Newcastle United booked their place in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup with a straightforward 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon at St James’ Park, courtesy of a Fabian Schär penalty. In a tightly contested match, the Magpies were awarded the decisive spot-kick on the stroke of half-time after Miguel Almiron was fouled in the box, allowing Schär to calmly convert from 12 yards.
Newcastle Dominance amid Match
Newcastle came into this third-round tie looking to bounce back after a mixed run of form in the Premier League, and they were expected to comfortably dispatch League Two side AFC Wimbledon. From the opening whistle, the Magpies dominated possession, but Wimbledon defended resolutely, determined to make life difficult for their higher-league opponents.
The home side created several chances in the first half, with Almiron and Anthony Gordon proving particularly lively on the wings. The pace and trickery of Newcastle’s wide players gave Wimbledon’s defense plenty to worry about, but they struggled to find the clinical edge in the final third.
As the minutes ticked away in the first half, frustration seemed to be growing among the Newcastle players and supporters. AFC Wimbledon, content to sit deep and hit on the counter, looked like they might hold out until the break, but the breakthrough came in controversial fashion.
The Decisive Penalty
In the final moments of the first half, Newcastle’s persistence paid off. Miguel Almiron, who had been one of the Magpies’ most dangerous players throughout the half, made a darting run into the box. As he attempted to control a pass and turn towards goal, he was tripped by Wimbledon defender Joe Pigott.
However, after a lengthy consultation with his assistant referee, Bond made the decision to award the penalty, much to the relief of the Newcastle players and supporters. The AFC Wimbledon bench protested the decision, arguing that the foul was soft and that Almiron had gone to ground too easily. But the decision stood, and Newcastle had a golden opportunity to take the lead.
Fabian Schär, known more for his defensive work, stepped up to take the spot-kick. The Swiss international, calm under pressure, sent Goodman the wrong way, coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give Newcastle a 1-0 lead just before the half-time whistle.
The Second Half Control
With the lead secured, Newcastle came out for the second half looking to assert their dominance and put the game to bed. Eddie Howe made some tactical adjustments to ensure his side maintained control of the match while also protecting their slender advantage.
AFC Wimbledon, to their credit, came out with more attacking intent in the second half, realizing they needed a goal to keep their cup hopes alive. They had a couple of brief forays into Newcastle’s half, with long balls aimed at troubling the Magpies’ backline. However, Newcastle’s defense, marshaled by Schär and Sven Botman, dealt with any threats comfortably.
The home side continued to press for a second goal, with Almiron and Gordon again looking dangerous. Wilson had another chance to score but was denied by Goodman’s quick reactions. Eddie Howe introduced fresh legs, bringing on players like Jacob Murphy and Sean Longstaff to add energy and creativity to the midfield.
As the match wore on, it became increasingly clear that Newcastle were content to manage their 1-0 lead, controlling possession and limiting Wimbledon’s chances. Despite their best efforts, the League Two side struggled to break down the Premier League team’s disciplined defense.
Wimbledon’s Efforts Fall Short
AFC Wimbledon put in a valiant defensive effort throughout the match, frustrating Newcastle for large periods of the game. Their goalkeeper Owen Goodman, in particular, impressed with several key saves to keep the scoreline respectable. However, the Dons struggled to create meaningful opportunities in attack, and while they remained competitive, they never truly threatened to turn the game around.
As the final whistle blew, Newcastle secured their passage to the next round of the Carabao Cup, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Wimbledon, despite their best efforts, bowed out of the competition, having made Newcastle work for their victory.
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