Longstaff keeps Toon on course for glory
THE FA Cup could yet be reason for some of Newcastle United’s stars to stay beyond this month.
The Magpies were the only club in the land to plant a for-sale sign on their front lawn at the start of the transfer window and several players have been linked with moves.
It has had an unsettling impact on Eddie Howe’s dressing room — the manager says the situation is ‘not ideal’ — and one or two are thought to be open to an exit if a lucrative offer came along.
But the lure of a pot of gold will be competing with silverware after they made it to the last 16 of this competition for only the second time in 18 years.
They did it without playing particularly well but, for Howe, the result was all that mattered.
He needed this to keep alive a season that has run cold and a cup run can serve as a painkiller to the ills of the Premier League. Their only league victory since early December was against 10-man Fulham.
Marco Silva’s side again played as if depleted in number, especially during a second half in which they trailed to goals from Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn and looked resigned to defeat. Given that they made seven changes to their starting XI, perhaps that was the plan all along.
Newcastle’s team, by contrast, spoke of Howe’s determination to progress and was his strongest available. Missing was Miguel Almiron, wanted by clubs in Saudi Arabia, who was suffering from illness, according to Howe. Jamaal Lascelles, courted by Besiktas, had a calf injury. Their absence fuelled speculation among supporters, especially those hoping that one out equates to one in.
A midfielder is Howe’s wish and, on this evidence, you can see why. Before scoring their second on the hour, they struggled with control, be it of the ball or the game. In truth, it was a poor contest.
For the first 30 minutes, the Fulham boycotters were the lucky ones. Five thousand fans stayed away in protest at ticket prices starting at £40. Those who had paid were hardly getting value for money from either side.
The hosts had the better of it, just. Rodrigo Muniz managed two shots, one tipped around the post by Martin Dubravka and the other deflected wide off Sven Botman. At the other end, Jacob Murphy fired straight at Marek Rodak when clear on goal. This was his first game after a three-month shoulder injury lay-off and it showed.
At least Newcastle’s breakthrough on 39 minutes carried with it the drama of a VAR check.
Longstaff lashed in from 14 yards after a game of pinball inside the area, the last ricochet coming via the hand of team-mate Bruno Guimaraes.
Stockley Park had a good look but, correctly, decided Guimaraes was too close to the attempted clearance to avoid contact. Rodak was furious, not with the alleged infringement, more so with the defenders who had danced around the ball as if it were a grenade. They were not alone. Newcastle treated the ball as if it was an explosive at times in the first half and Guimaraes repeatedly found black and white shirts. Problem was, his team were in green.
Harry Wilson was the half’s best player and the game was worse for it when he was forced off because of injury just before the break. Fulham never recovered and the tie was as good as over in the 61st minute when Burn thumped Newcastle’s second.
Kieran Trippier, subject of three offers from Bayern Munich last week, loaded a corner from the right and Botman showed desire to get on the end of it. His header was stopped by Rodak, but Burn swept in the loose ball from two yards.
The last time he scored in a domestic cup for Newcastle they made it to Wembley as runners-up to Manchester United in last season’s Carabao Cup.
The dream of going one better is the priority for this campaign now.
FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak 6; Tete 6, Diop 6 (Tosin 71min, 5), Ream 5.5, Robinson 5.5; Reed 6 (Joao Palhinha (71, 5), Lukic 6, Pereira 5 (Cairney 65, 5); Wilson 7 (Willian 45, 5), Muniz 6.5, Decordova-Reid 6 (Jimenez 71, 5). Subs (not used): Benda, Castagne, Francois, Vinicius. NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Dubravka 7; Trippier 6.5 (Krafth 86), Schar 6.5, Botman 7, Burn 7.5; Longstaff 6.5, Guimaraes 6, Miley 6; Murphy 6 (Livramento 75), Isak 7, Gordon 6 (Ritchie 90). Booked: Schar. Subs (not used): Karius, Dummett, Hall, A Murphy, Parkinson, Hernes.
Referee: J Gillett (Australia) 7.