Holders Newcastle United booked a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time goal from 19-year-old Lewis Miley against Fulham. The quarter-final appeared destined for penalties after the scores were level late on, but the home side found a decisive moment at the death.
Holders Newcastle United booked a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time goal from 19-year-old Lewis Miley against Fulham. The quarter-final appeared destined for penalties after the scores were level late on, but the home side found a decisive moment at the death.
Yoane Wissa had earlier put Newcastle ahead during his first start since returning from a knee problem and completing his summer transfer from Brentford. The forward reacted quickest after Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte could only push Jacob Murphy’s cross into his path, finishing from close range.
Fulham responded swiftly. Antonee Robinson advanced down the flank and delivered a cross that found Sasa Lukic free in the box, and the midfielder powered a header beyond Aaron Ramsdale to restore parity.
With several defenders unavailable, including Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall, Dan Burn, and Tino Livramento, Miley was asked to operate at right-back and produced a mature display. His contribution proved decisive as he rose at the near post to meet Sandro Tonali’s corner in stoppage time, sending the crowd into celebration.
Newcastle made six changes from the weekend defeat to Sunderland, yet five players retained their places as Eddie Howe sought a reaction. Supporters loudly backed their manager throughout the evening, and the side kept pressing despite Fulham’s resistance.
Lecomte was busy in the closing stages, dealing with efforts from Bruno Guimaraes and Harvey Barnes, and later denying Miley with an excellent save. However, the goalkeeper could not prevent the youngster’s late header from the corner that followed.
The victory sent Newcastle into their third EFL Cup semi-final in four seasons, setting up a meeting with Manchester City. It also provided a timely lift after derby disappointment and followed another late goal from Miley, who had scored in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen only for Newcastle to concede afterwards.
For Fulham, the ending felt painfully familiar. Just weeks earlier they had lost at the same ground to a late Bruno Guimaraes strike in the league, and this defeat again came in the closing moments. Marco Silva’s team had opportunities on the counter, particularly in the first half, but failed to take advantage.
Despite the loss, Fulham showed character to respond quickly after falling behind, especially while missing Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze, who are away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
