Newcastle United marked their return to competitive action with a seventh straight win in all competitions with a narrow Carabao Cup victory over Bournemouth. An own-goal from Adam Smith was enough to book the Magpies a place in the last eight.
Eddie Howe's side will now focus on the resumption of the Premier League, with an away clash to come on Boxing Day against Leicester City. The Magpies head coach named a strong eleven for the Carabao Cup tie including the five players to return from the World Cup, but will likely have to rotate his squad over the coming weeks.
Newcastle could move into second place with a victory at the King Power Stadium, although champions Manchester City will hold two games in hand to overturn a one-point deficit. Howe's side will then host Leeds United on New Year's Eve, before beginning 2023 with a top of the table clash at Arsenal.
