Forest 1-1 Newcastle (3-4 on pens): Toon squeeze through on Sandro Tonali's return
A tough night at the City Ground for Newcastle United, but one that ended in delight despite another poor display as Newcastle won 4-3 on penalties to advance to the 3rd round of the League Cup at Nottingham Forest's expense.
Joe Willock opened the scoring just 18 seconds in and Sandro Tonali impressed on his return. However, we lost our way, struggled to build on a superb start and were sent to spot kicks after Jota Silva's second half equaliser, where Sean Longstaff was the hero with our winning spot kick.
It was slightly morale-sapping from a performance point of view, but morale-boosting in the way it ended, with some brilliant scenes at the end of the game as Tonali had an emotional embrace with the traveling Toon Army after the shootout celebrations.
Celebrations aside, the lads appear to have lost the ability to control games away from home. Something which was evident last season and has continued so far this. A lack of pace, loss of defensive shape and huge gaps between the players means we lose the ability to dictate to our opponents, and we are often left chasing the game. Somehow, we are finding ways to get results, so hopefully when we do kick into gear, we will be a delight to watch.
For balance, I did think we ended the game strongly and looked the better side for the final 20 minutes, but it was a concern to see how we quickly lost control shortly after our early goal, especially up against a Forest B team who'd made 10 changes. It was a similar theme at Bournemouth on Sunday after our decent start on the South Coast.
Twitchiness amongst the fanbase on social media is sure to ramp up despite the result, and with two days left of the summer transfer window, be prepared for 48 hours of nonstop refreshing of Twitter/X and habitual watching of Sky Sports News for any shred of a crumb of information about new signings happening.
The gaffer rotated his line up making six changes to the team that started the draw with Bournemouth. Trippier, Hall, Tonali, Willock, Almiron and Barnes came into the starting eleven, in what was a strong team and a good show of squad depth.
A scintillating start to the game which had us reminiscing about the ‘intensity is our identity’ Mags when Willock netted after just 18 seconds, only for the feeling to be almost orgasmic when Tonali was sent through in the 3rd minute. Unfortunately, the keeper blocked the shot low down to his right. Tonali’s vision, pace and touch were evident (and we’ve clearly missed him), yet he was eclipsed by Joe Willock who was outstanding during his short cameo. It was gutting to see him limp off – hopefully the football gods will be kind.
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From Nottingham Forest’s kick off Newcastle got possession and Sandro Tonali played a forward pass to Miguel Almiron in the middle, he flicked a pass through to Isak on the right-hand side of the penalty area. Isak shot and Willock tapped in on the rebound.
Spared a deific serenading on his return from Sky Sports, Sandro’s chance came in the 3rd minute. More lovely passing, between Barnes, Willock, and Isak resulted in the Italian being clean through, this time it was an excellent save from Carlos Miguel on debut.
Willock took a knock after ten minutes and came back on to try and run it off. Unfortunately, he went off injured in the 15th minute. It was an unnecessary tackle from the Forest lad who clattered into him.
Forest pushed for the remainder of the half but apart from Nick Pope spilling onto Jota’s head, they didn’t create too much. But the last half an hour of the first half Newcastle struggled with giving the ball away in good positions and a lack of control when in possession, even though they looked dangerous on the counterattack.
The second half started with Isak taking a knock early but recovered well. Then Forest’s equaliser came in the 49th minute from a long throw. Jota, completely unmarked, smashed the ball in from eight yards on the half volley. A shocking goal to concede all round.
Nottingham Forest huffed and puffed and made things very uncomfortable for us, but their quality was lacking when compared to their fight. But as Forest tired, Newcastle finished strongly and had efforts through Hall, Gordon and Joelinton which brought saves from Carlos Miguel. But the obvious deficiencies remained in our game.
So, it was on to the lottery of penalties.
After Joelinton's miss, we were saved by two Forest misses and Sean Longstaff stroked home a calm winning penalty to send us through to the next round as the lads held their nerve. From staring down the barrel to the 3rd round - Newcastle certainly don’t do things the easy way. Phew!
The draw for the third round followed and we got Wimbledon, meaning a trip to the 8th-placed League Two side next month. No home tie, but a decent draw and big chance to progress.
Now for a signing, or two, and a big game against Spurs on Sunday. Let's hope that is a morale-boosting win that puts us in good stead for a tough test this weekend; although we'll have to be much better to beat Tottenham. HWTL.
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