EFL - Newcastle 1-0 Bournemouth - Match Report: Exploiting defensive errors

In Tuesday’s Carabao Cup Round of 16 game, the Magpies capitalized on Bournemouth’s full-back Adam Smith’s own goal in the 67th minute to secure the win and move forward to the quarter-finals.

Using the same successful starting XI that manager Eddie Howe has relied upon for the majority of this Premier League season, there were the familiar faces of Dan Burn on the left side of the defense with Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff starting in the midfield of the field at St James’ Park.

All five World Cup participants—Fabian Schar, Keiran Trippier, Callum Wilson, Nick Pope, and Bruno Guimaraes—returned to the team making it all the way to the starting lineup in their first game back.

It was a welcome sight after all their respective teams played additional games following the group stages.

While Newcastle dominated the possession throughout the match, there was a multitude of missed chances in the final third.

Midway through the first half, there was a defensive error between the Bournemouth center-backs that Wilson was able to put into the goal. Wilson’s celebration was muted, though, as he correctly anticipated a late offside flag that ultimately removed the goal from the scoreboard.

Later, in the waning minutes of the half, a cross coming from Burn on the left found a sprinting Miguel Almiron all by himself making contact right in front of the goal. The contact was unfortunately on his right foot, and he was not able to put any power on the ball.

Miggy’s season has been magical so far, but coming in from the right-hand side would make him even more dangerous if he could find a way to get some power on that right foot.

There was a close call later when Botman attempted a back heel clearance moving the wrong way. The meager touch on the ball fell right to Kieffer Moore on the top of the box but he failed to capitalize for Bournemouth.

Pope had to make a few minor saves, but Bournemouth’s overall chances were limited as Newcastle maintained most of the pressure and possession.

The postgame stats told the story of this match: 63% possession in favor of Newcastle, 512 to 302 in overall passes, 6 corners to 2, and 17 shots to 6 all favoring the Magpies.

It was a game where the clinical edge wasn’t there in the final third with a bunch of rusty bodies still around, but the constant pressure and crosses finally broke Bournemouth down when Smith bounced Trippier’s cross right into his own net.

Trippier had a fantastic game overall, routinely cutting up and in with Almiron higher up the right touchline constantly providing his services to both near and back posts.

Allain St. Maximin, Chris Wood, Jacob Murphy, and Jonjo Shelvey were subbed in later in the second half to close out the match in front of a reported 51,579 Newcastle faithful supporters.

Newcastle will find out their quarter-finals opponent following the final Round of 16 match between Liverpool and Man City on Thursday.