Newcastle 2-1 Southampton (3-1 on aggregate) (Longstaff 5′, 21′, Guimaraes red card | Adams 29′)
ST JAMES’ PARK — Sean Longstaff was the hero on what felt like the longest night on Tyneside.
Two goals from a homegrown hero teed up a crack at history for a Newcastle United side who emerged worthy winners from a rollercoaster semi-final. But boy were they made to work for it by spirited Southampton.
At the conclusion of a tumultuous contest, Longstaff and his teammates embraced in the happiest of huddles, engulfed by the emotion of it all. Around him in the stands, there were bear hugs and primal screams of relief from a sold out, ramped up St James’ Park. The final whistle was the starting pistol for a party two decades in the making.
Newcastle are back in a major cup final for the first time in 24 years and the manner of their victory – navigating a second half set up to test the nerves of a team so long starved of success – made it all the sweeter for a heroic failure is the cloak that Newcastle have worn for large parts of their 47 year trophy drought, a sort of footballing fatalism settling on Tyneside as the arid years ticked by.
They write books and devour documentaries about the nearly men of 1995 in these parts, the dizzying dip that let Manchester United in to win the Premier League title all part of the club’s story.
WHAT A START FOR NEWCASTLE!
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 31, 2023
Calm as you like from Sean Longstaffpic.twitter.com/G3a262wxW0
But you can sense things are changing. New ownership with deep pockets has dovetailed with the deeply impressive management of Eddie Howe and Newcastle are on a wild, seemingly inexorable ride to the top.
Howe’s quiet authority and refusal to be intimidated by the club’s potential has brought belief back to the city. Newcastle’s recent cup tradition is of falling at the final hurdle but it feels like the fear has been stripped out of the club’s attempts to win something.
Even here, down to ten men after Bruno Guimaraes and facing a James Ward-Prowse free-kick in treacherous territory, Newcastle had their record signing Alexander Isak throwing himself in front of the ball. Even then there was seven minutes stoppage time to navigate. They earned this.
Before the shredded nerves, there was undiluted elation. Newcastle won this tie inside a rapier first 20 minutes, scoring twice and building a platform that Southampton’s second half onslaught couldn’t tear down.
More from Football
Caicedo pressured Brighton to sell him to Arsenal or Chelsea - but they refused to be bullied31 January, 2023
Man Utd's rejection of Alessia Russo world record bid from Arsenal could define WSL title race31 January, 2023
Jorginho is a serial winner in Arsenal's most needed position, whether fans like him or not31 January, 2023Longstaff was a fitting hero, a symbol of the improvement that Eddie Howe has wrung out of his team since taking over 15 months ago. Saudi cash might have rebooted the club’s ambitions – bringing external criticism alongside local acclaim – but it is the jump in levels of the likes of Longstaff that has underpinned Howe’s transformation of a club that was bottom of the Premier League when he was appointed.
For all that goodwill, Longstaff hasn’t managed to shake the doubters who highlight what he can’t do. Not scoring enough is one charge laid at his door but on a North East night for the ages, he picked the right time to conjure a riposte to that.
Guimaraes, inevitably, was involved, pushing the ball quickly to Trippier as Newcastle tore into Southampton at pace. Longstaff broke into the box to join them, sending a rasping drive past Gavin Bazunu.
A second followed soon after, Newcastle’s relentlessness rewarded when Longstaff connected emphatically with Miguel Almiron’s smart cut back. The noise from the stands was defeaning, a release of the pent up frustration of 24 years of Cup failure.
LONGSTAFF AGAIN!
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 31, 2023
This football from Newcastle ispic.twitter.com/M1bszsfjZU
Southampton looked all at sea and Nathan Jones toggled through several different systems trying to find an answer. Eventually they settled as the half progressed, growing into the contest. James Ward-Prowse gradually gained a foothold on the engine room, managing to stem the black and white tide.
Che Adams was a threat and his terrific long range drive began the long road back to what would have been the unlikeliest of comebacks. They pushed for a second and had it arrived, it would have really tested Newcastle’s mettle. They had the superb Nick Pope to thank that it didn’t come to that as he rushed off his line to stop Adam Armstrong in the 72nd minute. But this was unquestionably the home side’s night, as anxiety free as they might have hoped.
Judging by the numbers piling onto LNER’s website during the first half the biggest concern for many was whether they’d be able to get a train ticket to London for the final. Advance quotas sold out half way through the first half, a surge in online interest that coincided with Longstaff’s fierce fifth minute strike.
No matter. Such is the yearning on Tyneside to be part of it, many would be prepared to walk from the North East to be part of the likely Geordie invasion of the capital. It is a sign of the Magpie metamorphosis that they will travel in expectation rather than just hope.
When is the Carabao Cup final?
The Carabao Cup final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 26 February.
The kick-off time is yet to be confirmed, but last year the showpiece between Liverpool and Chelsea started at 4.30pm UK time.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/zFCvOri
Post a Comment