Newcastle just need a draw or a loss by one goal against Arsenal in today’s second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at St. James’ Park. The lads take a 2-0 lead from the first leg into tonight’s highly-anticipated match.
This is the team Eddie Howe has named for the cup clash with what looks to be a change of formation to a 5-2-3.
HOWAY THE LADS! ? pic.twitter.com/xW2OJnDbdN
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) February 5, 2025
Arsenal is unchanged from their 5-1 trouncing of Man City on Sunday. This will be a difficult test with Howe seemingly opting to preserve the 2-0 lead. Whether that is wise remains to be seen.
Howay The Lads!
567 comments so far
Poet Of Prudhoe Park
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Comment #161By the way willock was shit again
Munster Mag
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Comment #162Davas I noticed same with Botman. But he was laughing so maybe a week or two off max.
Unbelievable win. My daughter watched with me because the kid had hurling and he was quite nervous about watching.
Even she noticed the massive Arsenal love in.
Does anyone advise Sky on PR or image ?
Utter fools
Munster Mag
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Comment #163Magic, I need tomorrow to be Saturday. 🙂
Poet Of Prudhoe Park
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Comment #164If Eddie wins cup he should get 5 year contract
stan anderson
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Comment #165Mom Trippier for me.Great team performance.
Wembley bound.
lochinvar
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Comment #166At the end of the match Tripps offers the Captains arm band to Bruno for the pitch walkabout.
Bruno told him to keep it on.
Band of brothers.
Blaydon Races
Local Hero and Jonny Bluehat – exceptional
Geordie boys taking the piss
134 bars within 1mile of the ground
and the rest.
No other club has a pedigree like ours
lochinvar
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Comment #167Regan
Best part of 48hours on the razz if you have a late shift Friday.
Enjoy.
lochinvar
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Comment #168Some true Arsenal fans on the radio accepting that they were second best and want us to beat Spurs or Liverpool as they despise both !
lochinvar
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Comment #169Cheik Tiote’s lad Raphael wearing a 24 shirt was a mascot tonight at the match.
His Dad only scored one goal in 139 appearances against Arsenal in the memorable 4-4 draw …..which was on the 5th February !
Humbling
JohnJ
Feb 6, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Comment #170lochinvar
Feb 5, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Comment #157
“Apparently VAR officials got it wrong for Isak’s goal.
Not offside. Suspicious”
As I said earlier – It certainly did not look offside to me! Isak was in line, not past the Arsenal defenders!
But never mind we beat them 2 – 0 home & away! Get in!!!
magicmac54
Feb 6, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Comment #171Munster Mag
I detect a very happy and contented young Treaty man tonight 😀 😀
This bottle of wine is going down rather well tonight, i wonder how young Regan is getting on 😀
HWTL
scott
Feb 6, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Comment #172lochinvar
Why have you closed 40 pubs @ 166? 😉
magicmac54
Feb 6, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Comment #173What a perfect day indeed.
https://youtu.be/BWQLLK7EupE?si=L6wCjcpaZ8HIoHf_
Davas
Feb 6, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Comment #174Looking forward to the match cam for this game 🙂
catchy in norway
Feb 6, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Comment #175Special mention for Murphy tonight, he took that goal well, it was a difficult chance. Well done. Also didn’t think Isak was offside,
lesh
Feb 6, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Comment #176Here’s a paragraph from a Grauniad piece:
‘When the final whistle blew Newcastle had reached a second Carabao Cup final in three seasons but, right from the start, Arsenal’s manager and his players were thoroughly second-guessed by the smartest of second-leg tactical blueprints.’
Well done Mr Howe
lesh
Feb 6, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Comment #177magicmac54
Nice one @273
Not another deJong
Feb 6, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Comment #178If two negatives make a positive, always losing to Liverpool and always losing at Wembley will cancel each other out.
Not another deJong
Feb 6, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Comment #179When I saw the line up last night I was pleased that Eddie had gone with a defensive formation and for the first 15 minutes it proved very worthwhile. What I did not expect was for us to defend the edge of their penalty area, but that also worked greatly and stopped them producing any real threat.
Not another deJong
Feb 6, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Comment #180I missed the pre-match black n white stripes on the pitch.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cg7z39gyjjyt?post=asset%3A29299d20-7fe6-4991-aa90-8cc025f66c69#post
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Comment #181@NADJ
It was very pleasing to see us play a 3 at the back the players looked really comfortable doing it
Sometimes I think we can overplay at times and get caught on the counter (last 2 home games) but this formation helped us keep the width and go direct which negated Arsenal’s high press
I thought Trippier had his best game in close to 2 years is it a coincidence that it was in a 3 at the back? Hall as well looked a lot more solid than recent games
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Comment #182Also the commentary team just sending love letters to Isak from Arsenal in a lot of the match was sickening
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such blatant pimping out of a player ever over a season?
I mean Declan Rice at West Ham he got similar treatment but it wasn’t open love letters to just Arsenal it’s like the media is willing him to play there maybe cause he plays in a similar way to Henry I don’t know
jimiley
Feb 6, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Comment #183Thank God Eddie chose Hall over Willock who was ineffective again.
Nobody saw that one. Stroke of genius
jimiley
Feb 6, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Comment #184They can have Isak for 200 million.
Every player has a price.
Just pay up or shut up.
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 6, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Comment #185What a night that was.
