembley...

Biffa