Carabao cup Semifinals Nescastle vs Southampton

           Newcastle took a huge step towards a place at Wembley by beating Southampton 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. Joelinton’s tap-in from substitute Alexander Isak’s cross was enough to seal the important win for Eddie Howe’s side.

Although the Saints did think they had pegged the Magpies back after Adam Armstrong bundled the ball home to equalise.

However, the goal was ruled out for handball before things got worse for the hosts as Duje Caleta-Car was sent off for a second yellow card.

Joelinton had a goal ruled out before missing a huge chance from close range but was still the hero in the end for the Magpies who came out on top at St Mary’s.

They now have one foot in the final at Wembley heading into next weeks second leg!

The second leg at St. James’ Park is in one week’s time, next Tuesday, Jan. 31. Southampton will face Blackpool in the 4th round of the FA Cup on Saturday, while Newcastle rest after going out to Sheffield Wednesday in the 3rd round.

Newcastle finally broke through in the 73rd minute after Alexander Isak turned and raced away from Duje Caleta-Car, who was later sent off in the 86th, before cutting the ball back toward the top of the six-yard box for the late-arriving Joelinton. The Brazilian shoot the ball past Gavin Bazunu to send the Geordie faithful behind the goal into rapturous celebrations, as they dream of a first major cup final appearance since the 1998-99 FA Cup (first League Cup final appearance since 1976), when they were beaten by treble-winning Manchester United.

Southampton were briefly level barely a minute after the restart, when Adam Armstrong got the final touch in a goal-mouth scramble, until video review showed the ball come off Armstrong’s hand and then his leg before going into the goal.

Newcastle’s determination about Carabao cup

Nathan Jones has Southampton just two points from safety and all is not lost in their quest to stay in the Premier League. But time is running out. Saints are less fun to watch right now as they’re working on being defensively solid. They have improved in that area but continue to concede goals from set-piece situations. They have to stop doing that. James Ward-Prowse continues to deliver goals at key moments but they really need new signings Carlos Alcaraz and Mislav Orsic to step up and deliver more quality in the final third. Saints will try to keep things tight ahead of the return game at Newcastle next Tuesday in Carabao cup.

Newcastle continue to be very solid defensively but Eddie Howe has admitted he is concerned by their lack of goals. The Magpies have scored just once in their last four Premier League games and have drawn three of their last four 0-0. With Chris Wood allowed to leave for Nottingham Forest last week, it seems like Newcastle are hoping Alexander Isak hits top form after his injury or they may dip into the transfer market for a new striker. Everyone expects Newcastle to advance from this semifinal and they will be looking to take a healthy lead back to St James’ Park for the second leg.

Theo Walcott is back, while Armel Bella-Kotchap is close to a return and Jan Bednarek has been recalled from his loan at Aston Villa to add experience to Saints’ center back ranks. Jones will rotate his squad heavily in the next few days amid these League Cup semifinals, an FA Cup fourth round tie against Blackpool sandwiched in-between and then a game away at Brentford. Saints badly need Che Adams to regain his scoring touch, while the likes of Moussa Djenepo, Sekou Mara and Orsic are all likely to start this game.