Newcastle United booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought home win over Bournemouth. The Magpies were rewarded for their sustained pressure with an own-goal from Adam Smith settling the fourth-round tie at St James' Park.
Eddie Howe named a strong starting eleven as Newcastle returned to competitive action, with Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Pope, Fabian Schar, Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson all starting despite featuring at the World Cup. The Magpies number nine thought he had opened the scoring in the first-half against his former side, only for the strike to be ruled out for offside against Joe Willock.
Miguel Almiron should have put the hosts ahead before the break, but it was Bournemouth full-back Smith who inadvertently broke the deadlock in the second half when he headed Trippier's cross into his own net. Pope was called upon late on to deny both Jack Stacey and Dominic Solanke, and the clean sheet ensured Newcastle progressed in the competition.
READ MORE: Newcastle United 1-0 Bournemouth: Magpies keep Wembley dream alive with narrow but deserved win
The Magpies return to Premier League action on Boxing Day with an away fixture at Leicester City, and will learn their quarter-final opponents on Thursday night following the conclusion of the tie between Manchester City and Liverpool. Here is how Newcastle United fans reacted to the narrow victory over Bournemouth.
@ShevasNUFC: "Would've taken that at the start of the day. Keep our form going and onto Boxing Day."
@jamespaulcurrey: "Through to next round,that's all that matters."
@1liambartlett: "Job done but sluggish, we will only improve as the games go on. Well done lads."
@JohnPaulBennet6: "Well done, difficult game after such a long break. Hopefully we can maintain our league form for a while longer, makes that Arsenal game way more interesting if we do!"
@SHARKEY_1993: "It wasn't pretty but we are through come on! Howay The Lads."
@Sprogit3: "Onwards and upwards for the mighty mags.. I love this club! Moving on up now."
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