EFL Cup: Newcastle progress after close game

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Club football is well and truly back

Newcastle United 1 - 0 Bournemouth

Newcastle reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup with a hard-fought win over Bournemouth at St James' Park.

Adam Smith's own goal proved decisive for the hosts. The defender inadvertently headed past Cherries goalkeeper Mark Travers from Kieran Trippier's superb delivery. This bit of fortune was no more than Eddie Howe's side deserved with the home team creating the bulk of the goalscoring chances.

Eddie Howe included goalkeeper Nick Pope, full-back Trippier and forward Callum Wilson, who were all part of England's World Cup squad in Qatar in the starting eleven.

In front of a crowd of 50,000, Newcastle repeatedly pressed forward with Trippier, Schar, Miguel Almiron and Wilson all going close to breaking the deadlock in the first half, with the latter also having an effort ruled out for offside.

Gary O'Neil's determined and disciplined Bournemouth side will count themselves a little unfortunate after not making the most of their few clear-cut opportunities. ales striker Kieffer Moore headed wide when well placed, substitute Jack Stacey forced Pope into a good save, and Dominic Solanke also saw a late effort superbly blocked by the Newcastle goalkeeper.

The above video from Newcastle United - YouTube gives an interesting perspective on the action.

One Newcastle fan commented: "It's never easy playing against a team that parks the bus for most of the game, but we won. Well done lads! I'm still not sure why the referee's assistant took ages to raise the flag, It was a very tight call and he could be forgiven for a mistake, but that was a suspiciously long time until he decided it was offside."

Another added: "An inelegant win but it was a win nonetheless.  We need to step back up to our form before the world cup, but Eddie and the team don't need us to tell them. Can't wait for the Leicester game!"

Respect for the Bournemouth fans

It was a long trip for the Bournemouth fans on their first competitve game since the World Cup. One Twitter user posted: "Midweek trip of the week goes to Bournemouth fans, who made the 696 mile round trip to #nufc Newcastle tonight to see their side lose 1-0 in the league cup. Outstanding effort to those that travelled."

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