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 6, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Comment #186Nadj,
Check out my video on Discord.
jimiley
Feb 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Comment #187The goal was not offside.
It depends where you draw the line. They drew it one the wrong side of his armpit.
Ridiculous rule. It should be based on the position of the feet rather than a nipple leaning forward
Munster Mag
Feb 6, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Comment #188Magic, my head is fooked this morning. I’m considering putting in for a day off!
Last night was Eddie’s best tactical move since he came here. Immense performance from him and the lads.
The Sky commentary, especially by Neville was so biased it was beyond words
Munster Mag
Feb 6, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Comment #189Jail were you there? The atmosphere was insane on tv. Stupidly I didn’t video it 🙁
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 6, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Comment #190Brilliant result
Crowd brilliant
Team – thought they struggled first half to get to grip with five at the back especially Burn. Players had to talk to each other on what they were meant to be doing but once they got it sorted were a lot better.
Midfield struggled also without three recognised midfielders gave the ball away all to easy. Apart from that shouldn’t complain
Botman and Trippier outstanding – not far behind was Isak, Drubs and Gordon
jimiley
Feb 6, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Comment #191Isak for me and Tonali.
We have the best 9 and 6 in league. Tonali has pace power and ability on ball.
They are our super purples.
jimiley
Feb 6, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Comment #192Tonali is different class to Rice.
Rice is the 50 mil player and Tonali 100 plus.
My favourite in the team. Gives solidity to whole midfield.
jimiley
Feb 6, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Comment #193Let’s hope we get Spurs. Liverpool is the best team in Europe and nobody would want to play them out the two semi finalists.
We’ve had enough tough draws
JaveaToon
Feb 6, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Comment #194Rice is a championship standard midfielder in comparison to Tonali!
Hibbit
Feb 6, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Comment #195morning all
what a great night with an outstanding team performance with Tripp’s Motm for me, played a captains game for me , and the atmosphere completely off the richter scale, Eddie nailed it with his set up and tactics, and a huge thank you to Wor Flags what a show they put on,
Rotonda heights
Feb 6, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Comment #196I’ve just had a full knee replacement operation and until yesterday I was moping about, feeling depressed and in a lot of pain. After that result last night I’m absolutely walking on sunshine, albeit with a couple of crutches !!!!!!
I was there in 76 watching Denis Tueart’s overhead kick and bizarrely a few months later I was playing against Mike Mahoney in California. Small world.
However, back then my auntie worked in the club shop and got us tickets. Zero chance I could get any, anywhere this time around I imagine.
I know a couple of the older gents on here were saying about NUFC winning something before they pop off and at 63 I know exactly where they’re coming from. I’m not sure how I would know how to react if NUFC did actually win this Carabao cup. How would you actually quantify it in real terms? For me personally it would be huge.
Rotonda heights
Feb 6, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Comment #197I really like playing with a sweeper, ie 3 x CB’s, but I suspect that was a one off last night to cope with Arsenal’s aerial threat at set pieces. Wouldn’t mind seeing it again though as we looked a lot more secure.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 6, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Comment #198Be interesting to see what the team sheet is on Saturday that’s for sure!!
Was thinking heavy rotation but honestly I struggled to cobble together a full 11 out of players
Pope
Tino
Kraft
Burn will need to play
Targett
Longstaff
Miley
Willock
Osula
Then 2 slots which could be filled by Wilson and who else? We have no backup winger Sanusi injured also i think ?
simon376
Feb 6, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Comment #199Something on radio about someone banned for final were interviewing Gordon, is that the case someone banned?
Adamn_92
Feb 6, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Comment #200Wow, what an amazing game/night!
Every single one in the team had a blinder and Howe got the tactics absolutely spot on. So hard to choose a potm.
Some shout outs though for sure in no particular order…
Dubs. Helped nullify the set pieces that are Arsenals main threat. Was positive in coming to claim corners, catching or punching the delivery away. Distribution was again calm and accurate and when called into action, was faultless. Also shout out to the players for being strong on corner and not allowing Dubs to be pinned in.
Trippier. Back to his absolute best, full on sh1thousery from the first minute (we need that back more, be horrible to play against), was defensively solid, used the ball well and was a leader on the pitch hyping up the players and barking orders. Was great to see him back at his best.
Schar. Was given the job of not allowing Rice time or space to play, follow him and press him no matter where he goes. Led to Gordons goal, shows amazing athleticism to track him all the way to their own area and followed Howe’s instructions to the letter. Amazing defensively as well.
Isak. Saliba and Gabriel have absolutely no idea how to cope with him. They were confused and rattled from the start. He’s in their head. Everytime he plays against them, they have no idea and it disrupts their whole defence and makes them look nervous. No other player does this. Not even Haaland. Shows just how pure class Isak is.
Gordon. Tireless running, gave their defence all sorts of problems and the combination of him and Isaks movement and pressing, made their defence nervous all game. His usual non-stop and impressive self.
Tonali. Quiet game overall, but still super effective. Can see his task was to be close to Odegaard and stop his influence. Other than a couple of moments in the first half, Odegaard was basically non-existant. Especially in the second half where I’m struggling to remember him even being mentioned by commentary. Quietly nullified Arsenals most influential player.
Overall, the entire team was fantastic though and feels wrong to single out any one player for potm. The entire team and coaching staff deserve it, as that was about as perfect of a game you can get performance and tactics wise.