Newcastle United is marching on in the Carabao Cup, securing a convincing 1-0 victory over fourth-tier AFC Wimbledon in the third round. The victory sets up a tantalizing fourth-round matchup against Chelsea, offering Newcastle a chance to continue their impressive cup run.
The match, which was rescheduled due to severe flooding at Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium, was played a week later than originally planned at Newcastle’s St. James’ Park. A boisterous crowd of 51,739 witnessed Newcastle’s dominant performance, with manager Eddie Howe making eight changes to the starting lineup from their recent Premier League draw against Manchester City.
Despite the changes, Newcastle controlled the game from the outset, relentlessly pressing forward in search of an opening. The breakthrough finally came in the first-half stoppage time, as Fabian Schar coolly slotted home a penalty. The spot kick was awarded after a foul on Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron by Wimbledon defender Joe Pigott.
While the scoreline was relatively narrow, Newcastle’s dominance was evident throughout the match. The team’s fluid passing and tactical discipline proved too much for AFC Wimbledon, who struggled to create any meaningful chances.
The victory is a further indication of Newcastle’s growing confidence and ambition. They are now in a strong position to make a deep run in the Carabao Cup, with the potential for a clash against Chelsea promising to be a thrilling encounter.
