Newcastle United Advances to Carabao Cup Semi-Finals with Dramatic Win Over Fulham

In a closely contested Carabao Cup quarter-final match on December 17, 2025, Newcastle United secured a 2-1 victory over Fulham at St James' Park. The match featured a late winner from 19-year-old Lewis Miley, who not only scored the decisive goal but also earned the title of player of the match for his overall performance, which included the most touches of any player on the field.

The Guardian

Newcastle took the lead with a goal from Miley, who expressed his joy post-match, stating, “It was a great feeling … I just thought I’d try to flick it on … lovely when it went into the back of the net … I was absolutely buzzing.” Fulham managed to equalize through Yoane Wissa, who scored his first goal for the club on his first start. Wissa shared his excitement, saying, “It’s top … I did enjoy today … quite happy today!”

The Guardian

Despite the match not showcasing the highest quality of football, it was characterized by hard-fought moments and dramatic turns. Newcastle's manager, Eddie Howe, praised his team's performance, noting, “We controlled the game … Fulham are a good team and had their moments but we deserved to win.” Howe also highlighted the importance of bouncing back after a previous defeat, emphasizing the team's desire to win trophies.

The Guardian

Following the match, Marco Silva, Fulham's manager, acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, stating, “It is difficult when you lose the way you lost … this season has been very tough for us … we wanted to be in the semi-finals.” He noted the disparity in squad depth between the two teams, remarking on Newcastle's ability to refresh their lineup.

The Guardian

Despite the victory, Newcastle's performance drew mixed reviews. Some observers noted that the match lacked fluidity and quality, with moments of tension and anxiety evident among the players and fans. The match statistics indicated that Newcastle had allowed ten goals in the last 15 minutes of their matches this season, raising concerns about their defensive stability.

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With this victory, Newcastle United progresses to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, joining Chelsea, Manchester City, and either Arsenal or Crystal Palace in the draw for the next round. The team aims to defend their title, having won the competition the previous season.

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• “It was a great feeling … I just thought I’d try to flick it on … lovely when it went into the back of the net … I was absolutely buzzing … we had a couple of chances that didn’t go in but that one did … it’s an unreal feeling … I grew up here … hopefully we can progress to the final … we won it last season and hopefully we can do it this year again … the last result wasn’t good for us but this tonight was good.” — Lewis Miley, Player of the Match

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• “Fulham are a good team and had their moments but we deserved to win …” — Eddie Howe, Newcastle United Manager

The Guardian

• “difficult when you lose the way you lost …” — Marco Silva, Fulham Manager

The Guardian

This match not only showcased the resilience of Newcastle United but also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Fulham as they continue their search for major silverware.

The Guardian