Newcastle kept their Carabao Cup defence alive in dramatic fashion as teenager Lewis Miley headed home in stoppage time to earn a 2-1 victory over Fulham at St James’ Park and book a semi-final showdown with Manchester City.
Still feeling the aftershocks of their derby defeat at Sunderland, the Magpies produced a nervy but determined display and were ultimately rescued by a player barely old enough to remember the club’s long wait for silverware. Asked to fill in out of position at right-back, 19-year-old Miley delivered the decisive moment in the 92nd minute, glancing a corner beyond Benjamin Lecomte to send the home crowd into raptures.
Newcastle had started brightly and were rewarded early when Yoane Wissa marked his first start for the club with a poacher’s finish. Fulham goalkeeper Lecomte could only push a low effort straight into the striker’s path, allowing Wissa to tap in from close range and settle the home nerves.
That calm did not last long. Fulham, well organised and brave in possession, hit back just six minutes later. Antonee Robinson’s delivery from the left found Sasa Lukic completely unmarked in the box and the midfielder made no mistake, powering a header past the exposed Newcastle defence to level the contest.
From there the tie ebbed and flowed. Fulham enjoyed long spells of control and looked increasingly comfortable, while Newcastle huffed and puffed without finding a cutting edge. With penalties looming, Lecomte appeared to have forced extra time when he produced a sharp save to deny Miley late on.
Moments later, however, the same player had his redemption. Sandro Tonali’s corner found Miley peeling away at the near post and his deft header finally broke Fulham’s resistance, sealing Newcastle’s ninth straight Carabao Cup win in normal time and keeping alive their grip on the trophy that ended decades of frustration last season.
There was concern amid the celebrations as Tino Livramento limped off in the second half, adding to Eddie Howe’s growing defensive injury list ahead of a punishing festive schedule. Nevertheless, the result lifts the mood on Tyneside and sets up a daunting two-legged semi-final against Manchester City in the new year.
For Fulham, the disappointment was palpable. Marco Silva’s side competed admirably despite a stretched squad and will feel they deserved more for their efforts, but once again fell victim to Newcastle late drama at St James’ Park.
For Newcastle, it was another reminder of why cup football still holds such power — and why a fearless teenager can sometimes steal the biggest spotlight.
