Toon Tails Up As Miley Heads The Winner... And It's City Next in The SF

Finally, a stoppage time goal at the right end of the pitch as young eagle Lewis Miley soared skywards to head in Tonali's in-swinging corner and take us into the SF.

It wasn't a vintage Newcastle United performance but it was streets ahead of the shocker at Sunderland. Quality was lacking, but effort and desire was there in spades.

After a shaky start when Fulham's slick passing looked dangerous a fabulous pass by Schar saw Murphy hit a great first touch cross into the box that led to Wissa's goal.

Who cares if it was against the run of play; certainly not Wissa who took the acclaim of the crowd and his teammates like a King who had just been crowned.

Although still match rusty it didn't stop Wissa, as the game went on, from throwing his arms up more than once as his runs off defenders weren't followed by the right pass.

Shy bairns get nowt and Wissa berating the team and demanding the quick passes into space that he thrives on is exactly what is needed if that £55M is to pay big dividends.

Big changes to the team & a big change in attitude

With six changes from the team that faced Sunderland - causing raised eyebrows from many fans, me included - the new look team had the attitude that was missing on Sunday.

Miley at RB, a midfield of Bruno, Ramsey and Willock, and Wissa making a slightly unexpected start didn't inspire massive confidence that this was a team that would cruise through to the Carabou Cup semi-final.

It might not have been a cruise but there was a grit and determination to get the job done, and no player showed that more than Bruno who was inspirational.

This guy gives his heart and soul to the club in a way that is almost unique in my 60 years as a Newcastle United supporter.

Gutted after the Sunderland debacle Bruno was a tsunami of energy driving himself and the the team forward like a slave master on a galley ship. A captain supreme.

Tonali when he came on was like a man possessed. Charging around the pitch, hunting down Fulham players on the ball, and throwing them aside like a Sumo wrestler.

He capped it off with a brilliant in-swinging corner for Miley's winner and then stood in front of the East Stand crowd like a Gladiator who had just slain a pride of lions.

If Bruno and Tonali give a repeat performance against Chelsea , God help them.

All smiles from the head of Lewis Miley

For the second time in three games young eagle Lewis Miley soared into the sky and buried a header that the mighty Wyn Davies would have been proud of.

His smile was as wide as the Tyne as he bounced over like a kid on a trampoline to hug Tonali before being submerged in a sea of black and white shirts.

A seasoned midfield pro would be challenged if asked to play as an emergency RB, never mind for a kid who is still wet behind the ears in his career.

But, this is a young lad who exudes the calm and quiet confidence that usually only comes with vast experience and maturity. We could have a gem on our hands.

Miley reminds me of Michael Carrick, another Geordie, who in his pomp strode around controlling the midfield like a conductor on Proms Night at the Albert Hall.

Like Carrick, Miley isn't blessed with pace, but that didn't stop Carrick from being one of the best mids of his generation and Miley could yet be the Gen Z version at NUFC.

Could Miley be ready to step into Jo's boots? Over to you Eddie.

A downside to last night was another defensive injury, this time to Tino.

If he isn't fit for Chelsea Alex Murphy and Miley could be our two FB's.

Who would have thought that just a couple of weeks ago?

Whoever starts in the team we need the same attitude as last night, a few extra spoonfuls of skill and quality... and we can close the gap on Chelsea to just 3pts.

Last Post We Need To Step Up

All Posts