Lewis Miley scored a stoppage-time winner to send Newcastle United past Fulham 2-1 and into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Newcastle, the holders, made a bright start at St James’ Park and went ahead in the 10th minute when Yoane Wissa scored his first goal for the club, turning in from close range after the Fulham goalkeeper could only parry a low cross back into danger. Fulham responded well and drew level six minutes later when Sasa Lukic powered home a header from Antonee Robinson’s delivery.
With the tie drifting towards penalties, Miley delivered the decisive moment two minutes into stoppage time. The 19-year-old rose highest to glance Sandro Tonali’s corner beyond the goalkeeper, sealing a dramatic win and sending Newcastle back into the last four.
Miley’s goal came after a testing evening defensively, with the midfielder filling in at right-back. Howe said the youngster’s calm reaction to the role switch had deserved its reward.
“The goal is for him really,” Howe said. “Lewy’s always level-headed and calm. When I told him this morning I was going to play him at right-back, his reaction was typical, he just nodded and said OK.
“It was one training session where we talked through what we wanted him to do. He did it for the team and did it in such a good way. I think you get rewarded for that, and his goal was that.
“He has got goals in him, especially aerially. He’s six foot four and should contribute. His physicality will only get better and you can see his technical quality. He has got a bright future.”
Newcastle were forced into changes after Lewis Hall was left out with hamstring tightness, and their problems deepened when Tino Livramento was forced off in the second half. Despite the disruption, Howe felt his side showed resilience.
The Magpies now face Manchester City in the semi-finals as they look to retain the trophy. “Whoever we were going to get was going to be difficult,” Howe said. “Manchester City are probably the hardest team we prepare for, but we’ve beaten them once this season and that was memorable. We’ll look forward to it.”
Fulham head coach Marco Silva was left frustrated by the late ending to their cup run. “It is very difficult to take,” Silva said. “To lose in the last moments from a set piece is tough. We reacted well to the early goal and matched the game in the first half, but the way we lost it hurts.”
