TOON CAN’T BUY A WIN
Ironside has 5,000 Cambridge fans in ecstas
JOE IRONSIDE inflicted one of the most humiliating FA Cup defeats in Newcastle’s history.
Toon, supposedly now the richest club in the world and owned by the wealthiest investment fund on the planet, were beaten by Cambridge United, who sit 16th in League One.
The U’s produced a heroic performance for their 5,000 travelling fans, against a disjointed, dispirited Eddie Howe side.
From striker Ironside, to keeper Dimitar Mitov, and every battling man in yellow in between, this was a major shock. Visitors’ coach Mark Bonner masterminded a brilliantly committed display, as hungry and aggressive as the Magpies were disinterested.
Defeat represents a fresh low point – puncturing the Tyneside optimism, and heaping scrutiny on Howe who has only managed one win in his nine games in charge.
By the 70th minute new-boy Kieran Trippier was swearing and cursing to himself.
The England international has swapped the La Liga champions, and last-16 of the Champions League, for this listless shambles.
Saudi Public Investment Fund boss Yasir Al-rumayyan was in the executive box seeing for himself the weaknesses in the squad he paid £305million to buy. Howe will hope not to be summoned for a Saudi dressing down.
It was hardly the advertisement Newcastle needed as they try to splash tens of millions this month and sign elite players for their Premier League relegation battle.
Amazingly, in the last 16 years, the Magpies have only gone beyond the FA Cup fourth round once.
It was Middlesbrough lad
Ironside who became Cambridge’s hero with his first goal in the com- petition. His 56th-minute effort
ed the Geordies. The eyman striker, 28, smashed
from six yards out after a cramble in the area with the home side failing to clear.
Ironside was a major andful all game with Fabian char and Emil Krafth given a working over by his physicality.
It took a three-and-a-half minute VAR check to allow he strike – with two
ambridge players looking ffside on the freeze-frame.
Ironside said: “I have got to lay here and it is the stuff I reamed of. Alan Shearer was
y hero, I grew up idolising him – now I have scored the winner at St James’ Park. It doesn’t matter how they go in, it could have been that or a worldie, I don’t care.
“We have all dug in together and it is a momentous day for the football club.”
Without the injured Callum Wilson up front, the home side lacked coherence in attack despite Mitov excelling to keep out three first-half chances.
The Bulgarian keeper also made a stunning injury-time stop from Joelinton. He said: “It is unbelievable what we just did today, but we always knew we had nothing to lose.
“We needed to be the best version of ourselves and that is what we did today. We always had that belief, look at how many supporters have come, we sold out.
“What a way to start the year. It is not quite down to me, if we don’t score we don’t win the game.
“But on a personal note I am really happy – this is why we play football, to play against the big boys, to play against the Premier League teams.”
Sub Jack Lankester looked to have doubled the lead in the last 10 minutes, but was ruled offside.
Cambridge boss Bonner (left), 36, said: “There is always a fairy tale and an upset in this competition, we always hoped it would be us. We rode our luck at times but the goalkeeper was outstanding.
“The fact we kept them at bay and kept a clean sheet is a major result for the team and the players and a great day out for the supporters too.”
“We have to make sure we keep growing and progressing this season.
“We have a game on Tuesday (at home against Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy) so we crack on and get ready for that.
“But these are moments we never forget because you don’t know how long it will be until you can enjoy the next one.”