The Final Word: Newcastle United 2–1 Fulham
The scars from Sunday’s damaging derby defeat have yet to fully heal and may take some time to do so. However, Newcastle United were afforded an immediate opportunity to apply some much-needed ointment by progressing to a third Carabao Cup semi-final in four seasons — a competition they have grown to enjoy under Eddie Howe.
While victory over Fulham represented only a small step on the road to derby redemption, it was an important one. Newcastle needed momentum, form, and — above all — consistency, something that has proven elusive this season.
Fulham offered a reasonable chance to rediscover those qualities. Despite an uptick in their own form, Marco Silva’s side arrived on Tyneside depleted, missing several key contributors. Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze were away at AFCON with Nigeria, while Sessegnon and Muniz — the latter linked with Newcastle last summer — were sidelined by hamstring injuries.
The visitors started brightly. Jiménez won an early corner and there was a noticeable edge of anxiety inside St James’ Park as Fulham attempted to target Newcastle’s makeshift defensive setup, with Lewis Miley deployed at right-back and Tino Livramento filling in on the left due to Lewis Hall’s injury. However, one thing not in doubt the was the immediate support of Eddie Howe from the stands.
Despite Fulham starting better, Newcastle struck first. Ramsdale found Barnes on the left, who combined neatly with Livramento before laying the ball back to Schär. The Swiss defender delivered one of his trademark raking passes to Murphy on the right, whose first-time cross was only half-parried by Lecomte, allowing Wissa to tap home his first goal in black and white. It was a moment that highlighted the striker’s instinct and anticipation — qualities Newcastle have sorely missed this season.
Fulham responded within six minutes, and few could argue it was undeserved. Robinson’s run down the left was picked out by Andersen, went untracked by Murphy, and his first-time delivery found an unmarked Lukic arriving from deep to head home. It was a lapse Newcastle may feel would not have occurred had Tonali been on the pitch from the outset.
From that point onwards, however, Newcastle asserted control with relative comfort. Willock delivered a fine cross that Wissa nodded into the turf, while sustained pressure late in the half produced a flurry of chances. Bruno fired over before seeing another effort parried, Livramento blazed over, and Willock’s volley was blocked amid mounting pressure.
That dominance carried into the second half, with Bruno at the heart of everything. Murphy saw a cross turned in for an own goal, only for the linesman to intervene, while Barnes went close at the near post.
The introduction of Tonali proved pivotal, injecting the energy Newcastle had been lacking. Miley forced an excellent save as the game drifted towards penalties, but deep into stoppage time the decisive moment arrived. Tonali’s corner was met by Miley, whose superb header sent St James’ Park into raptures and sealed a third semi-final appearance in four seasons.
Manchester City now await over two legs, standing between Newcastle and a third Wembley appearance in four seasons.
Despite injuries to Hall and Livramento, this was a notably improved performance, with encouraging displays from Willock and Ramsay in particular amid numerous changes.
There are positives to build upon ahead of a huge clash with Chelsea on Saturday, where Newcastle will look to cut the gap to the fourth-placed Blues to just three points. Consistency must now follow. One strong win needs to lead into another as Newcastle aim to close out 2025 on a high heading into the New Year.
#NUFC #NUFCFans #NUFCNews #Newcastle #NewcastleUnited #FinalWord #FYP #Football #footballnews #CarabaoCup #QuarterFinals #read #review #postmatchanalysis
ALT Newcastle 2-1 Fulham: 'The Final Word' graphic.